7ec91d859258a5036cdd58c1378f180905d7bbb2
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3 @c
4 @c %**start of header
5 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
6 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
7 @setfilename gdb.info
8 @c
9 @c man begin INCLUDE
10 @include gdb-cfg.texi
11 @c man end
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @c To avoid file-name clashes between index.html and Index.html, when
24 @c the manual is produced on a Posix host and then moved to a
25 @c case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows), we separate the
26 @c indices into two: Concept Index and all the rest.
27 @syncodeindex ky fn
28 @syncodeindex tp fn
29
30 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
31 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
32 @syncodeindex vr fn
33
34 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
35 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
36 @set EDITION Tenth
37
38 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
39 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
40
41 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
42
43 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
44 @c manuals to an info tree.
45 @dircategory Software development
46 @direntry
47 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
48 @end direntry
49
50 @copying
51 @c man begin COPYRIGHT
52 Copyright @copyright{} 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
53
54 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
55 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
56 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
57 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
58 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
59 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
60
61 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
62 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
63 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
64 @c man end
65 @end copying
66
67 @ifnottex
68 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
69
70 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
71 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
72 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
73 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
74 @end ifset
75 Version @value{GDBVN}.
76
77 @insertcopying
78 @end ifnottex
79
80 @titlepage
81 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
82 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
85 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
86 @sp 1
87 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
88 @end ifset
89 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
90 @page
91 @tex
92 {\parskip=0pt
93 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
94 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
95 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
96 }
97 @end tex
98
99 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
100 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
101 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
102 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
103 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
104
105 @insertcopying
106 @end titlepage
107 @page
108
109 @ifnottex
110 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
111
112 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
113
114 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
115
116 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
117 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
118 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
119 @end ifset
120 Version @value{GDBVN}.
121
122 Copyright (C) 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
123
124 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
125 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
126 software in general. We will miss him.
127
128 @menu
129 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
130 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
131
132 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
133 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
134 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
135 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
136 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
137 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
138 * Stack:: Examining the stack
139 * Source:: Examining source files
140 * Data:: Examining data
141 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
142 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
143 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
144 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
145
146 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
147
148 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
149 * Altering:: Altering execution
150 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
151 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
152 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
153 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
154 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
155 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
156 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
157 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
158 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
159 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
160 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
161 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
162 * In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
163
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
167 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
168 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
169 @end ifset
170 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
171 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
172 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
173 @end ifclear
174 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
175 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
176 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
177 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
178 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
179 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
180 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
181 @value{GDBN}
182 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
183 the operating system
184 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
185 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
186 * Man Pages:: Manual pages
187 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
188 how you can copy and share GDB
189 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
190 * Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
191 * Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
192 functions, and Python data types
193 @end menu
194
195 @end ifnottex
196
197 @contents
198
199 @node Summary
200 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
201
202 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
203 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
204 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
205
206 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
207 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
208
209 @itemize @bullet
210 @item
211 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
212
213 @item
214 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
215
216 @item
217 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
218
219 @item
220 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
221 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
222 @end itemize
223
224 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
225 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
226 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
227
228 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
229 @ref{D,,D}.
230
231 @cindex Modula-2
232 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
233 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
234
235 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
236 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
237
238 @cindex Pascal
239 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
240 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
241 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
242 syntax.
243
244 @cindex Fortran
245 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
246 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
247 underscore.
248
249 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
250 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
251
252 @menu
253 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
254 * Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
255 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
256 @end menu
257
258 @node Free Software
259 @unnumberedsec Free Software
260
261 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
262 General Public License
263 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
264 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
265 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
266 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
267 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
268 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
269
270 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
271 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
272 from anyone else.
273
274 @node Free Documentation
275 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
276
277 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
278 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
279 include with the free software. Many of our most important
280 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
281 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
282 when an important free software package does not come with a free
283 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
284 gaps today.
285
286 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
287 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
288 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
289 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
290 them from the free software world.
291
292 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
293 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
294 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
295 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
296 contract to make it non-free.
297
298 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
299 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
300 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
301 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
302 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
303 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
304 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
305
306 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
307 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
308 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
309 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
310
311 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
312 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
313 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
314 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
315 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
316 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
317 community.
318
319 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
320 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
321 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
322 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
323 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
324 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
325 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
326 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
327 of the manual.
328
329 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
330 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
331 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
332 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
333 manual to replace it.
334
335 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
336 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
337 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
338 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
339 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
340 the free software community.
341
342 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
343 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
344 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
345 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
346 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
347 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
348 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
349 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
350 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
351
352 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
353 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
354 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
355 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
356 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
357 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
358 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
359 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
360
361 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
362 published by other publishers, at
363 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
364
365 @node Contributors
366 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
367
368 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
369 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
370 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
371 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
372 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
373 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
374 blow-by-blow account.
375
376 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
377
378 @quotation
379 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
380 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
381 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
382 @end quotation
383
384 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
385 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
386 releases:
387 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
388 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
389 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
390 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
391 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
392 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
393 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
394 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
395 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
396
397 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
398 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
399
400 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
401 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
402 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
403 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
404 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
405
406 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
407 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
408 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
409
410 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
411 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
412
413 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
414
415 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
416 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
417 support.
418 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
419 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
420 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
421 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
422 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
423 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
424 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
425 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
426 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
427 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
428 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
429 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
430 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
431 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
432 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
433 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
434
435 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
436
437 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
438 libraries.
439
440 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
441 about several machine instruction sets.
442
443 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
444 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
445 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
446 and RDI targets, respectively.
447
448 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
449 command-line editing and command history.
450
451 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
452 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
453
454 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
455 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
456 symbols.
457
458 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
459 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
460
461 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
462
463 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
464 processors.
465
466 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
467
468 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
469
470 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
471
472 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
473 watchpoints.
474
475 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
476
477 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
478
479 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
480 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
481
482 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
483 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
484 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
485 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
486 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
487 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
488 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
489
490 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
491 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
492
493 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
494 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
495 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
496 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
497 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
498 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
499 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
500 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
501 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
502 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
503 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
504 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
505 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
506 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
507 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
508
509 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
510 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
511
512 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
513 Hat.
514
515 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
516 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
517 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
518 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
519 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
520 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
521
522 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
523 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
524 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
525 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
526 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
527 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
528 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
529 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
530 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
531 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
532 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
533 Weigand.
534
535 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
536 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
537 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
538 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
539
540 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
541 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
542
543 @node Sample Session
544 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
545
546 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
547 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
548 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
549
550 @iftex
551 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
552 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
553 @end iftex
554
555 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
556 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
557
558 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
559 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
560 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
561 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
562 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
563 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
564 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
565 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
566 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
567
568 @smallexample
569 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
570 $ @b{./m4}
571 @b{define(foo,0000)}
572
573 @b{foo}
574 0000
575 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
576
577 @b{bar}
578 0000
579 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
580
581 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
582 @b{baz}
583 @b{Ctrl-d}
584 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
585 @end smallexample
586
587 @noindent
588 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
589
590 @smallexample
591 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
592 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
593 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
594 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
595 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
596 the conditions.
597 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
598 for details.
599
600 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
601 (@value{GDBP})
602 @end smallexample
603
604 @noindent
605 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
606 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
607 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
608 that examples fit in this manual.
609
610 @smallexample
611 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
612 @end smallexample
613
614 @noindent
615 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
616 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
617 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
618 @code{break} command.
619
620 @smallexample
621 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
622 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
623 @end smallexample
624
625 @noindent
626 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
627 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
628 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
629
630 @smallexample
631 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
632 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
633 @b{define(foo,0000)}
634
635 @b{foo}
636 0000
637 @end smallexample
638
639 @noindent
640 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
641 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
642 context where it stops.
643
644 @smallexample
645 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
646
647 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
648 at builtin.c:879
649 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
650 @end smallexample
651
652 @noindent
653 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
654 the next line of the current function.
655
656 @smallexample
657 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
658 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
659 : nil,
660 @end smallexample
661
662 @noindent
663 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
664 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
665 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
666 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
667
668 @smallexample
669 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
670 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
671 at input.c:530
672 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
673 @end smallexample
674
675 @noindent
676 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
677 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
678 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
679 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
680 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
681 stack frame for each active subroutine.
682
683 @smallexample
684 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
685 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
686 at input.c:530
687 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
688 at builtin.c:882
689 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
690 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
691 at macro.c:71
692 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
693 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
694 @end smallexample
695
696 @noindent
697 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
698 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
699 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
700
701 @smallexample
702 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
703 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
704 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
705 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
706 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
707 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
708 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
709 : xstrdup(rq);
710 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
711 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
712 @end smallexample
713
714 @noindent
715 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
716 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
717 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
718 (@code{print}) to see their values.
719
720 @smallexample
721 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
722 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
723 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
724 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
725 @end smallexample
726
727 @noindent
728 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
729 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
730 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
731
732 @smallexample
733 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
734 533 xfree(rquote);
735 534
736 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
737 : xstrdup (lq);
738 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
739 : xstrdup (rq);
740 537
741 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
742 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
743 540 @}
744 541
745 542 void
746 @end smallexample
747
748 @noindent
749 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
750 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
751
752 @smallexample
753 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
754 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
755 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
756 540 @}
757 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
758 $3 = 9
759 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
760 $4 = 7
761 @end smallexample
762
763 @noindent
764 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
765 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
766 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
767 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
768 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
769 assignments.
770
771 @smallexample
772 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
773 $5 = 7
774 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
775 $6 = 9
776 @end smallexample
777
778 @noindent
779 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
780 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
781 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
782 example that caused trouble initially:
783
784 @smallexample
785 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
786 Continuing.
787
788 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
789
790 baz
791 0000
792 @end smallexample
793
794 @noindent
795 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
796 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
797 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
798
799 @smallexample
800 @b{Ctrl-d}
801 Program exited normally.
802 @end smallexample
803
804 @noindent
805 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
806 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
807 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
808
809 @smallexample
810 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
811 @end smallexample
812
813 @node Invocation
814 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
815
816 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
817 The essentials are:
818 @itemize @bullet
819 @item
820 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
821 @item
822 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
823 @end itemize
824
825 @menu
826 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
827 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
828 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
829 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
830 @end menu
831
832 @node Invoking GDB
833 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
834
835 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
836 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
837
838 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
839 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
840
841 The command-line options described here are designed
842 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
843 options may effectively be unavailable.
844
845 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
846 specifying an executable program:
847
848 @smallexample
849 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
850 @end smallexample
851
852 @noindent
853 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
854 specified:
855
856 @smallexample
857 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
858 @end smallexample
859
860 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
861 to debug a running process:
862
863 @smallexample
864 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
865 @end smallexample
866
867 @noindent
868 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
869 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
870
871 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
872 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
873 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
874 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
875 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
876
877 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
878 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
879 option processing.
880 @smallexample
881 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
882 @end smallexample
883 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
884 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
885
886 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
887 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
888
889 @smallexample
890 @value{GDBP} -silent
891 @end smallexample
892
893 @noindent
894 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
895 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
896
897 @noindent
898 Type
899
900 @smallexample
901 @value{GDBP} -help
902 @end smallexample
903
904 @noindent
905 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
906 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
907
908 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
909 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
910 @samp{-x} option is used.
911
912
913 @menu
914 * File Options:: Choosing files
915 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
916 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
917 @end menu
918
919 @node File Options
920 @subsection Choosing Files
921
922 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
923 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
924 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
925 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
926 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
927 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
928 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
929 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
930 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
931 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
932 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
933 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
934 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
935
936 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
937 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
938 argument and ignore it.
939
940 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
941 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
942 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
943 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
944 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
945
946 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
947 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
948 @c it.
949
950 @table @code
951 @item -symbols @var{file}
952 @itemx -s @var{file}
953 @cindex @code{--symbols}
954 @cindex @code{-s}
955 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
956
957 @item -exec @var{file}
958 @itemx -e @var{file}
959 @cindex @code{--exec}
960 @cindex @code{-e}
961 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
962 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
963
964 @item -se @var{file}
965 @cindex @code{--se}
966 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
967 file.
968
969 @item -core @var{file}
970 @itemx -c @var{file}
971 @cindex @code{--core}
972 @cindex @code{-c}
973 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
974
975 @item -pid @var{number}
976 @itemx -p @var{number}
977 @cindex @code{--pid}
978 @cindex @code{-p}
979 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
980
981 @item -command @var{file}
982 @itemx -x @var{file}
983 @cindex @code{--command}
984 @cindex @code{-x}
985 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
986 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
987 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
988
989 @item -eval-command @var{command}
990 @itemx -ex @var{command}
991 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
992 @cindex @code{-ex}
993 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
994
995 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
996 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
997
998 @smallexample
999 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
1000 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1001 @end smallexample
1002
1003 @item -init-command @var{file}
1004 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1005 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1006 @cindex @code{-ix}
1007 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1008 after loading gdbinit files).
1009 @xref{Startup}.
1010
1011 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1012 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1013 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1014 @cindex @code{-iex}
1015 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1016 after loading gdbinit files).
1017 @xref{Startup}.
1018
1019 @item -directory @var{directory}
1020 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1021 @cindex @code{--directory}
1022 @cindex @code{-d}
1023 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1024
1025 @item -r
1026 @itemx -readnow
1027 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1028 @cindex @code{-r}
1029 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1030 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1031 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1032
1033 @end table
1034
1035 @node Mode Options
1036 @subsection Choosing Modes
1037
1038 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1039 batch mode or quiet mode.
1040
1041 @table @code
1042 @anchor{-nx}
1043 @item -nx
1044 @itemx -n
1045 @cindex @code{--nx}
1046 @cindex @code{-n}
1047 Do not execute commands found in any initialization file.
1048 There are three init files, loaded in the following order:
1049
1050 @table @code
1051 @item @file{system.gdbinit}
1052 This is the system-wide init file.
1053 Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit}
1054 configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1055 It is loaded first when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line options
1056 have been processed.
1057 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}
1058 This is the init file in your home directory.
1059 It is loaded next, after @file{system.gdbinit}, and before
1060 command options have been processed.
1061 @item @file{./.gdbinit}
1062 This is the init file in the current directory.
1063 It is loaded last, after command line options other than @code{-x} and
1064 @code{-ex} have been processed. Command line options @code{-x} and
1065 @code{-ex} are processed last, after @file{./.gdbinit} has been loaded.
1066 @end table
1067
1068 For further documentation on startup processing, @xref{Startup}.
1069 For documentation on how to write command files,
1070 @xref{Command Files,,Command Files}.
1071
1072 @anchor{-nh}
1073 @item -nh
1074 @cindex @code{--nh}
1075 Do not execute commands found in @file{~/.gdbinit}, the init file
1076 in your home directory.
1077 @xref{Startup}.
1078
1079 @item -quiet
1080 @itemx -silent
1081 @itemx -q
1082 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1083 @cindex @code{--silent}
1084 @cindex @code{-q}
1085 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1086 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1087
1088 @item -batch
1089 @cindex @code{--batch}
1090 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1091 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1092 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1093 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1094 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1095 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1096 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1097
1098 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1099 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1100 make this more useful, the message
1101
1102 @smallexample
1103 Program exited normally.
1104 @end smallexample
1105
1106 @noindent
1107 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1108 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1109 mode.
1110
1111 @item -batch-silent
1112 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1113 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1114 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1115 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1116 for an interactive session.
1117
1118 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1119 messages, for example.
1120
1121 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1122 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1123
1124 @item -return-child-result
1125 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1126 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1127 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1128
1129 @itemize @bullet
1130 @item
1131 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1132 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1133 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1134 @item
1135 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1136 @item
1137 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1138 the exit code will be -1.
1139 @end itemize
1140
1141 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1142 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1143 interface.
1144
1145 @item -nowindows
1146 @itemx -nw
1147 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1148 @cindex @code{-nw}
1149 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1150 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1151 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1152
1153 @item -windows
1154 @itemx -w
1155 @cindex @code{--windows}
1156 @cindex @code{-w}
1157 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1158 used if possible.
1159
1160 @item -cd @var{directory}
1161 @cindex @code{--cd}
1162 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1163 instead of the current directory.
1164
1165 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1166 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1167 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1168 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1169 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1170
1171 @item -fullname
1172 @itemx -f
1173 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1174 @cindex @code{-f}
1175 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1176 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1177 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1178 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1179 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1180 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1181 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1182 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1183 frame.
1184
1185 @item -annotate @var{level}
1186 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1187 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1188 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1189 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1190 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1191 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1192 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1193 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1194 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1195
1196 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1197 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1198
1199 @item --args
1200 @cindex @code{--args}
1201 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1202 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1203 This option stops option processing.
1204
1205 @item -baud @var{bps}
1206 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1207 @cindex @code{--baud}
1208 @cindex @code{-b}
1209 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1210 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1211
1212 @item -l @var{timeout}
1213 @cindex @code{-l}
1214 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1215 for remote debugging.
1216
1217 @item -tty @var{device}
1218 @itemx -t @var{device}
1219 @cindex @code{--tty}
1220 @cindex @code{-t}
1221 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1222 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1223
1224 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1225 @item -tui
1226 @cindex @code{--tui}
1227 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1228 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1229 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1230 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1231 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1232 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1233
1234 @c @item -xdb
1235 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1236 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1237 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1238 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1239 @c systems.
1240
1241 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1242 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1243 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1244 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1245 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1246 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1247
1248 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1249 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1250 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1251 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1252 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1253 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1254
1255 @item -write
1256 @cindex @code{--write}
1257 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1258 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1259 (@pxref{Patching}).
1260
1261 @item -statistics
1262 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1263 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1264 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1265
1266 @item -version
1267 @cindex @code{--version}
1268 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1269 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1270
1271 @item -configuration
1272 @cindex @code{--configuration}
1273 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print details about its build-time
1274 configuration parameters, and then exit. These details can be
1275 important when reporting @value{GDBN} bugs (@pxref{GDB Bugs}).
1276
1277 @end table
1278
1279 @node Startup
1280 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1281 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1282
1283 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1284
1285 @enumerate
1286 @item
1287 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1288 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1289
1290 @item
1291 @cindex init file
1292 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1293 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1294 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1295 that file.
1296
1297 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1298 @item
1299 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1300 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1301 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1302 that file.
1303
1304 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1305 @item
1306 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1307 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1308 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1309 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1310 gets loaded.
1311
1312 @item
1313 Processes command line options and operands.
1314
1315 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1316 @item
1317 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1318 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1319 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1320 This is only done if the current directory is
1321 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1322 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1323 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1324 @value{GDBN}.
1325
1326 @item
1327 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1328 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1329 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1330 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1331
1332 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1333 you must do something like the following:
1334
1335 @smallexample
1336 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1337 @end smallexample
1338
1339 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1340 off too late.
1341
1342 @item
1343 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1344 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1345 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1346
1347 @item
1348 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1349 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1350 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1351 @end enumerate
1352
1353 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1354 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1355 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1356 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1357 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1358 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1359
1360 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1361 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1362
1363 @cindex init file name
1364 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1365 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1366 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1367 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1368 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1369 port of @value{GDBN} uses the standard name, but if it finds a
1370 @file{gdb.ini} file in your home directory, it warns you about that
1371 and suggests to rename the file to the standard name.
1372
1373
1374 @node Quitting GDB
1375 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1376 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1377 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1378
1379 @table @code
1380 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1381 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1382 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1383 @itemx q
1384 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1385 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1386 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1387 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1388 error code.
1389 @end table
1390
1391 @cindex interrupt
1392 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1393 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1394 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1395 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1396 until a time when it is safe.
1397
1398 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1399 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1400 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1401
1402 @node Shell Commands
1403 @section Shell Commands
1404
1405 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1406 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1407 just use the @code{shell} command.
1408
1409 @table @code
1410 @kindex shell
1411 @kindex !
1412 @cindex shell escape
1413 @item shell @var{command-string}
1414 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1415 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1416 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1417 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1418 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1419 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1420 @end table
1421
1422 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1423 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1424 @value{GDBN}:
1425
1426 @table @code
1427 @kindex make
1428 @cindex calling make
1429 @item make @var{make-args}
1430 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1431 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1432 @end table
1433
1434 @node Logging Output
1435 @section Logging Output
1436 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1437 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1438
1439 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1440 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1441
1442 @table @code
1443 @kindex set logging
1444 @item set logging on
1445 Enable logging.
1446 @item set logging off
1447 Disable logging.
1448 @cindex logging file name
1449 @item set logging file @var{file}
1450 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1451 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1452 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1453 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1454 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1455 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1456 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1457 @kindex show logging
1458 @item show logging
1459 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1460 @end table
1461
1462 @node Commands
1463 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1464
1465 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1466 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1467 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1468 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1469 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1470
1471 @menu
1472 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1473 * Completion:: Command completion
1474 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1475 @end menu
1476
1477 @node Command Syntax
1478 @section Command Syntax
1479
1480 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1481 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1482 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1483 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1484 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1485 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1486
1487 @cindex abbreviation
1488 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1489 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1490 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1491 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1492 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1493 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1494 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1495
1496 @cindex repeating commands
1497 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1498 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1499 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1500 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1501 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1502 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1503 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1504
1505 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1506 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1507 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1508
1509 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1510 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1511 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1512 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1513 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1514
1515 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1516 @cindex comment
1517 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1518 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1519 Files,,Command Files}).
1520
1521 @cindex repeating command sequences
1522 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1523 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1524 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1525 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1526 for editing.
1527
1528 @node Completion
1529 @section Command Completion
1530
1531 @cindex completion
1532 @cindex word completion
1533 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1534 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1535 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1536 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1537
1538 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1539 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1540 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1541 enter it). For example, if you type
1542
1543 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1544 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1545 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1546 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1547 @smallexample
1548 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1549 @end smallexample
1550
1551 @noindent
1552 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1553 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1554
1555 @smallexample
1556 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1557 @end smallexample
1558
1559 @noindent
1560 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1561 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1562 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1563 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1564 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1565 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1566
1567 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1568 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1569 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1570 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1571 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1572 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1573 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1574 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1575 example:
1576
1577 @smallexample
1578 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1579 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1580 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1581 make_abs_section make_function_type
1582 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1583 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1584 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1585 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1586 @end smallexample
1587
1588 @noindent
1589 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1590 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1591 command.
1592
1593 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1594 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1595 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1596 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1597 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1598
1599 @cindex quotes in commands
1600 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1601 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1602 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1603 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1604 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1605 @value{GDBN} commands.
1606
1607 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1608 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1609 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1610 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1611 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1612 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1613 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1614 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1615 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1616 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1617 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1618
1619 @smallexample
1620 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1621 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1622 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1623 @end smallexample
1624
1625 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1626 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1627 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1628 place:
1629
1630 @smallexample
1631 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1632 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1633 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1634 @end smallexample
1635
1636 @noindent
1637 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1638 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1639 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1640
1641 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1642 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1643 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1644 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1645
1646 @cindex completion of structure field names
1647 @cindex structure field name completion
1648 @cindex completion of union field names
1649 @cindex union field name completion
1650 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1651 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1652 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1653 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1654 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1655 left-hand-side:
1656
1657 @smallexample
1658 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1659 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1660 to_data to_isatty to_write
1661 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1662 to_flush to_read
1663 @end smallexample
1664
1665 @noindent
1666 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1667 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1668 follows:
1669
1670 @smallexample
1671 struct ui_file
1672 @{
1673 int *magic;
1674 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1675 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1676 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1677 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1678 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1679 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1680 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1681 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1682 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1683 void *to_data;
1684 @}
1685 @end smallexample
1686
1687
1688 @node Help
1689 @section Getting Help
1690 @cindex online documentation
1691 @kindex help
1692
1693 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1694 using the command @code{help}.
1695
1696 @table @code
1697 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1698 @item help
1699 @itemx h
1700 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1701 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1702
1703 @smallexample
1704 (@value{GDBP}) help
1705 List of classes of commands:
1706
1707 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1708 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1709 data -- Examining data
1710 files -- Specifying and examining files
1711 internals -- Maintenance commands
1712 obscure -- Obscure features
1713 running -- Running the program
1714 stack -- Examining the stack
1715 status -- Status inquiries
1716 support -- Support facilities
1717 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1718 stopping the program
1719 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1720
1721 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1722 commands in that class.
1723 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1724 documentation.
1725 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1726 (@value{GDBP})
1727 @end smallexample
1728 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1729
1730 @item help @var{class}
1731 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1732 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1733 help display for the class @code{status}:
1734
1735 @smallexample
1736 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1737 Status inquiries.
1738
1739 List of commands:
1740
1741 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1742 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1743 info -- Generic command for showing things
1744 about the program being debugged
1745 show -- Generic command for showing things
1746 about the debugger
1747
1748 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1749 documentation.
1750 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1751 (@value{GDBP})
1752 @end smallexample
1753
1754 @item help @var{command}
1755 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1756 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1757
1758 @kindex apropos
1759 @item apropos @var{args}
1760 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1761 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1762 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1763
1764 @smallexample
1765 apropos alias
1766 @end smallexample
1767
1768 @noindent
1769 results in:
1770
1771 @smallexample
1772 @c @group
1773 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1774 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1775 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1776 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1777 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1778 @c @end group
1779 @end smallexample
1780
1781 @kindex complete
1782 @item complete @var{args}
1783 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1784 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1785 command you want completed. For example:
1786
1787 @smallexample
1788 complete i
1789 @end smallexample
1790
1791 @noindent results in:
1792
1793 @smallexample
1794 @group
1795 if
1796 ignore
1797 info
1798 inspect
1799 @end group
1800 @end smallexample
1801
1802 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1803 @end table
1804
1805 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1806 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1807 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1808 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1809 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1810 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1811 Index}.
1812
1813 @c @group
1814 @table @code
1815 @kindex info
1816 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1817 @item info
1818 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1819 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1820 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1821 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1822 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1823 @w{@code{help info}}.
1824
1825 @kindex set
1826 @item set
1827 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1828 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1829 @code{set prompt $}.
1830
1831 @kindex show
1832 @item show
1833 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1834 @value{GDBN} itself.
1835 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1836 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1837 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1838 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1839
1840 @kindex info set
1841 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1842 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1843 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1844 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1845 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1846 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1847 @end table
1848 @c @end group
1849
1850 Here are several miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1851 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1852
1853 @table @code
1854 @kindex show version
1855 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1856 @item show version
1857 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1858 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1859 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1860 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1861 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1862 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1863 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1864 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1865 @value{GDBN}.
1866
1867 @kindex show copying
1868 @kindex info copying
1869 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1870 @item show copying
1871 @itemx info copying
1872 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1873
1874 @kindex show warranty
1875 @kindex info warranty
1876 @item show warranty
1877 @itemx info warranty
1878 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1879 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1880
1881 @kindex show configuration
1882 @item show configuration
1883 Display detailed information about the way @value{GDBN} was configured
1884 when it was built. This displays the optional arguments passed to the
1885 @file{configure} script and also configuration parameters detected
1886 automatically by @command{configure}. When reporting a @value{GDBN}
1887 bug (@pxref{GDB Bugs}), it is important to include this information in
1888 your report.
1889
1890 @end table
1891
1892 @node Running
1893 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1894
1895 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1896 debugging information when you compile it.
1897
1898 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1899 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1900 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1901 kill a child process.
1902
1903 @menu
1904 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1905 * Starting:: Starting your program
1906 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1907 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1908
1909 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1910 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1911 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1912 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1913
1914 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1915 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1916 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1917 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1918 @end menu
1919
1920 @node Compilation
1921 @section Compiling for Debugging
1922
1923 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1924 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1925 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1926 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1927 and addresses in the executable code.
1928
1929 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1930 the compiler.
1931
1932 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1933 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1934 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1935 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1936 executables containing debugging information.
1937
1938 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1939 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1940 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1941 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1942 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1943
1944 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1945 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1946 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1947
1948 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1949 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1950 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1951 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
1952 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
1953 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
1954
1955 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
1956 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
1957 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
1958
1959 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
1960 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
1961 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
1962 format in @value{GDBN}.
1963
1964 @need 2000
1965 @node Starting
1966 @section Starting your Program
1967 @cindex starting
1968 @cindex running
1969
1970 @table @code
1971 @kindex run
1972 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1973 @item run
1974 @itemx r
1975 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1976 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1977 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1978 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1979 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1980
1981 @end table
1982
1983 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1984 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1985 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1986 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1987 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1988 message like this one:
1989
1990 @smallexample
1991 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1992 Try "help target" or "continue".
1993 @end smallexample
1994
1995 @noindent
1996 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1997 first (@pxref{load}).
1998
1999 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
2000 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
2001 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
2002 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
2003 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
2004 divided into four categories:
2005
2006 @table @asis
2007 @item The @emph{arguments.}
2008 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
2009 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
2010 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
2011 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
2012 the arguments.
2013 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
2014 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
2015 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
2016
2017 @item The @emph{environment.}
2018 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
2019 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
2020 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
2021 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
2022
2023 @item The @emph{working directory.}
2024 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
2025 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
2026 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
2027
2028 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
2029 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
2030 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
2031 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
2032 set a different device for your program.
2033 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2034
2035 @cindex pipes
2036 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2037 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2038 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2039 wrong program.
2040 @end table
2041
2042 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2043 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2044 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2045 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2046 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2047
2048 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2049 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2050 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2051 your current breakpoints.
2052
2053 @table @code
2054 @kindex start
2055 @item start
2056 @cindex run to main procedure
2057 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2058 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2059 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2060 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2061 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2062 procedure, depending on the language used.
2063
2064 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2065 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2066 the @samp{run} command.
2067
2068 @cindex elaboration phase
2069 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2070 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2071 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2072 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2073 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2074 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2075 will remain to halt execution.
2076
2077 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2078 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2079 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2080 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2081 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2082
2083 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2084 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2085 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2086 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2087 elaboration code before running your program.
2088
2089 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2090 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2091 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2092 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2093 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2094 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2095 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2096 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2097 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2098 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2099 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2100
2101 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2102 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2103 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2104 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2105
2106 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2107 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2108 environment:
2109
2110 @smallexample
2111 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2112 (@value{GDBP}) run
2113 @end smallexample
2114
2115 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2116 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2117
2118 @kindex set disable-randomization
2119 @item set disable-randomization
2120 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2121 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2122 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2123 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2124 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2125
2126 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2127 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2128
2129 @smallexample
2130 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2131 @end smallexample
2132
2133 @item set disable-randomization off
2134 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2135 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2136 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2137 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2138 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2139 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2140
2141 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2142 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2143 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2144 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2145 a code at its expected addresses.
2146
2147 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2148 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2149 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2150 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2151 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2152 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2153 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2154 a randomly chosen address.
2155
2156 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2157 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2158 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2159 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2160 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2161
2162 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2163 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2164
2165 @item show disable-randomization
2166 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2167 the virtual address space of the started program.
2168
2169 @end table
2170
2171 @node Arguments
2172 @section Your Program's Arguments
2173
2174 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2175 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2176 @code{run} command.
2177 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2178 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2179 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2180 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2181 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2182
2183 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2184 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2185 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2186 the program, not by the shell.
2187
2188 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2189 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2190
2191 @table @code
2192 @kindex set args
2193 @item set args
2194 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2195 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2196 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2197 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2198 it again without arguments.
2199
2200 @kindex show args
2201 @item show args
2202 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2203 @end table
2204
2205 @node Environment
2206 @section Your Program's Environment
2207
2208 @cindex environment (of your program)
2209 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2210 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2211 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2212 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2213 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2214 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2215 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2216
2217 @table @code
2218 @kindex path
2219 @item path @var{directory}
2220 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2221 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2222 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2223 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2224 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2225 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2226 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2227
2228 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2229 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2230 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2231 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2232 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2233 @var{directory} to the search path.
2234 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2235 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2236
2237 @kindex show paths
2238 @item show paths
2239 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2240 environment variable).
2241
2242 @kindex show environment
2243 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2244 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2245 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2246 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2247 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2248
2249 @kindex set environment
2250 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2251 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2252 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2253 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2254 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2255 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2256 null value.
2257 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2258 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2259
2260 For example, this command:
2261
2262 @smallexample
2263 set env USER = foo
2264 @end smallexample
2265
2266 @noindent
2267 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2268 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2269 are not actually required.)
2270
2271 @kindex unset environment
2272 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2273 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2274 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2275 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2276 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2277 @end table
2278
2279 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2280 the shell indicated
2281 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2282 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2283 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2284 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2285 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2286 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2287 @file{.profile}.
2288
2289 @node Working Directory
2290 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2291
2292 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2293 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2294 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2295 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2296 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2297 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2298
2299 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2300 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2301 Specify Files}.
2302
2303 @table @code
2304 @kindex cd
2305 @cindex change working directory
2306 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2307 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2308 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2309
2310 @kindex pwd
2311 @item pwd
2312 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2313 @end table
2314
2315 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2316 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2317 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2318 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2319 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2320 current working directory of the debuggee.
2321
2322 @node Input/Output
2323 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2324
2325 @cindex redirection
2326 @cindex i/o
2327 @cindex terminal
2328 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2329 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2330 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2331 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2332 running your program.
2333
2334 @table @code
2335 @kindex info terminal
2336 @item info terminal
2337 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2338 program is using.
2339 @end table
2340
2341 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2342 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2343
2344 @smallexample
2345 run > outfile
2346 @end smallexample
2347
2348 @noindent
2349 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2350
2351 @kindex tty
2352 @cindex controlling terminal
2353 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2354 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2355 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2356 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2357 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2358
2359 @smallexample
2360 tty /dev/ttyb
2361 @end smallexample
2362
2363 @noindent
2364 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2365 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2366 that as their controlling terminal.
2367
2368 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2369 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2370 terminal.
2371
2372 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2373 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2374 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2375 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2376
2377 @cindex inferior tty
2378 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2379 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2380 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2381 program.
2382
2383 @table @code
2384 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2385 @kindex set inferior-tty
2386 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2387
2388 @item show inferior-tty
2389 @kindex show inferior-tty
2390 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2391 @end table
2392
2393 @node Attach
2394 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2395 @kindex attach
2396 @cindex attach
2397
2398 @table @code
2399 @item attach @var{process-id}
2400 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2401 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2402 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2403 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2404 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2405
2406 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2407 executing the command.
2408 @end table
2409
2410 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2411 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2412 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2413 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2414
2415 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2416 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2417 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2418 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2419 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2420 Specify Files}.
2421
2422 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2423 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2424 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2425 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2426 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2427 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2428 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2429
2430 @table @code
2431 @kindex detach
2432 @item detach
2433 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2434 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2435 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2436 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2437 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2438 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2439 executing the command.
2440 @end table
2441
2442 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2443 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2444 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2445 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2446 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2447 Messages}).
2448
2449 @node Kill Process
2450 @section Killing the Child Process
2451
2452 @table @code
2453 @kindex kill
2454 @item kill
2455 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2456 @end table
2457
2458 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2459 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2460 is running.
2461
2462 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2463 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2464 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2465 outside the debugger.
2466
2467 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2468 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2469 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2470 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2471 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2472 breakpoint settings).
2473
2474 @node Inferiors and Programs
2475 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2476
2477 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2478 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2479 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2480 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2481 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2482 from multiple executables.
2483
2484 @cindex inferior
2485 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2486 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2487 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2488 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2489 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2490 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2491 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2492 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2493 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2494 threads running in it.
2495
2496 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2497 inferiors}}:
2498
2499 @table @code
2500 @kindex info inferiors
2501 @item info inferiors
2502 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2503
2504 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2505
2506 @enumerate
2507 @item
2508 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2509
2510 @item
2511 the target system's inferior identifier
2512
2513 @item
2514 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2515
2516 @end enumerate
2517
2518 @noindent
2519 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2520 indicates the current inferior.
2521
2522 For example,
2523 @end table
2524 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2525
2526 @smallexample
2527 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2528 Num Description Executable
2529 2 process 2307 hello
2530 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2531 @end smallexample
2532
2533 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2534
2535 @table @code
2536 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2537 @item inferior @var{infno}
2538 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2539 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2540 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2541 @end table
2542
2543
2544 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2545 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2546 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2547 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2548 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2549 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2550
2551 @table @code
2552 @kindex add-inferior
2553 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2554 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2555 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2556 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2557 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2558 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2559
2560 @kindex clone-inferior
2561 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2562 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2563 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2564 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2565 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2566
2567 @smallexample
2568 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2569 Num Description Executable
2570 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2571 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2572 Added inferior 2.
2573 1 inferiors added.
2574 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2575 Num Description Executable
2576 2 <null> helloworld
2577 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2578 @end smallexample
2579
2580 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2581
2582 @kindex remove-inferiors
2583 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2584 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2585 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2586 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2587
2588 @end table
2589
2590 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2591 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2592 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2593 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2594
2595 @table @code
2596 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2597 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2598 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2599 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2600 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2601 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2602
2603 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2604 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2605 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2606 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2607 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2608 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2609 @end table
2610
2611 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2612 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2613 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2614 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2615
2616
2617 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2618 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2619
2620 @table @code
2621 @kindex set print inferior-events
2622 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2623 @item set print inferior-events
2624 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2625 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2626 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2627 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2628 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2629 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2630
2631 @kindex show print inferior-events
2632 @item show print inferior-events
2633 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2634 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2635 @end table
2636
2637 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2638 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2639 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2640
2641
2642 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2643 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2644 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2645 info program-spaces}} command.
2646
2647 @table @code
2648 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2649 @item maint info program-spaces
2650 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2651 @value{GDBN}.
2652
2653 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2654
2655 @enumerate
2656 @item
2657 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2658
2659 @item
2660 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2661 the @code{file} command.
2662
2663 @end enumerate
2664
2665 @noindent
2666 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2667 indicates the current program space.
2668
2669 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2670 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2671 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2672
2673 @smallexample
2674 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2675 Id Executable
2676 2 goodbye
2677 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2678 * 1 hello
2679 @end smallexample
2680
2681 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2682 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2683 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2684 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2685 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2686
2687 @smallexample
2688 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2689 Id Executable
2690 * 1 vfork-test
2691 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2692 @end smallexample
2693
2694 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2695 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2696 @end table
2697
2698 @node Threads
2699 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2700
2701 @cindex threads of execution
2702 @cindex multiple threads
2703 @cindex switching threads
2704 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2705 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2706 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2707 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2708 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2709 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2710 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2711
2712 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2713 programs:
2714
2715 @itemize @bullet
2716 @item automatic notification of new threads
2717 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2718 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2719 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2720 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2721 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2722 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2723 messages on thread start and exit.
2724 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2725 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2726 isn't compatible with the program.
2727 @end itemize
2728
2729 @quotation
2730 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2731 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2732 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2733 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2734 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2735 like this:
2736
2737 @smallexample
2738 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2739 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2740 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2741 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2742 @end smallexample
2743 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2744 @c doesn't support threads"?
2745 @end quotation
2746
2747 @cindex focus of debugging
2748 @cindex current thread
2749 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2750 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2751 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2752 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2753 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2754
2755 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2756 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2757 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2758 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2759 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2760 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2761 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2762 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2763 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2764 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2765
2766 @smallexample
2767 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2768 @end smallexample
2769
2770 @noindent
2771 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2772 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2773 further qualifier.
2774
2775 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2776 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2777 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2778 @c program?
2779 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2780 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2781 @c threads ab initio?
2782
2783 @cindex thread number
2784 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2785 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2786 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2787
2788 @table @code
2789 @kindex info threads
2790 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2791 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2792 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2793 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2794 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2795
2796 @enumerate
2797 @item
2798 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2799
2800 @item
2801 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2802
2803 @item
2804 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2805 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2806 program itself.
2807
2808 @item
2809 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2810 @end enumerate
2811
2812 @noindent
2813 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2814 indicates the current thread.
2815
2816 For example,
2817 @end table
2818 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2819
2820 @smallexample
2821 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2822 Id Target Id Frame
2823 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2824 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2825 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2826 at threadtest.c:68
2827 @end smallexample
2828
2829 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2830 Solaris-specific command:
2831
2832 @table @code
2833 @item maint info sol-threads
2834 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2835 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2836 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2837 @end table
2838
2839 @table @code
2840 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2841 @item thread @var{threadno}
2842 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2843 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2844 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2845 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2846 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2847
2848 @smallexample
2849 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2850 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2851 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2852 8 printf ("hello\n");
2853 @end smallexample
2854
2855 @noindent
2856 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2857 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2858 threads.
2859
2860 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2861 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2862 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2863 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2864 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2865 information on convenience variables.
2866
2867 @kindex thread apply
2868 @cindex apply command to several threads
2869 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2870 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2871 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2872 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2873 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2874 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2875 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2876 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2877
2878 @kindex thread name
2879 @cindex name a thread
2880 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2881 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2882 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2883 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2884
2885 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2886 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2887 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2888 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2889 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2890
2891 @kindex thread find
2892 @cindex search for a thread
2893 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2894 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2895 matches the supplied regular expression.
2896
2897 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2898 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2899 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2900 is the LWP id.
2901
2902 @smallexample
2903 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2904 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2905 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2906 Id Target Id Frame
2907 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2908 @end smallexample
2909
2910 @kindex set print thread-events
2911 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2912 @item set print thread-events
2913 @itemx set print thread-events on
2914 @itemx set print thread-events off
2915 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2916 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2917 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2918 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2919 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2920
2921 @kindex show print thread-events
2922 @item show print thread-events
2923 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2924 have started and exited.
2925 @end table
2926
2927 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2928 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2929 programs with multiple threads.
2930
2931 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2932 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2933
2934 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
2935 @table @code
2936 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2937 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2938 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2939 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2940 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2941 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2942 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2943 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2944 macro.
2945
2946 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2947 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2948 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2949 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
2950 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
2951 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2952
2953 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2954 refers to the default system directories that are
2955 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
2956 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
2957 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2958
2959 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2960 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2961 was loaded in the inferior process.
2962
2963 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2964 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2965 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2966 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2967 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2968 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2969 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2970
2971 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2972 only on some platforms.
2973
2974 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2975 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2976 Display current libthread_db search path.
2977
2978 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2979 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2980 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2981 @item set debug libthread-db
2982 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2983 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2984 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2985 @end table
2986
2987 @node Forks
2988 @section Debugging Forks
2989
2990 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2991 @cindex multiple processes
2992 @cindex processes, multiple
2993 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2994 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2995 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2996 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2997 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2998 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2999 will cause it to terminate.
3000
3001 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
3002 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
3003 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
3004 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
3005 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
3006 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
3007 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
3008 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
3009 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
3010 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
3011
3012 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
3013 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
3014 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
3015 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
3016
3017 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
3018 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
3019
3020 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
3021 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
3022
3023 @table @code
3024 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
3025 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
3026 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
3027 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
3028 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
3029
3030 @table @code
3031 @item parent
3032 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
3033 unimpeded. This is the default.
3034
3035 @item child
3036 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3037 unimpeded.
3038
3039 @end table
3040
3041 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3042 @item show follow-fork-mode
3043 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3044 @end table
3045
3046 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3047 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3048 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3049
3050 @table @code
3051 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3052 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3053 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3054 retain debugger control over them both.
3055
3056 @table @code
3057 @item on
3058 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3059 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3060 independently. This is the default.
3061
3062 @item off
3063 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3064 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3065 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3066 is held suspended.
3067
3068 @end table
3069
3070 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3071 @item show detach-on-fork
3072 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3073 @end table
3074
3075 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3076 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3077 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3078 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3079 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3080 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3081
3082 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3083 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3084 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3085 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3086 and Programs}.
3087
3088 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3089 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3090 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3091 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3092 the child process's @code{main}.
3093
3094 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3095 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3096
3097 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3098 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3099 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3100 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3101 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3102 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3103 command.
3104
3105 @table @code
3106 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3107 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3108
3109 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3110 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3111
3112 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3113
3114 @table @code
3115 @item new
3116 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3117 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3118 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3119 original inferior.
3120
3121 For example:
3122
3123 @smallexample
3124 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3125 (gdb) info inferior
3126 Id Description Executable
3127 * 1 <null> prog1
3128 (@value{GDBP}) run
3129 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3130 Program exited normally.
3131 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3132 Id Description Executable
3133 * 2 <null> prog2
3134 1 <null> prog1
3135 @end smallexample
3136
3137 @item same
3138 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3139 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3140 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3141 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3142 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3143
3144 For example:
3145
3146 @smallexample
3147 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3148 Id Description Executable
3149 * 1 <null> prog1
3150 (@value{GDBP}) run
3151 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3152 Program exited normally.
3153 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3154 Id Description Executable
3155 * 1 <null> prog2
3156 @end smallexample
3157
3158 @end table
3159 @end table
3160
3161 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3162 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3163 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3164
3165 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3166 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3167
3168 @cindex checkpoint
3169 @cindex restart
3170 @cindex bookmark
3171 @cindex snapshot of a process
3172 @cindex rewind program state
3173
3174 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3175 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3176 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3177 later.
3178
3179 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3180 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3181 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3182 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3183 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3184
3185 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3186 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3187 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3188 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3189 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3190 start again from there.
3191
3192 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3193 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3194
3195 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3196
3197 @table @code
3198 @kindex checkpoint
3199 @item checkpoint
3200 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3201 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3202 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3203
3204 @kindex info checkpoints
3205 @item info checkpoints
3206 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3207 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3208 listed:
3209
3210 @table @code
3211 @item Checkpoint ID
3212 @item Process ID
3213 @item Code Address
3214 @item Source line, or label
3215 @end table
3216
3217 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3218 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3219 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3220 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3221 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3222 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3223 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3224
3225 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3226 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3227 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3228 the debugger.
3229
3230 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3231 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3232 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3233
3234 @end table
3235
3236 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3237 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3238 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3239 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3240 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3241 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3242 previously read data can be read again.
3243
3244 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3245 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3246 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3247 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3248 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3249 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3250
3251 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3252 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3253 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3254 different execution path this time.
3255
3256 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3257 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3258 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3259 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3260 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3261 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3262 potentially pose a problem.
3263
3264 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3265
3266 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3267 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3268 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3269 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3270 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3271 next.
3272
3273 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3274 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3275 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3276 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3277 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3278
3279 @node Stopping
3280 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3281
3282 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3283 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3284 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3285
3286 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3287 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3288 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3289 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3290 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3291 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3292 explicitly request this information at any time.
3293
3294 @table @code
3295 @kindex info program
3296 @item info program
3297 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3298 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3299 @end table
3300
3301 @menu
3302 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3303 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3304 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3305 Skipping over functions and files
3306 * Signals:: Signals
3307 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3308 @end menu
3309
3310 @node Breakpoints
3311 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3312
3313 @cindex breakpoints
3314 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3315 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3316 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3317 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3318 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3319 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3320 program.
3321
3322 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3323 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3324 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3325 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3326 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3327 call).
3328
3329 @cindex watchpoints
3330 @cindex data breakpoints
3331 @cindex memory tracing
3332 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3333 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3334 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3335 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3336 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3337 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3338 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3339 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3340 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3341 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3342 same commands.
3343
3344 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3345 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3346 Automatic Display}.
3347
3348 @cindex catchpoints
3349 @cindex breakpoint on events
3350 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3351 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3352 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3353 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3354 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3355 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3356 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3357
3358 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3359 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3360 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3361 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3362 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3363 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3364 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3365 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3366 enable it again.
3367
3368 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3369 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3370 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3371 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3372 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3373 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3374 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3375
3376 @menu
3377 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3378 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3379 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3380 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3381 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3382 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3383 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3384 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3385 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3386 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3387 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3388 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3389 @end menu
3390
3391 @node Set Breaks
3392 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3393
3394 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3395 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3396 @c
3397 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3398
3399 @kindex break
3400 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3401 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3402 @cindex latest breakpoint
3403 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3404 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3405 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3406 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3407 convenience variables.
3408
3409 @table @code
3410 @item break @var{location}
3411 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3412 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3413 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3414 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3415 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3416
3417 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3418 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3419 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3420 that situation.
3421
3422 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3423 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3424 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3425
3426 @item break
3427 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3428 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3429 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3430 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3431 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3432 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3433 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3434 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3435 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3436 inside loops.
3437
3438 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3439 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3440 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3441 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3442 existed when your program stopped.
3443
3444 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3445 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3446 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3447 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3448 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3449 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3450 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3451
3452 @kindex tbreak
3453 @item tbreak @var{args}
3454 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3455 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3456 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3457 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3458
3459 @kindex hbreak
3460 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3461 @item hbreak @var{args}
3462 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3463 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3464 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3465 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3466 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3467 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3468 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3469 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3470 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3471 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3472 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3473 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3474 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3475 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3476 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3477 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3478 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3479 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3480
3481 @kindex thbreak
3482 @item thbreak @var{args}
3483 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3484 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3485 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3486 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3487 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3488 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3489 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3490 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3491
3492 @kindex rbreak
3493 @cindex regular expression
3494 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3495 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3496 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3497 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3498 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3499 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3500 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3501 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3502 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3503
3504 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3505 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3506 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3507 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3508 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3509 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3510
3511 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3512 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3513 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3514 classes.
3515
3516 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3517 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3518 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3519
3520 @smallexample
3521 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3522 @end smallexample
3523
3524 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3525 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3526 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3527 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3528 every function in a given file:
3529
3530 @smallexample
3531 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3532 @end smallexample
3533
3534 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3535 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3536
3537 @kindex info breakpoints
3538 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3539 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3540 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3541 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3542 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3543 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3544 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3545
3546 @table @emph
3547 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3548 @item Type
3549 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3550 @item Disposition
3551 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3552 @item Enabled or Disabled
3553 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3554 that are not enabled.
3555 @item Address
3556 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3557 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3558 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3559 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3560 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3561 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3562 @item What
3563 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3564 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3565 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3566 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3567 @end table
3568
3569 @noindent
3570 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3571 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3572 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3573 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3574 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3575 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3576
3577 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3578 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3579 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3580 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3581
3582 @noindent
3583 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3584 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3585 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3586 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3587 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3588
3589 @noindent
3590 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3591 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3592 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3593 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3594 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3595 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3596
3597 @noindent
3598 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3599 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3600
3601 @end table
3602
3603 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3604 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3605 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3606 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3607
3608 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3609 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3610 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3611 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3612
3613 @itemize @bullet
3614 @item
3615 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3616
3617 @item
3618 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3619 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3620
3621 @item
3622 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3623 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3624
3625 @item
3626 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3627 several places where that function is inlined.
3628 @end itemize
3629
3630 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3631 the relevant locations.
3632
3633 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3634 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3635 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3636 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3637 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3638 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3639 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3640
3641 For example:
3642
3643 @smallexample
3644 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3645 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3646 stop only if i==1
3647 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3648 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3649 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3650 @end smallexample
3651
3652 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3653 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3654 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3655 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3656 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3657 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3658 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3659 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3660 that belong to that breakpoint.
3661
3662 @cindex pending breakpoints
3663 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3664 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3665 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3666 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3667 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3668 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3669 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3670 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3671 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3672 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3673 is not yet resolved.
3674
3675 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3676 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3677 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3678 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3679 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3680 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3681
3682 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3683 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3684 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3685 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3686
3687 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3688 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3689 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3690
3691 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3692 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3693 address specification to an address:
3694
3695 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3696 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3697 @table @code
3698 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3699 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3700 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3701
3702 @item set breakpoint pending on
3703 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3704 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3705
3706 @item set breakpoint pending off
3707 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3708 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3709 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3710
3711 @item show breakpoint pending
3712 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3713 @end table
3714
3715 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3716 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3717 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3718
3719 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3720 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3721 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3722 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3723 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3724 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3725 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3726 breakpoints.
3727
3728 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3729
3730 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3731 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3732 @table @code
3733 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3734 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3735 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3736 breakpoint must be used.
3737
3738 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3739 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3740 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3741 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3742 @end table
3743
3744 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3745 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3746 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3747 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3748 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3749 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3750 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3751 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3752 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3753
3754 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3755 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3756 @table @code
3757 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3758 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3759 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3760 removed from the target when it stops.
3761
3762 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3763 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3764 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3765 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3766 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3767
3768 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3769 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3770 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3771 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3772 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3773 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3774 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3775 @end table
3776
3777 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3778 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3779 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3780
3781 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3782 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3783
3784 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3785
3786 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3787 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3788 @table @code
3789 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3790 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3791 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3792 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3793 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3794
3795 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3796 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3797 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3798 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3799 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3800 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3801 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3802 that is only known to the host. Examples include
3803 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3804 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3805 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3806 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3807 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3808
3809 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3810 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3811 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3812 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3813 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3814 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3815 @end table
3816
3817
3818 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3819 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3820 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3821 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3822 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3823 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3824 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3825 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3826
3827
3828 @node Set Watchpoints
3829 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3830
3831 @cindex setting watchpoints
3832 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3833 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3834 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3835 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3836 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3837
3838 @itemize @bullet
3839 @item
3840 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3841
3842 @item
3843 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3844 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3845 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3846
3847 @item
3848 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3849 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3850 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3851 @end itemize
3852
3853 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3854 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3855 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3856 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3857 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3858 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3859 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3860 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3861 the expression changes.
3862
3863 @cindex software watchpoints
3864 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3865 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3866 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3867 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3868 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3869 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3870 culprit.)
3871
3872 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3873 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3874 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3875
3876 @table @code
3877 @kindex watch
3878 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3879 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3880 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3881 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3882 to watch the value of a single variable:
3883
3884 @smallexample
3885 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3886 @end smallexample
3887
3888 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3889 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3890 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3891 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3892 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3893 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3894
3895 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3896 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3897 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3898 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3899 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3900 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3901 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3902 error.
3903
3904 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3905 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3906 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3907 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3908 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3909 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3910 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3911 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3912 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3913 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3914 Examples:
3915
3916 @smallexample
3917 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3918 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3919 @end smallexample
3920
3921 @kindex rwatch
3922 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3923 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3924 by the program.
3925
3926 @kindex awatch
3927 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3928 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3929 or written into by the program.
3930
3931 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3932 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3933 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3934 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3935 @end table
3936
3937 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3938 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3939 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3940 a never-changing value:
3941
3942 @smallexample
3943 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3944 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3945 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3946 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3947 @end smallexample
3948
3949 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3950 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3951 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3952 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3953 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3954 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3955
3956 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3957 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3958 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3959 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3960 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3961 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3962 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3963 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3964
3965 @table @code
3966 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3967 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3968 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3969
3970 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3971 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3972 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3973 @end table
3974
3975 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3976 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3977 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3978
3979 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3980
3981 @smallexample
3982 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3983 @end smallexample
3984
3985 @noindent
3986 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3987
3988 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3989 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3990 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3991 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3992 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3993 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3994 will print a message like this:
3995
3996 @smallexample
3997 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3998 @end smallexample
3999
4000 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
4001 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
4002 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
4003 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
4004 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
4005 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
4006 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
4007 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
4008
4009 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
4010 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
4011 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
4012 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
4013 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
4014 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
4015
4016 @smallexample
4017 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
4018 @end smallexample
4019
4020 @noindent
4021 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
4022
4023 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
4024 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
4025 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
4026 expression with separately allocated resources.
4027
4028 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
4029 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
4030 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
4031
4032 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
4033 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
4034 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
4035 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4036 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4037 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4038 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4039 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4040 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4041
4042 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4043 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4044 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4045 watched expression from every thread.
4046
4047 @quotation
4048 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4049 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4050 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4051 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4052 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4053 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4054 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4055 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4056 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4057 @end quotation
4058
4059 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4060
4061 @node Set Catchpoints
4062 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4063 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4064 @cindex exception handlers
4065 @cindex event handling
4066
4067 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4068 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4069 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4070
4071 @table @code
4072 @kindex catch
4073 @item catch @var{event}
4074 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
4075
4076 @table @code
4077 @item throw @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4078 @itemx rethrow @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4079 @itemx catch @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4080 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4081 The throwing, re-throwing, or catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4082
4083 If @var{regexp} is given, then only exceptions whose type matches the
4084 regular expression will be caught.
4085
4086 @vindex $_exception@r{, convenience variable}
4087 The convenience variable @code{$_exception} is available at an
4088 exception-related catchpoint, on some systems. This holds the
4089 exception being thrown.
4090
4091 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling in
4092 @value{GDBN}:
4093
4094 @itemize @bullet
4095 @item
4096 The support for these commands is system-dependent. Currently, only
4097 systems using the @samp{gnu-v3} C@t{++} ABI (@pxref{ABI}) are
4098 supported.
4099
4100 @item
4101 The regular expression feature and the @code{$_exception} convenience
4102 variable rely on the presence of some SDT probes in @code{libstdc++}.
4103 If these probes are not present, then these features cannot be used.
4104 These probes were first available in the GCC 4.8 release, but whether
4105 or not they are available in your GCC also depends on how it was
4106 built.
4107
4108 @item
4109 The @code{$_exception} convenience variable is only valid at the
4110 instruction at which an exception-related catchpoint is set.
4111
4112 @item
4113 When an exception-related catchpoint is hit, @value{GDBN} stops at a
4114 location in the system library which implements runtime exception
4115 support for C@t{++}, usually @code{libstdc++}. You can use @code{up}
4116 (@pxref{Selection}) to get to your code.
4117
4118 @item
4119 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4120 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4121 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4122 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4123 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4124 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4125 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4126 disabled within interactive calls. @xref{Calling}, for information on
4127 controlling this with @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception}.
4128
4129 @item
4130 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4131
4132 @item
4133 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4134 @end itemize
4135
4136 @item exception
4137 @cindex Ada exception catching
4138 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4139 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4140 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4141 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4142 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4143
4144 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4145 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4146 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4147 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4148 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4149 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4150 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4151 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4152
4153 @item exception unhandled
4154 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4155
4156 @item assert
4157 A failed Ada assertion.
4158
4159 @item exec
4160 @cindex break on fork/exec
4161 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4162 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4163
4164 @item syscall
4165 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4166 @cindex break on a system call.
4167 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4168 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4169 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4170 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4171 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4172 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4173 will be caught.
4174
4175 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4176 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4177 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4178 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4179
4180 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4181 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4182 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4183 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4184
4185 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4186 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4187 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4188 available choices.
4189
4190 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4191 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4192 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4193 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4194 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4195 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4196 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4197 behind the OS upgrades).
4198
4199 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4200 arguments to it:
4201
4202 @smallexample
4203 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4204 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4205 (@value{GDBP}) r
4206 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4207
4208 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4209 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4210 (@value{GDBP}) c
4211 Continuing.
4212
4213 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4214 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4215 (@value{GDBP})
4216 @end smallexample
4217
4218 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4219
4220 @smallexample
4221 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4222 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4223 (@value{GDBP}) r
4224 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4225
4226 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4227 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4228 (@value{GDBP}) c
4229 Continuing.
4230
4231 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4232 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4233 (@value{GDBP})
4234 @end smallexample
4235
4236 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4237 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4238 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4239
4240 @smallexample
4241 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4242 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4243 (@value{GDBP}) r
4244 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4245
4246 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4247 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4248 (@value{GDBP}) c
4249 Continuing.
4250
4251 Program exited normally.
4252 (@value{GDBP})
4253 @end smallexample
4254
4255 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4256 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4257 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4258 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4259
4260 @smallexample
4261 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4262 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4263 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4264 (@value{GDBP})
4265 @end smallexample
4266
4267 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4268 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4269 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4270 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4271 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4272 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4273
4274 @smallexample
4275 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4276 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4277 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4278 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4279 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4280 (@value{GDBP})
4281 @end smallexample
4282
4283 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4284
4285 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4286 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4287
4288 @smallexample
4289 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4290 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4291 @end smallexample
4292
4293 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4294
4295 @item fork
4296 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4297 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4298
4299 @item vfork
4300 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4301 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4302
4303 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4304 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4305 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4306 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4307 matches one of the affected libraries.
4308
4309 @item signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
4310 The delivery of a signal.
4311
4312 With no arguments, this catchpoint will catch any signal that is not
4313 used internally by @value{GDBN}, specifically, all signals except
4314 @samp{SIGTRAP} and @samp{SIGINT}.
4315
4316 With the argument @samp{all}, all signals, including those used by
4317 @value{GDBN}, will be caught. This argument cannot be used with other
4318 signal names.
4319
4320 Otherwise, the arguments are a list of signal names as given to
4321 @code{handle} (@pxref{Signals}). Only signals specified in this list
4322 will be caught.
4323
4324 One reason that @code{catch signal} can be more useful than
4325 @code{handle} is that you can attach commands and conditions to the
4326 catchpoint.
4327
4328 When a signal is caught by a catchpoint, the signal's @code{stop} and
4329 @code{print} settings, as specified by @code{handle}, are ignored.
4330 However, whether the signal is still delivered to the inferior depends
4331 on the @code{pass} setting; this can be changed in the catchpoint's
4332 commands.
4333
4334 @end table
4335
4336 @item tcatch @var{event}
4337 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4338 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4339
4340 @end table
4341
4342 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4343
4344
4345 @node Delete Breaks
4346 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4347
4348 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4349 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4350 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4351 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4352 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4353 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4354
4355 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4356 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4357 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4358 their breakpoint numbers.
4359
4360 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4361 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4362 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4363
4364 @table @code
4365 @kindex clear
4366 @item clear
4367 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4368 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4369 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4370 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4371
4372 @item clear @var{location}
4373 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4374 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4375 most useful ones are listed below:
4376
4377 @table @code
4378 @item clear @var{function}
4379 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4380 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4381
4382 @item clear @var{linenum}
4383 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4384 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4385 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4386 @end table
4387
4388 @cindex delete breakpoints
4389 @kindex delete
4390 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4391 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4392 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4393 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4394 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4395 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4396 @end table
4397
4398 @node Disabling
4399 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4400
4401 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4402 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4403 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4404 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4405 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4406
4407 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4408 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4409 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4410 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4411 do not know which numbers to use.
4412
4413 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4414 affects all of its locations.
4415
4416 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4417 different states of enablement:
4418
4419 @itemize @bullet
4420 @item
4421 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4422 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4423 @item
4424 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4425 @item
4426 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4427 disabled.
4428 @item
4429 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4430 N times, then becomes disabled.
4431 @item
4432 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4433 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4434 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4435 @end itemize
4436
4437 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4438 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4439
4440 @table @code
4441 @kindex disable
4442 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4443 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4444 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4445 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4446 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4447 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4448 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4449
4450 @kindex enable
4451 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4452 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4453 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4454
4455 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4456 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4457 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4458
4459 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4460 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4461 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4462 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4463 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4464 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4465 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4466
4467 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4468 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4469 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4470 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4471 @end table
4472
4473 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4474 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4475 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4476 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4477 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4478 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4479 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4480 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4481 Stepping}.)
4482
4483 @node Conditions
4484 @subsection Break Conditions
4485 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4486 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4487
4488 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4489 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4490 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4491 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4492 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4493 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4494 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4495 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4496
4497 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4498 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4499 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4500 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4501 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4502
4503 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4504 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4505 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4506 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4507 one.
4508
4509 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4510 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4511 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4512 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4513 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4514 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4515 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4516 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4517 conditions for the
4518 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4519 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4520
4521 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4522 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4523 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4524 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4525 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4526 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4527
4528 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4529 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4530 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4531 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4532 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4533
4534 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4535 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4536 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4537 with the @code{condition} command.
4538
4539 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4540 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4541 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4542 catchpoint.
4543
4544 @table @code
4545 @kindex condition
4546 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4547 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4548 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4549 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4550 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4551 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4552 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4553 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4554 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4555 prints an error message:
4556
4557 @smallexample
4558 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4559 @end smallexample
4560
4561 @noindent
4562 @value{GDBN} does
4563 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4564 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4565 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4566
4567 @item condition @var{bnum}
4568 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4569 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4570 @end table
4571
4572 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4573 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4574 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4575 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4576 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4577 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4578 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4579 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4580 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4581 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4582 your program reaches it.
4583
4584 @table @code
4585 @kindex ignore
4586 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4587 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4588 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4589 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4590 takes no action.
4591
4592 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4593 a count of zero.
4594
4595 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4596 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4597 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4598 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4599
4600 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4601 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4602 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4603
4604 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4605 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4606 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4607 Variables}.
4608 @end table
4609
4610 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4611
4612
4613 @node Break Commands
4614 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4615
4616 @cindex breakpoint commands
4617 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4618 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4619 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4620 enable other breakpoints.
4621
4622 @table @code
4623 @kindex commands
4624 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4625 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4626 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4627 @itemx end
4628 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4629 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4630 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4631
4632 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4633 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4634
4635 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4636 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4637 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4638 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4639 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4640 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4641 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4642 Expressions}).
4643 @end table
4644
4645 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4646 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4647
4648 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4649 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4650 that resumes execution.
4651
4652 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4653 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4654 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4655 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4656 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4657
4658 @kindex silent
4659 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4660 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4661 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4662 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4663 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4664 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4665
4666 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4667 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4668 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4669
4670 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4671 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4672
4673 @smallexample
4674 break foo if x>0
4675 commands
4676 silent
4677 printf "x is %d\n",x
4678 cont
4679 end
4680 @end smallexample
4681
4682 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4683 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4684 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4685 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4686 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4687 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4688 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4689
4690 @smallexample
4691 break 403
4692 commands
4693 silent
4694 set x = y + 4
4695 cont
4696 end
4697 @end smallexample
4698
4699 @node Dynamic Printf
4700 @subsection Dynamic Printf
4701
4702 @cindex dynamic printf
4703 @cindex dprintf
4704 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
4705 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
4706 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
4707 having to recompile it.
4708
4709 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
4710 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
4711 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
4712 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
4713 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
4714 redirects to files and so forth.
4715
4716 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
4717 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
4718 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
4719 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
4720 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
4721 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
4722 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
4723
4724 @table @code
4725 @kindex dprintf
4726 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
4727 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
4728 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
4729 To print several values, separate them with commas.
4730
4731 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
4732 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
4733 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
4734 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
4735 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
4736 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
4737
4738 @item gdb
4739 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
4740 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
4741
4742 @item call
4743 @kindex dprintf-style call
4744 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
4745 @code{printf}).
4746
4747 @item agent
4748 @kindex dprintf-style agent
4749 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
4750 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
4751 support running commands on the target.
4752
4753 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
4754 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
4755 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
4756 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
4757 command.
4758
4759 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
4760 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
4761 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
4762 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
4763 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
4764 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
4765
4766 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
4767 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
4768 you could do the following:
4769
4770 @example
4771 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
4772 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
4773 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
4774 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
4775 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
4776 (gdb) info break
4777 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
4778 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
4779 continue
4780 (gdb)
4781 @end example
4782
4783 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
4784 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
4785 the variable settings.
4786
4787 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
4788 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
4789 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
4790 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
4791 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
4792 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
4793
4794 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
4795 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
4796 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
4797
4798 @end table
4799
4800 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
4801 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
4802 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
4803 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
4804 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
4805 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
4806
4807 @node Save Breakpoints
4808 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4809
4810 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4811 breakpoints}} command.
4812
4813 @table @code
4814 @kindex save breakpoints
4815 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4816 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4817 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4818 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4819 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4820 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4821 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4822 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4823 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4824 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4825 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4826 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4827 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4828 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4829 that can no longer be recreated.
4830 @end table
4831
4832 @node Static Probe Points
4833 @subsection Static Probe Points
4834
4835 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
4836 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
4837 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
4838 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations. They are
4839 usable from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages. See
4840 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
4841 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.
4842
4843 Currently, @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
4844 @acronym{SDT} probes are supported on ELF-compatible systems. See
4845 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
4846 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT} probes
4847 in your applications.
4848
4849 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
4850 Some probes have an associated semaphore variable; for instance, this
4851 happens automatically if you defined your probe using a DTrace-style
4852 @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore, @value{GDBN} will
4853 automatically enable it when you specify a breakpoint using the
4854 @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a breakpoint at a probe's
4855 location by some other method (e.g., @code{break file:line}), then
4856 @value{GDBN} will not automatically set the semaphore.
4857
4858 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
4859 probes}, with optional arguments:
4860
4861 @table @code
4862 @kindex info probes
4863 @item info probes stap @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
4864 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
4865 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
4866 probes from all providers are listed.
4867
4868 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
4869 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
4870 considered when deciding whether to display them.
4871
4872 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
4873 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
4874 given, all object files are considered.
4875
4876 @item info probes all
4877 List the available static probes, from all types.
4878 @end table
4879
4880 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
4881 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
4882 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
4883 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
4884 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
4885 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. Each probe argument is
4886 an integer of the appropriate size; types are not preserved. The
4887 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
4888 at the current probe point.
4889
4890 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
4891 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
4892 an error message.
4893
4894
4895 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4896 @node Error in Breakpoints
4897 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4898
4899 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4900 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4901
4902 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4903 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4904 @smallexample
4905 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4906 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4907 @end smallexample
4908
4909 @noindent
4910 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4911 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4912 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4913
4914 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4915 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4916
4917 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4918 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4919 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4920
4921 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4922 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4923 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4924 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4925
4926 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4927 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4928 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4929 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4930 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4931 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4932 first in the bundle.
4933
4934 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4935 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4936 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4937 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4938 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4939 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4940 is hit.
4941
4942 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4943 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4944
4945 @smallexample
4946 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4947 @end smallexample
4948
4949 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4950 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4951 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4952 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4953 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4954 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4955 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4956 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4957
4958 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4959 adjusted breakpoints:
4960
4961 @smallexample
4962 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4963 to 0x00010410.
4964 @end smallexample
4965
4966 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4967 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4968 frequently than expected.
4969
4970 @node Continuing and Stepping
4971 @section Continuing and Stepping
4972
4973 @cindex stepping
4974 @cindex continuing
4975 @cindex resuming execution
4976 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4977 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4978 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4979 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4980 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4981 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4982 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4983 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4984
4985 @table @code
4986 @kindex continue
4987 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4988 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4989 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4990 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4991 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4992 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4993 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4994 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4995 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4996 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4997
4998 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4999 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
5000 @code{continue} is ignored.
5001
5002 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
5003 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
5004 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
5005 @code{continue}.
5006 @end table
5007
5008 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
5009 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
5010 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
5011 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
5012
5013 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
5014 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
5015 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
5016 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
5017 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
5018 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
5019
5020 @table @code
5021 @kindex step
5022 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
5023 @item step
5024 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
5025 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
5026 abbreviated @code{s}.
5027
5028 @quotation
5029 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
5030 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
5031 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
5032 @c distinction here.
5033 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
5034 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
5035 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
5036 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
5037 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
5038 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
5039 below.
5040 @end quotation
5041
5042 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
5043 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5044 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
5045 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
5046 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
5047 called within the line.
5048
5049 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
5050 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
5051 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
5052 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
5053 was any debugging information about the routine.
5054
5055 @item step @var{count}
5056 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
5057 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
5058 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
5059
5060 @kindex next
5061 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
5062 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5063 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5064 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5065 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5066 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5067 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5068 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5069
5070 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5071
5072
5073 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5074 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5075 @c
5076 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5077 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5078 @c function are executed without stopping.
5079
5080 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5081 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5082 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5083
5084 @kindex set step-mode
5085 @item set step-mode
5086 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5087 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5088 @itemx set step-mode on
5089 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5090 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5091 information rather than stepping over it.
5092
5093 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5094 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5095 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5096
5097 @item set step-mode off
5098 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5099 debug information. This is the default.
5100
5101 @item show step-mode
5102 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5103 source line debug information.
5104
5105 @kindex finish
5106 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5107 @item finish
5108 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5109 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5110 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5111
5112 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5113 ,Returning from a Function}).
5114
5115 @kindex until
5116 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5117 @cindex run until specified location
5118 @item until
5119 @itemx u
5120 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5121 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5122 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5123 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5124 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5125 than the address of the jump.
5126
5127 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5128 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5129 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5130 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5131 through the next iteration.
5132
5133 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5134 stack frame.
5135
5136 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5137 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5138 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5139 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5140 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5141
5142 @smallexample
5143 (@value{GDBP}) f
5144 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5145 206 expand_input();
5146 (@value{GDBP}) until
5147 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5148 @end smallexample
5149
5150 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5151 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5152 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5153 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5154 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5155 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5156 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5157
5158 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5159 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5160 argument.
5161
5162 @item until @var{location}
5163 @itemx u @var{location}
5164 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
5165 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
5166 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5167 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5168 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5169 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5170 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5171 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5172 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5173 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5174 invocations have returned.
5175
5176 @smallexample
5177 94 int factorial (int value)
5178 95 @{
5179 96 if (value > 1) @{
5180 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5181 98 @}
5182 99 return (value);
5183 100 @}
5184 @end smallexample
5185
5186
5187 @kindex advance @var{location}
5188 @item advance @var{location}
5189 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5190 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5191 @ref{Specify Location}.
5192 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5193 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5194 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5195 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5196
5197
5198 @kindex stepi
5199 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5200 @item stepi
5201 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5202 @itemx si
5203 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5204
5205 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5206 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5207 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5208 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5209
5210 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5211
5212 @need 750
5213 @kindex nexti
5214 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5215 @item nexti
5216 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5217 @itemx ni
5218 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5219 proceed until the function returns.
5220
5221 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5222
5223 @end table
5224
5225 @anchor{range stepping}
5226 @cindex range stepping
5227 @cindex target-assisted range stepping
5228 By default, and if available, @value{GDBN} makes use of
5229 target-assisted @dfn{range stepping}. In other words, whenever you
5230 use a stepping command (e.g., @code{step}, @code{next}), @value{GDBN}
5231 tells the target to step the corresponding range of instruction
5232 addresses instead of issuing multiple single-steps. This speeds up
5233 line stepping, particularly for remote targets. Ideally, there should
5234 be no reason you would want to turn range stepping off. However, it's
5235 possible that a bug in the debug info, a bug in the remote stub (for
5236 remote targets), or even a bug in @value{GDBN} could make line
5237 stepping behave incorrectly when target-assisted range stepping is
5238 enabled. You can use the following command to turn off range stepping
5239 if necessary:
5240
5241 @table @code
5242 @kindex set range-stepping
5243 @kindex show range-stepping
5244 @item set range-stepping
5245 @itemx show range-stepping
5246 Control whether range stepping is enabled.
5247
5248 If @code{on}, and the target supports it, @value{GDBN} tells the
5249 target to step a range of addresses itself, instead of issuing
5250 multiple single-steps. If @code{off}, @value{GDBN} always issues
5251 single-steps, even if range stepping is supported by the target. The
5252 default is @code{on}.
5253
5254 @end table
5255
5256 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5257 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5258 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5259
5260 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5261 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5262 skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
5263
5264 For example, consider the following C function:
5265
5266 @smallexample
5267 101 int func()
5268 102 @{
5269 103 foo(boring());
5270 104 bar(boring());
5271 105 @}
5272 @end smallexample
5273
5274 @noindent
5275 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5276 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5277 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5278 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5279
5280 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5281 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5282 is called from many places.
5283
5284 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5285 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5286 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5287 @code{foo}.
5288
5289 You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5290 example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5291
5292 @table @code
5293 @kindex skip function
5294 @item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5295 @itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5296 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5297 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5298 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5299
5300 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5301 will be skipped.
5302
5303 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5304 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5305
5306 @kindex skip file
5307 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5308 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5309 will be skipped over when stepping.
5310
5311 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5312 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5313 @end table
5314
5315 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5316 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5317
5318 @table @code
5319 @kindex info skip
5320 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5321 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5322 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5323 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5324
5325 @table @emph
5326 @item Identifier
5327 A number identifying this skip.
5328 @item Type
5329 The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5330 @item Enabled or Disabled
5331 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5332 @item Address
5333 For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5334 being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5335 been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5336 which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5337 address here.
5338 @item What
5339 For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5340 skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5341 where it is defined.
5342 @end table
5343
5344 @kindex skip delete
5345 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5346 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5347 skips.
5348
5349 @kindex skip enable
5350 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5351 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5352 skips.
5353
5354 @kindex skip disable
5355 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5356 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5357 skips.
5358
5359 @end table
5360
5361 @node Signals
5362 @section Signals
5363 @cindex signals
5364
5365 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5366 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5367 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5368 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5369 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5370 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5371 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5372 requested an alarm).
5373
5374 @cindex fatal signals
5375 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5376 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5377 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5378 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5379 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5380 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5381
5382 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5383 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5384 signal.
5385
5386 @cindex handling signals
5387 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5388 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5389 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5390 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5391 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5392
5393 @table @code
5394 @kindex info signals
5395 @kindex info handle
5396 @item info signals
5397 @itemx info handle
5398 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5399 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5400 the defined types of signals.
5401
5402 @item info signals @var{sig}
5403 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5404
5405 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5406
5407 @item catch signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
5408 Set a catchpoint for the indicated signals. @xref{Set Catchpoints},
5409 for details about this command.
5410
5411 @kindex handle
5412 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5413 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
5414 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5415 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5416 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5417 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5418 say what change to make.
5419 @end table
5420
5421 @c @group
5422 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5423 Their full names are:
5424
5425 @table @code
5426 @item nostop
5427 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5428 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5429
5430 @item stop
5431 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5432 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5433
5434 @item print
5435 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5436
5437 @item noprint
5438 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5439 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5440
5441 @item pass
5442 @itemx noignore
5443 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5444 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5445 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5446
5447 @item nopass
5448 @itemx ignore
5449 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5450 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5451 @end table
5452 @c @end group
5453
5454 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5455 program until you
5456 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5457 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5458 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5459 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5460 program sees that signal when you continue.
5461
5462 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5463 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5464 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5465 erroneous signals.
5466
5467 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5468 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5469 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5470 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5471 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5472 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5473 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5474 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5475 Program a Signal}.
5476
5477 @cindex extra signal information
5478 @anchor{extra signal information}
5479
5480 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5481 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5482 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5483 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5484 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5485 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5486 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5487 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5488 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5489 system header.
5490
5491 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5492 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5493
5494 @smallexample
5495 @group
5496 (@value{GDBP}) continue
5497 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
5498 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
5499 69 *(int *)p = 0;
5500 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5501 type = struct @{
5502 int si_signo;
5503 int si_errno;
5504 int si_code;
5505 union @{
5506 int _pad[28];
5507 struct @{...@} _kill;
5508 struct @{...@} _timer;
5509 struct @{...@} _rt;
5510 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5511 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5512 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5513 @} _sifields;
5514 @}
5515 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5516 type = struct @{
5517 void *si_addr;
5518 @}
5519 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5520 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5521 @end group
5522 @end smallexample
5523
5524 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5525
5526 @node Thread Stops
5527 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5528
5529 @cindex stopped threads
5530 @cindex threads, stopped
5531
5532 @cindex continuing threads
5533 @cindex threads, continuing
5534
5535 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5536 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5537 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5538 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5539 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5540 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5541 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5542 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5543 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5544
5545 @menu
5546 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5547 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5548 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5549 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5550 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5551 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5552 @end menu
5553
5554 @node All-Stop Mode
5555 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5556
5557 @cindex all-stop mode
5558
5559 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5560 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5561 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5562 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5563 underfoot.
5564
5565 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5566 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5567 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5568
5569 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5570 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5571 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5572 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5573 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5574 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5575 stops.
5576
5577 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5578 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5579 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5580 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5581
5582 @cindex automatic thread selection
5583 @cindex switching threads automatically
5584 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5585 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5586 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5587 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5588 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5589 thread.
5590
5591 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5592 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5593
5594 @table @code
5595 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5596 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5597 @cindex lock scheduler
5598 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5599 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5600 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5601 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5602 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5603 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5604 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5605 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5606 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5607 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5608 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5609 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5610
5611 @item show scheduler-locking
5612 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5613 @end table
5614
5615 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5616 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5617 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5618 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5619 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5620 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5621 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5622 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5623 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5624 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5625 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5626 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5627 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5628 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5629
5630 @table @code
5631 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5632 @item set schedule-multiple
5633 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5634 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5635 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5636 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5637 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5638 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5639
5640 @item show schedule-multiple
5641 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5642 multiple processes.
5643 @end table
5644
5645 @node Non-Stop Mode
5646 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5647
5648 @cindex non-stop mode
5649
5650 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5651 @c with more details.
5652
5653 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5654 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5655 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5656 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5657 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5658 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5659
5660 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5661 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5662 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5663 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5664 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5665 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5666 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5667 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5668 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5669 independently and simultaneously.
5670
5671 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5672 or attach to your program:
5673
5674 @smallexample
5675 # Enable the async interface.
5676 set target-async 1
5677
5678 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5679 set pagination off
5680
5681 # Finally, turn it on!
5682 set non-stop on
5683 @end smallexample
5684
5685 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5686
5687 @table @code
5688 @kindex set non-stop
5689 @item set non-stop on
5690 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5691 @item set non-stop off
5692 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5693 @kindex show non-stop
5694 @item show non-stop
5695 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5696 @end table
5697
5698 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5699 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5700 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5701 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5702 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5703 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5704 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5705 default.
5706
5707 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5708 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5709 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5710
5711 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5712 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5713 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5714 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5715 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5716
5717 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5718 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5719 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5720 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5721 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5722
5723 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5724
5725 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5726 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5727 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5728 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5729 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5730 previously current thread.
5731
5732 @node Background Execution
5733 @subsection Background Execution
5734
5735 @cindex foreground execution
5736 @cindex background execution
5737 @cindex asynchronous execution
5738 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5739
5740 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5741 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5742 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5743 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5744 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5745 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5746
5747 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5748 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5749 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5750
5751 @table @code
5752 @kindex set target-async
5753 @item set target-async on
5754 Enable asynchronous mode.
5755 @item set target-async off
5756 Disable asynchronous mode.
5757 @kindex show target-async
5758 @item show target-async
5759 Show the current target-async setting.
5760 @end table
5761
5762 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5763 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5764
5765 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5766 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5767 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5768 are:
5769
5770 @table @code
5771 @kindex run&
5772 @item run
5773 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5774
5775 @item attach
5776 @kindex attach&
5777 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5778
5779 @item step
5780 @kindex step&
5781 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5782
5783 @item stepi
5784 @kindex stepi&
5785 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5786
5787 @item next
5788 @kindex next&
5789 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5790
5791 @item nexti
5792 @kindex nexti&
5793 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5794
5795 @item continue
5796 @kindex continue&
5797 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5798
5799 @item finish
5800 @kindex finish&
5801 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5802
5803 @item until
5804 @kindex until&
5805 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5806
5807 @end table
5808
5809 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5810 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5811 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5812 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5813 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5814 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5815
5816 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5817 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5818
5819 @table @code
5820 @kindex interrupt
5821 @item interrupt
5822 @itemx interrupt -a
5823
5824 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5825 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5826 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5827 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5828 @end table
5829
5830 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5831 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5832
5833 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5834 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5835 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5836
5837 @table @code
5838 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5839 @cindex thread breakpoints
5840 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5841 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5842 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5843 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5844 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5845 specify some source line.
5846
5847 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5848 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5849 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5850 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5851 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5852
5853 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5854 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5855 program.
5856
5857 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5858 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5859 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5860
5861 @smallexample
5862 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5863 @end smallexample
5864
5865 @end table
5866
5867 @node Interrupted System Calls
5868 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5869
5870 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5871 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5872 @cindex premature return from system calls
5873 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5874 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5875 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5876 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5877 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5878 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5879 stop execution.
5880
5881 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5882 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5883 style anyways.
5884
5885 For example, do not write code like this:
5886
5887 @smallexample
5888 sleep (10);
5889 @end smallexample
5890
5891 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5892 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5893
5894 Instead, write this:
5895
5896 @smallexample
5897 int unslept = 10;
5898 while (unslept > 0)
5899 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5900 @end smallexample
5901
5902 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5903 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5904 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5905 @value{GDBN}.
5906
5907 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5908 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5909 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5910 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5911
5912 @node Observer Mode
5913 @subsection Observer Mode
5914
5915 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5916 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5917 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5918 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5919 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5920
5921 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5922 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5923 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5924 mode.
5925
5926 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5927 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5928 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5929 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5930 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5931
5932 @table @code
5933
5934 @kindex observer
5935 @item set observer on
5936 @itemx set observer off
5937 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5938 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5939 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5940 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5941
5942 @item show observer
5943 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5944
5945 @kindex may-write-registers
5946 @item set may-write-registers on
5947 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5948 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5949 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5950 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5951
5952 @item show may-write-registers
5953 Show the current permission to write registers.
5954
5955 @kindex may-write-memory
5956 @item set may-write-memory on
5957 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5958 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5959 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5960 defaults to @code{on}.
5961
5962 @item show may-write-memory
5963 Show the current permission to write memory.
5964
5965 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5966 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5967 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5968 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5969 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5970 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5971
5972 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5973 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5974
5975 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5976 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5977 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5978 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5979 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5980 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5981 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5982
5983 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5984 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5985
5986 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5987 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5988 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5989 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5990 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5991 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5992 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5993
5994 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5995 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5996
5997 @kindex may-interrupt
5998 @item set may-interrupt on
5999 @itemx set may-interrupt off
6000 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
6001 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
6002 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
6003 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6004
6005 @item show may-interrupt
6006 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
6007
6008 @end table
6009
6010 @node Reverse Execution
6011 @chapter Running programs backward
6012 @cindex reverse execution
6013 @cindex running programs backward
6014
6015 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
6016 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
6017 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
6018 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
6019
6020 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
6021 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
6022 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
6023 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
6024 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
6025 all target environments can support reverse execution.
6026
6027 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
6028 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
6029 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
6030 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
6031 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
6032 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
6033 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
6034 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
6035 prior values@footnote{
6036 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
6037 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
6038 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
6039
6040 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
6041 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
6042 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
6043 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
6044 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
6045 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
6046 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
6047 }.
6048
6049 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
6050 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
6051
6052 @table @code
6053 @kindex reverse-continue
6054 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
6055 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6056 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6057 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
6058 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
6059 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
6060 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
6061
6062 @kindex reverse-step
6063 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
6064 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6065 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
6066 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
6067
6068 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
6069 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
6070 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
6071 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
6072 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
6073 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
6074
6075 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
6076 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
6077
6078 @kindex reverse-stepi
6079 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
6080 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6081 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
6082 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
6083 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
6084 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
6085 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
6086
6087 @kindex reverse-next
6088 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
6089 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6090 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
6091 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
6092 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
6093 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
6094 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
6095 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
6096 line of a function back to its return to its caller
6097 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
6098
6099 @kindex reverse-nexti
6100 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6101 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6102 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6103 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6104 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6105 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6106 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6107 frame) is reached.
6108
6109 @kindex reverse-finish
6110 @item reverse-finish
6111 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6112 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6113 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6114 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6115
6116 @kindex set exec-direction
6117 @item set exec-direction
6118 Set the direction of target execution.
6119 @item set exec-direction reverse
6120 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6121 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6122 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6123 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6124 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6125 @item set exec-direction forward
6126 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6127 This is the default.
6128 @end table
6129
6130
6131 @node Process Record and Replay
6132 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6133 @cindex process record and replay
6134 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6135
6136 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6137 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6138 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6139
6140 @cindex replay mode
6141 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6142 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6143 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6144 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6145 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6146 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6147 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6148 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6149 execution log.
6150
6151 @cindex record mode
6152 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6153 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6154 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6155 for future replay.
6156
6157 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6158 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6159 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6160 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6161 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6162 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6163
6164 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6165 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6166 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6167 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6168
6169 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6170 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6171
6172 @table @code
6173 @kindex target record
6174 @kindex target record-full
6175 @kindex target record-btrace
6176 @kindex record
6177 @kindex record full
6178 @kindex record btrace
6179 @kindex rec
6180 @kindex rec full
6181 @kindex rec btrace
6182 @item record @var{method}
6183 This command starts the process record and replay target. The
6184 recording method can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6185 the command uses the @code{full} recording method. The following
6186 recording methods are available:
6187
6188 @table @code
6189 @item full
6190 Full record/replay recording using @value{GDBN}'s software record and
6191 replay implementation. This method allows replaying and reverse
6192 execution.
6193
6194 @item btrace
6195 Hardware-supported instruction recording. This method does not allow
6196 replaying and reverse execution.
6197
6198 This recording method may not be available on all processors.
6199 @end table
6200
6201 The process record and replay target can only debug a process that is
6202 already running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with
6203 the @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording
6204 with the @kbd{record @var{method}} command.
6205
6206 Both @code{record @var{method}} and @code{rec @var{method}} are
6207 aliases of @code{target record-@var{method}}.
6208
6209 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6210 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6211 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6212 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6213 doesn't support displaced stepping.
6214
6215 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6216 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6217 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6218 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), not
6219 all recording methods are available. The @code{full} recording method
6220 does not support these two modes.
6221
6222 @kindex record stop
6223 @kindex rec s
6224 @item record stop
6225 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6226 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6227 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6228
6229 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6230 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6231 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6232 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6233 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6234
6235 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6236 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6237 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6238 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6239 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6240
6241 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6242 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6243
6244 @kindex record goto
6245 @item record goto
6246 Go to a specific location in the execution log. There are several
6247 ways to specify the location to go to:
6248
6249 @table @code
6250 @item record goto begin
6251 @itemx record goto start
6252 Go to the beginning of the execution log.
6253
6254 @item record goto end
6255 Go to the end of the execution log.
6256
6257 @item record goto @var{n}
6258 Go to instruction number @var{n} in the execution log.
6259 @end table
6260
6261 @kindex record save
6262 @item record save @var{filename}
6263 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6264 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6265 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6266
6267 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6268
6269 @kindex record restore
6270 @item record restore @var{filename}
6271 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6272 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6273
6274 @kindex set record full
6275 @item set record full insn-number-max @var{limit}
6276 @itemx set record full insn-number-max unlimited
6277 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded for the @code{full}
6278 recording method. Default value is 200000.
6279
6280 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6281 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6282 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6283 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6284 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6285 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6286 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6287 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6288
6289 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will never
6290 delete recorded instructions from the execution log. The number of
6291 recorded instructions is limited only by the available memory.
6292
6293 @kindex show record full
6294 @item show record full insn-number-max
6295 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded with the @code{full}
6296 recording method.
6297
6298 @item set record full stop-at-limit
6299 Control the behavior of the @code{full} recording method when the
6300 number of recorded instructions reaches the limit. If ON (the
6301 default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit is reached for the
6302 first time and ask you whether you want to stop the inferior or
6303 continue running it and recording the execution log. If you decide
6304 to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will cause the
6305 oldest one to be deleted.
6306
6307 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6308 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6309
6310 @item show record full stop-at-limit
6311 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6312
6313 @item set record full memory-query
6314 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6315 changes caused by an instruction for the @code{full} recording method.
6316 If ON, @value{GDBN} will query whether to stop the inferior in that
6317 case.
6318
6319 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6320 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6321 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6322 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6323 results.
6324
6325 @item show record full memory-query
6326 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6327
6328 @kindex info record
6329 @item info record
6330 Show various statistics about the recording depending on the recording
6331 method:
6332
6333 @table @code
6334 @item full
6335 For the @code{full} recording method, it shows the state of process
6336 record and its in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6337
6338 @itemize @bullet
6339 @item
6340 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6341 @item
6342 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6343 @item
6344 Highest recorded instruction number.
6345 @item
6346 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6347 @item
6348 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6349 @item
6350 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6351 @end itemize
6352
6353 @item btrace
6354 For the @code{btrace} recording method, it shows the number of
6355 instructions that have been recorded and the number of blocks of
6356 sequential control-flow that is formed by the recorded instructions.
6357 @end table
6358
6359 @kindex record delete
6360 @kindex rec del
6361 @item record delete
6362 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6363 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6364 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6365 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6366
6367 @kindex record instruction-history
6368 @kindex rec instruction-history
6369 @item record instruction-history
6370 Disassembles instructions from the recorded execution log. By
6371 default, ten instructions are disassembled. This can be changed using
6372 the @code{set record instruction-history-size} command. Instructions
6373 are printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify
6374 what part of the execution log to disassemble:
6375
6376 @table @code
6377 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}
6378 Disassembles ten instructions starting from instruction number
6379 @var{insn}.
6380
6381 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}, +/-@var{n}
6382 Disassembles @var{n} instructions around instruction number
6383 @var{insn}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, disassembles
6384 @var{n} instructions after instruction number @var{insn}. If
6385 @var{n} is preceded with @code{-}, disassembles @var{n}
6386 instructions before instruction number @var{insn}.
6387
6388 @item record instruction-history
6389 Disassembles ten more instructions after the last disassembly.
6390
6391 @item record instruction-history -
6392 Disassembles ten more instructions before the last disassembly.
6393
6394 @item record instruction-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6395 Disassembles instructions beginning with instruction number
6396 @var{begin} until instruction number @var{end}. The instruction
6397 number @var{end} is not included.
6398 @end table
6399
6400 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6401
6402 @kindex set record
6403 @item set record instruction-history-size @var{size}
6404 @itemx set record instruction-history-size unlimited
6405 Define how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6406 instruction-history} command. The default value is 10.
6407 A @var{size} of @code{unlimited} means unlimited instructions.
6408
6409 @kindex show record
6410 @item show record instruction-history-size
6411 Show how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6412 instruction-history} command.
6413
6414 @kindex record function-call-history
6415 @kindex rec function-call-history
6416 @item record function-call-history
6417 Prints the execution history at function granularity. It prints one
6418 line for each sequence of instructions that belong to the same
6419 function giving the name of that function, the source lines
6420 for this instruction sequence (if the @code{/l} modifier is
6421 specified), and the instructions numbers that form the sequence (if
6422 the @code{/i} modifier is specified).
6423
6424 @smallexample
6425 (@value{GDBP}) @b{list 1, 10}
6426 1 void foo (void)
6427 2 @{
6428 3 @}
6429 4
6430 5 void bar (void)
6431 6 @{
6432 7 ...
6433 8 foo ();
6434 9 ...
6435 10 @}
6436 (@value{GDBP}) @b{record function-call-history /l}
6437 1 foo.c:6-8 bar
6438 2 foo.c:2-3 foo
6439 3 foo.c:9-10 bar
6440 @end smallexample
6441
6442 By default, ten lines are printed. This can be changed using the
6443 @code{set record function-call-history-size} command. Functions are
6444 printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify what
6445 to print:
6446
6447 @table @code
6448 @item record function-call-history @var{func}
6449 Prints ten functions starting from function number @var{func}.
6450
6451 @item record function-call-history @var{func}, +/-@var{n}
6452 Prints @var{n} functions around function number @var{func}. If
6453 @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, prints @var{n} functions after
6454 function number @var{func}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{-},
6455 prints @var{n} functions before function number @var{func}.
6456
6457 @item record function-call-history
6458 Prints ten more functions after the last ten-line print.
6459
6460 @item record function-call-history -
6461 Prints ten more functions before the last ten-line print.
6462
6463 @item record function-call-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6464 Prints functions beginning with function number @var{begin} until
6465 function number @var{end}. The function number @var{end} is not
6466 included.
6467 @end table
6468
6469 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6470
6471 @item set record function-call-history-size @var{size}
6472 @itemx set record function-call-history-size unlimited
6473 Define how many lines to print in the
6474 @code{record function-call-history} command. The default value is 10.
6475 A size of @code{unlimited} means unlimited lines.
6476
6477 @item show record function-call-history-size
6478 Show how many lines to print in the
6479 @code{record function-call-history} command.
6480 @end table
6481
6482
6483 @node Stack
6484 @chapter Examining the Stack
6485
6486 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6487 stopped and how it got there.
6488
6489 @cindex call stack
6490 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6491 is generated.
6492 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6493 the arguments of the call,
6494 and the local variables of the function being called.
6495 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6496 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6497 stack}.
6498
6499 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6500 stack allow you to see all of this information.
6501
6502 @cindex selected frame
6503 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6504 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6505 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6506 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6507 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6508 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6509
6510 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6511 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6512 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6513
6514 @menu
6515 * Frames:: Stack frames
6516 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
6517 * Frame Filter Management:: Managing frame filters
6518 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
6519 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6520
6521 @end menu
6522
6523 @node Frames
6524 @section Stack Frames
6525
6526 @cindex frame, definition
6527 @cindex stack frame
6528 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6529 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6530 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6531 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6532 which the function is executing.
6533
6534 @cindex initial frame
6535 @cindex outermost frame
6536 @cindex innermost frame
6537 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6538 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6539 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6540 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6541 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6542 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6543 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6544 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6545
6546 @cindex frame pointer
6547 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6548 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6549 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6550 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6551 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6552 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6553
6554 @cindex frame number
6555 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6556 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6557 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6558 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6559 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6560
6561 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6562 @c underflow problems.
6563 @cindex frameless execution
6564 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6565 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6566 @smallexample
6567 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6568 @end smallexample
6569 generates functions without a frame.)
6570 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6571 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6572 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6573 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6574 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6575 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6576 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6577
6578 @table @code
6579 @kindex frame@r{, command}
6580 @cindex current stack frame
6581 @item frame @var{args}
6582 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
6583 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
6584 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
6585 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
6586
6587 @kindex select-frame
6588 @cindex selecting frame silently
6589 @item select-frame
6590 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
6591 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
6592 @code{frame}.
6593 @end table
6594
6595 @node Backtrace
6596 @section Backtraces
6597
6598 @cindex traceback
6599 @cindex call stack traces
6600 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6601 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6602 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6603 stack.
6604
6605 @anchor{backtrace-command}
6606 @table @code
6607 @kindex backtrace
6608 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6609 @item backtrace
6610 @itemx bt
6611 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6612 frames in the stack.
6613
6614 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6615 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6616
6617 @item backtrace @var{n}
6618 @itemx bt @var{n}
6619 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6620
6621 @item backtrace -@var{n}
6622 @itemx bt -@var{n}
6623 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6624
6625 @item backtrace full
6626 @itemx bt full
6627 @itemx bt full @var{n}
6628 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
6629 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
6630 number of frames to print, as described above.
6631
6632 @item backtrace no-filters
6633 @itemx bt no-filters
6634 @itemx bt no-filters @var{n}
6635 @itemx bt no-filters -@var{n}
6636 @itemx bt no-filters full
6637 @itemx bt no-filters full @var{n}
6638 @itemx bt no-filters full -@var{n}
6639 Do not run Python frame filters on this backtrace. @xref{Frame
6640 Filter API}, for more information. Additionally use @ref{disable
6641 frame-filter all} to turn off all frame filters. This is only
6642 relevant when @value{GDBN} has been configured with @code{Python}
6643 support.
6644 @end table
6645
6646 @kindex where
6647 @kindex info stack
6648 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
6649 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
6650
6651 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
6652 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
6653 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
6654 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
6655 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
6656 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
6657 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
6658 multi-threaded program.
6659
6660 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
6661 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
6662 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
6663 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
6664 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
6665 line number.
6666
6667 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
6668 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
6669
6670 @smallexample
6671 @group
6672 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6673 at builtin.c:993
6674 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
6675 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
6676 at macro.c:71
6677 (More stack frames follow...)
6678 @end group
6679 @end smallexample
6680
6681 @noindent
6682 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
6683 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
6684 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
6685
6686 @noindent
6687 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
6688 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
6689 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
6690 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
6691 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6692
6693 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6694 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6695 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6696 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6697 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6698 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6699 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6700 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6701 such a backtrace might look like:
6702
6703 @smallexample
6704 @group
6705 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6706 at builtin.c:993
6707 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6708 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6709 at macro.c:71
6710 (More stack frames follow...)
6711 @end group
6712 @end smallexample
6713
6714 @noindent
6715 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6716 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6717
6718 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6719 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6720 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6721
6722 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6723 @cindex program entry point
6724 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6725 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6726 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6727 @code{main}@footnote{
6728 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6729 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6730 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6731 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6732 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6733 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6734
6735 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6736 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6737
6738 @table @code
6739 @item set backtrace past-main
6740 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6741 @kindex set backtrace
6742 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6743
6744 @item set backtrace past-main off
6745 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6746 default.
6747
6748 @item show backtrace past-main
6749 @kindex show backtrace
6750 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6751
6752 @item set backtrace past-entry
6753 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6754 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6755 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6756 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6757
6758 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6759 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6760 application. This is the default.
6761
6762 @item show backtrace past-entry
6763 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6764
6765 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6766 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6767 @itemx set backtrace limit unlimited
6768 @cindex backtrace limit
6769 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of @code{unlimited}
6770 or zero means unlimited levels.
6771
6772 @item show backtrace limit
6773 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6774 @end table
6775
6776 You can control how file names are displayed.
6777
6778 @table @code
6779 @item set filename-display
6780 @itemx set filename-display relative
6781 @cindex filename-display
6782 Display file names relative to the compilation directory. This is the default.
6783
6784 @item set filename-display basename
6785 Display only basename of a filename.
6786
6787 @item set filename-display absolute
6788 Display an absolute filename.
6789
6790 @item show filename-display
6791 Show the current way to display filenames.
6792 @end table
6793
6794 @node Frame Filter Management
6795 @section Management of Frame Filters.
6796 @cindex managing frame filters
6797
6798 Frame filters are Python based utilities to manage and decorate the
6799 output of frames. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for further information.
6800
6801 Managing frame filters is performed by several commands available
6802 within @value{GDBN}, detailed here.
6803
6804 @table @code
6805 @kindex info frame-filter
6806 @item info frame-filter
6807 Print a list of installed frame filters from all dictionaries, showing
6808 their name, priority and enabled status.
6809
6810 @kindex disable frame-filter
6811 @anchor{disable frame-filter all}
6812 @item disable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
6813 Disable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6814 @var{filter-dictionary}, or @code{all}, and @var{filter-name}.
6815 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
6816 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6817 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters
6818 across all dictionaries are disabled. @var{filter-name} is the name
6819 of the frame filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
6820 @var{filter-dictionary}. A disabled frame-filter is not deleted, it
6821 may be enabled again later.
6822
6823 @kindex enable frame-filter
6824 @item enable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
6825 Enable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6826 @var{filter-dictionary}, or @code{all}, and @var{filter-name}.
6827 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
6828 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6829 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters across
6830 all dictionaries are enabled. @var{filter-name} is the name of the frame
6831 filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
6832 @var{filter-dictionary}.
6833
6834 Example:
6835
6836 @smallexample
6837 (gdb) info frame-filter
6838
6839 global frame-filters:
6840 Priority Enabled Name
6841 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
6842 100 Yes Reverse
6843
6844 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6845 Priority Enabled Name
6846 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6847
6848 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6849 Priority Enabled Name
6850 999 Yes BuildProgra Filter
6851
6852 (gdb) disable frame-filter /build/test BuildProgramFilter
6853 (gdb) info frame-filter
6854
6855 global frame-filters:
6856 Priority Enabled Name
6857 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
6858 100 Yes Reverse
6859
6860 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6861 Priority Enabled Name
6862 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6863
6864 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6865 Priority Enabled Name
6866 999 No BuildProgramFilter
6867
6868 (gdb) enable frame-filter global PrimaryFunctionFilter
6869 (gdb) info frame-filter
6870
6871 global frame-filters:
6872 Priority Enabled Name
6873 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
6874 100 Yes Reverse
6875
6876 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6877 Priority Enabled Name
6878 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6879
6880 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6881 Priority Enabled Name
6882 999 No BuildProgramFilter
6883 @end smallexample
6884
6885 @kindex set frame-filter priority
6886 @item set frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name} @var{priority}
6887 Set the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6888 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
6889 @var{filter-name}. @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
6890 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6891 dictionary resides. @var{priority} is an integer.
6892
6893 @kindex show frame-filter priority
6894 @item show frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
6895 Show the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6896 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
6897 @var{filter-name}. @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
6898 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6899 dictionary resides.
6900
6901 Example:
6902
6903 @smallexample
6904 (gdb) info frame-filter
6905
6906 global frame-filters:
6907 Priority Enabled Name
6908 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
6909 100 Yes Reverse
6910
6911 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6912 Priority Enabled Name
6913 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6914
6915 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6916 Priority Enabled Name
6917 999 No BuildProgramFilter
6918
6919 (gdb) set frame-filter priority global Reverse 50
6920 (gdb) info frame-filter
6921
6922 global frame-filters:
6923 Priority Enabled Name
6924 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
6925 50 Yes Reverse
6926
6927 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6928 Priority Enabled Name
6929 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6930
6931 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6932 Priority Enabled Name
6933 999 No BuildProgramFilter
6934 @end smallexample
6935 @end table
6936
6937 @node Selection
6938 @section Selecting a Frame
6939
6940 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6941 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6942 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6943 of the stack frame just selected.
6944
6945 @table @code
6946 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6947 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6948 @item frame @var{n}
6949 @itemx f @var{n}
6950 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6951 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6952 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6953 @code{main}.
6954
6955 @item frame @var{addr}
6956 @itemx f @var{addr}
6957 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6958 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6959 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6960 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6961 switches between them.
6962
6963 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6964 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6965
6966 On the @acronym{MIPS} and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6967 pointer and a program counter.
6968
6969 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6970 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6971
6972 @kindex up
6973 @item up @var{n}
6974 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6975 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6976 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6977
6978 @kindex down
6979 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6980 @item down @var{n}
6981 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6982 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6983 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6984 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6985 @end table
6986
6987 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6988 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6989 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6990 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6991
6992 @need 1000
6993 For example:
6994
6995 @smallexample
6996 @group
6997 (@value{GDBP}) up
6998 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6999 at env.c:10
7000 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
7001 @end group
7002 @end smallexample
7003
7004 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
7005 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
7006 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
7007 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
7008 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
7009 for details.
7010
7011 @table @code
7012 @kindex down-silently
7013 @kindex up-silently
7014 @item up-silently @var{n}
7015 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
7016 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
7017 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
7018 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
7019 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
7020 distracting.
7021 @end table
7022
7023 @node Frame Info
7024 @section Information About a Frame
7025
7026 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
7027 stack frame.
7028
7029 @table @code
7030 @item frame
7031 @itemx f
7032 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
7033 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
7034 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
7035 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
7036 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7037
7038 @kindex info frame
7039 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
7040 @item info frame
7041 @itemx info f
7042 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
7043 including:
7044
7045 @itemize @bullet
7046 @item
7047 the address of the frame
7048 @item
7049 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
7050 @item
7051 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
7052 @item
7053 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
7054 @item
7055 the address of the frame's arguments
7056 @item
7057 the address of the frame's local variables
7058 @item
7059 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
7060 @item
7061 which registers were saved in the frame
7062 @end itemize
7063
7064 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
7065 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
7066 the usual conventions.
7067
7068 @item info frame @var{addr}
7069 @itemx info f @var{addr}
7070 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
7071 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
7072 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
7073 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
7074 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7075
7076 @kindex info args
7077 @item info args
7078 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
7079
7080 @item info locals
7081 @kindex info locals
7082 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
7083 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
7084 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
7085
7086 @end table
7087
7088
7089 @node Source
7090 @chapter Examining Source Files
7091
7092 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
7093 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
7094 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
7095 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
7096 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
7097 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
7098 source files by explicit command.
7099
7100 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
7101 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
7102 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
7103
7104 @menu
7105 * List:: Printing source lines
7106 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
7107 * Edit:: Editing source files
7108 * Search:: Searching source files
7109 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
7110 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
7111 @end menu
7112
7113 @node List
7114 @section Printing Source Lines
7115
7116 @kindex list
7117 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
7118 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
7119 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
7120 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
7121 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
7122
7123 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
7124
7125 @table @code
7126 @item list @var{linenum}
7127 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
7128 current source file.
7129
7130 @item list @var{function}
7131 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
7132 @var{function}.
7133
7134 @item list
7135 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
7136 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
7137 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
7138 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
7139 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
7140
7141 @item list -
7142 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7143 @end table
7144
7145 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
7146 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
7147 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
7148
7149 @table @code
7150 @kindex set listsize
7151 @item set listsize @var{count}
7152 @itemx set listsize unlimited
7153 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
7154 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
7155 Setting @var{count} to @code{unlimited} or 0 means there's no limit.
7156
7157 @kindex show listsize
7158 @item show listsize
7159 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
7160 @end table
7161
7162 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
7163 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
7164 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
7165 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
7166 each repetition moves up in the source file.
7167
7168 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
7169 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
7170 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
7171 to specify some source line.
7172
7173 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
7174
7175 @table @code
7176 @item list @var{linespec}
7177 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
7178
7179 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
7180 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
7181 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
7182 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
7183 the same source file as the first linespec.
7184
7185 @item list ,@var{last}
7186 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
7187
7188 @item list @var{first},
7189 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
7190
7191 @item list +
7192 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
7193
7194 @item list -
7195 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7196
7197 @item list
7198 As described in the preceding table.
7199 @end table
7200
7201 @node Specify Location
7202 @section Specifying a Location
7203 @cindex specifying location
7204 @cindex linespec
7205
7206 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
7207 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
7208 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
7209 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
7210
7211 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
7212 @value{GDBN} understands:
7213
7214 @table @code
7215 @item @var{linenum}
7216 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
7217
7218 @item -@var{offset}
7219 @itemx +@var{offset}
7220 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
7221 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
7222 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
7223 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
7224 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
7225 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
7226 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
7227 linespec.
7228
7229 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
7230 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
7231 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
7232 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
7233 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
7234 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
7235 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
7236
7237 @item @var{function}
7238 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
7239 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
7240
7241 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
7242 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
7243
7244 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
7245 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
7246 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
7247 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
7248 functions in different source files.
7249
7250 @item @var{label}
7251 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
7252 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
7253 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
7254 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
7255 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
7256
7257 @item *@var{address}
7258 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
7259 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
7260 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
7261 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
7262 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
7263 source files.
7264
7265 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
7266 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
7267 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
7268 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
7269 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
7270 of @var{address}:
7271
7272 @table @code
7273 @item @var{expression}
7274 Any expression valid in the current working language.
7275
7276 @item @var{funcaddr}
7277 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
7278 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
7279 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
7280 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
7281 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
7282 (although the Pascal form also works).
7283
7284 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
7285 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
7286
7287 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
7288 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
7289 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
7290 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
7291 functions with identical names in different source files.
7292 @end table
7293
7294 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
7295 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
7296 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
7297 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
7298 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
7299 specifies the location of such a static probe.
7300
7301 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
7302 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
7303 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
7304 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
7305 each one of those probes.
7306
7307 @end table
7308
7309
7310 @node Edit
7311 @section Editing Source Files
7312 @cindex editing source files
7313
7314 @kindex edit
7315 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
7316 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
7317 The editing program of your choice
7318 is invoked with the current line set to
7319 the active line in the program.
7320 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
7321 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
7322
7323 @table @code
7324 @item edit @var{location}
7325 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
7326 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
7327 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
7328 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
7329 command most commonly used:
7330
7331 @table @code
7332 @item edit @var{number}
7333 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
7334
7335 @item edit @var{function}
7336 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
7337 @end table
7338
7339 @end table
7340
7341 @subsection Choosing your Editor
7342 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
7343 @footnote{
7344 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
7345 following command-line syntax:
7346 @smallexample
7347 ex +@var{number} file
7348 @end smallexample
7349 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
7350 the file where to start editing.}.
7351 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
7352 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
7353 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
7354 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
7355 @smallexample
7356 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
7357 export EDITOR
7358 gdb @dots{}
7359 @end smallexample
7360 or in the @code{csh} shell,
7361 @smallexample
7362 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
7363 gdb @dots{}
7364 @end smallexample
7365
7366 @node Search
7367 @section Searching Source Files
7368 @cindex searching source files
7369
7370 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
7371 regular expression.
7372
7373 @table @code
7374 @kindex search
7375 @kindex forward-search
7376 @kindex fo @r{(@code{forward-search})}
7377 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
7378 @itemx search @var{regexp}
7379 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
7380 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
7381 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
7382 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
7383 @code{fo}.
7384
7385 @kindex reverse-search
7386 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
7387 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
7388 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
7389 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
7390 this command as @code{rev}.
7391 @end table
7392
7393 @node Source Path
7394 @section Specifying Source Directories
7395
7396 @cindex source path
7397 @cindex directories for source files
7398 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
7399 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
7400 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
7401 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
7402 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
7403 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
7404 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
7405
7406 For example, suppose an executable references the file
7407 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
7408 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
7409 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
7410 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
7411 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
7412 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
7413 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
7414 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
7415 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
7416 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
7417
7418 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
7419 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
7420 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
7421 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
7422 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
7423 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
7424
7425 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
7426 source files.
7427
7428 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
7429 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
7430 each line is in the file.
7431
7432 @kindex directory
7433 @kindex dir
7434 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
7435 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
7436 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
7437
7438 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
7439 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
7440
7441 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
7442 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
7443 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
7444 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
7445 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
7446 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
7447 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
7448 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
7449 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
7450 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
7451 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
7452 name to look up the sources.
7453
7454 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
7455 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
7456 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
7457 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
7458 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
7459 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
7460 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
7461 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
7462
7463 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
7464 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
7465 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
7466 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
7467 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
7468 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
7469 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
7470
7471 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
7472 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
7473 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
7474 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
7475 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
7476 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
7477 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
7478 command.
7479
7480 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
7481 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
7482 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
7483 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
7484 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
7485 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
7486 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
7487
7488 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
7489 @cindex default source path substitution
7490 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
7491 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
7492 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
7493 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
7494 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
7495 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
7496 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
7497 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
7498 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
7499 together.
7500
7501 @table @code
7502 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
7503 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
7504 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
7505 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
7506 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
7507 part of absolute file names) or
7508 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
7509 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7510
7511 @kindex cdir
7512 @kindex cwd
7513 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
7514 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
7515 @cindex compilation directory
7516 @cindex current directory
7517 @cindex working directory
7518 @cindex directory, current
7519 @cindex directory, compilation
7520 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
7521 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
7522 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
7523 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7524 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
7525 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
7526
7527 @item directory
7528 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
7529
7530 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
7531 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
7532
7533 @item set directories @var{path-list}
7534 @kindex set directories
7535 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
7536 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
7537
7538 @item show directories
7539 @kindex show directories
7540 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
7541
7542 @anchor{set substitute-path}
7543 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
7544 @kindex set substitute-path
7545 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
7546 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
7547 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
7548
7549 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
7550 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
7551
7552 @smallexample
7553 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
7554 @end smallexample
7555
7556 @noindent
7557 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
7558 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
7559 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
7560
7561 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
7562 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
7563 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
7564 the substitution.
7565
7566 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
7567
7568 @smallexample
7569 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
7570 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
7571 @end smallexample
7572
7573 @noindent
7574 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
7575 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
7576 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
7577 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
7578
7579
7580 @item unset substitute-path [path]
7581 @kindex unset substitute-path
7582 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
7583 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
7584 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
7585
7586 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
7587
7588 @item show substitute-path [path]
7589 @kindex show substitute-path
7590 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
7591 which would rewrite that path, if any.
7592
7593 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
7594 rules.
7595
7596 @end table
7597
7598 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
7599 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
7600 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
7601
7602 @enumerate
7603 @item
7604 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
7605
7606 @item
7607 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
7608 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
7609 directories in one command.
7610 @end enumerate
7611
7612 @node Machine Code
7613 @section Source and Machine Code
7614 @cindex source line and its code address
7615
7616 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
7617 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
7618 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
7619 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
7620 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
7621 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
7622 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
7623 well as hex.
7624
7625 @table @code
7626 @kindex info line
7627 @item info line @var{linespec}
7628 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
7629 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
7630 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
7631 @end table
7632
7633 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
7634 the object code for the first line of function
7635 @code{m4_changequote}:
7636
7637 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
7638 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
7639 @smallexample
7640 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
7641 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
7642 @end smallexample
7643
7644 @noindent
7645 @cindex code address and its source line
7646 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
7647 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
7648 @smallexample
7649 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
7650 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
7651 @end smallexample
7652
7653 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
7654 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
7655 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
7656 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
7657 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
7658 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
7659 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
7660 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7661 Variables}).
7662
7663 @table @code
7664 @kindex disassemble
7665 @cindex assembly instructions
7666 @cindex instructions, assembly
7667 @cindex machine instructions
7668 @cindex listing machine instructions
7669 @item disassemble
7670 @itemx disassemble /m
7671 @itemx disassemble /r
7672 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
7673 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
7674 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
7675 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
7676 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
7677 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
7678 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
7679 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
7680 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
7681 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
7682
7683 @table @code
7684 @item @var{start},@var{end}
7685 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
7686 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
7687 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
7688 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
7689 @end table
7690
7691 @noindent
7692 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
7693 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
7694
7695 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
7696 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
7697
7698 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
7699 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
7700 @end table
7701
7702 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
7703 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
7704
7705 @smallexample
7706 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
7707 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
7708 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
7709 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
7710 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7711 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
7712 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
7713 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
7714 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
7715 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7716 End of assembler dump.
7717 @end smallexample
7718
7719 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
7720 program is stopped just after function prologue:
7721
7722 @smallexample
7723 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
7724 Dump of assembler code for function main:
7725 5 @{
7726 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
7727 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
7728 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
7729 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
7730 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
7731
7732 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
7733 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
7734 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
7735
7736 7 return 0;
7737 8 @}
7738 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
7739 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
7740 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
7741
7742 End of assembler dump.
7743 @end smallexample
7744
7745 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
7746
7747 @smallexample
7748 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
7749 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
7750 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
7751 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
7752 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
7753 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
7754 End of assembler dump.
7755 @end smallexample
7756
7757 Addresses cannot be specified as a linespec (@pxref{Specify Location}).
7758 So, for example, if you want to disassemble function @code{bar}
7759 in file @file{foo.c}, you must type @samp{disassemble 'foo.c'::bar}
7760 and not @samp{disassemble foo.c:bar}.
7761
7762 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
7763 mnemonics or other syntax.
7764
7765 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
7766 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
7767 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
7768 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
7769 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
7770
7771 @table @code
7772 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
7773 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
7774 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
7775 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
7776 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
7777 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
7778
7779 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
7780 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
7781 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
7782 assemblers for x86-based targets.
7783
7784 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
7785 @item show disassembly-flavor
7786 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
7787 @end table
7788
7789 @table @code
7790 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
7791 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
7792 @item set disassemble-next-line
7793 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
7794 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
7795 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
7796 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
7797 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
7798 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
7799 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
7800 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
7801 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
7802 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
7803 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
7804 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
7805 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
7806 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
7807 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
7808 instruction.
7809 @end table
7810
7811
7812 @node Data
7813 @chapter Examining Data
7814
7815 @cindex printing data
7816 @cindex examining data
7817 @kindex print
7818 @kindex inspect
7819 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
7820 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
7821 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
7822 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
7823 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
7824 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
7825
7826 @table @code
7827 @item print @var{expr}
7828 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
7829 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
7830 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
7831 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
7832 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
7833 Formats}.
7834
7835 @item print
7836 @itemx print /@var{f}
7837 @cindex reprint the last value
7838 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
7839 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
7840 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
7841 @end table
7842
7843 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
7844 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
7845 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7846
7847 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
7848 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
7849 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
7850 Table}.
7851
7852 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
7853 @kindex explore
7854 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
7855 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
7856 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
7857 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
7858 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
7859 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
7860 embedded in the higher level data types.
7861
7862 @table @code
7863 @item explore @var{arg}
7864 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
7865 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
7866 @end table
7867
7868 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
7869 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
7870 C program as
7871
7872 @smallexample
7873 struct SimpleStruct
7874 @{
7875 int i;
7876 double d;
7877 @};
7878
7879 struct ComplexStruct
7880 @{
7881 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
7882 int arr[10];
7883 @};
7884 @end smallexample
7885
7886 @noindent
7887 followed by variable declarations as
7888
7889 @smallexample
7890 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
7891 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
7892 @end smallexample
7893
7894 @noindent
7895 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
7896 @code{explore} command as follows.
7897
7898 @smallexample
7899 (gdb) explore cs
7900 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
7901 the following fields:
7902
7903 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
7904 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
7905
7906 Enter the field number of choice:
7907 @end smallexample
7908
7909 @noindent
7910 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
7911 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
7912 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
7913 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
7914 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
7915 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
7916 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
7917 field will be explored as if it were an array.
7918
7919 @smallexample
7920 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
7921 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
7922 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
7923 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
7924
7925 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
7926 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
7927
7928 Press enter to return to parent value:
7929 @end smallexample
7930
7931 @noindent
7932 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
7933 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
7934 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
7935 to explore.
7936
7937 @smallexample
7938 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
7939 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
7940
7941 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
7942
7943 (cs.arr)[5] = 4
7944
7945 Press enter to return to parent value:
7946 @end smallexample
7947
7948 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
7949 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
7950 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
7951 level data structure).
7952
7953 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
7954 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
7955 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
7956 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
7957 same example as above, your can explore the type
7958 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
7959 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
7960
7961 @smallexample
7962 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
7963 @end smallexample
7964
7965 @noindent
7966 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
7967 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
7968 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
7969 example.
7970
7971 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
7972 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
7973 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
7974 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
7975 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
7976
7977 @table @code
7978 @item explore value @var{expr}
7979 @cindex explore value
7980 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
7981 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
7982 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
7983 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
7984 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
7985
7986 @item explore type @var{arg}
7987 @cindex explore type
7988 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
7989 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
7990 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
7991 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
7992 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
7993 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
7994 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
7995 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
7996 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
7997 @end table
7998
7999 @menu
8000 * Expressions:: Expressions
8001 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
8002 * Variables:: Program variables
8003 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
8004 * Output Formats:: Output formats
8005 * Memory:: Examining memory
8006 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
8007 * Print Settings:: Print settings
8008 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
8009 * Value History:: Value history
8010 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
8011 * Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
8012 * Registers:: Registers
8013 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
8014 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
8015 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
8016 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
8017 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
8018 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
8019 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
8020 character set than GDB does
8021 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
8022 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
8023 @end menu
8024
8025 @node Expressions
8026 @section Expressions
8027
8028 @cindex expressions
8029 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
8030 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
8031 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
8032 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
8033 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
8034 you compiled your program to include this information; see
8035 @ref{Compilation}.
8036
8037 @cindex arrays in expressions
8038 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
8039 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
8040 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
8041 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
8042 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
8043 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
8044
8045 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
8046 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
8047 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
8048 languages.
8049
8050 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
8051 expressions regardless of your programming language.
8052
8053 @cindex casts, in expressions
8054 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
8055 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
8056 at that address in memory.
8057 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
8058
8059 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
8060 to programming languages:
8061
8062 @table @code
8063 @item @@
8064 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
8065 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
8066
8067 @item ::
8068 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
8069 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
8070
8071 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
8072 @cindex type casting memory
8073 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
8074 @cindex casts, to view memory
8075 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
8076 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
8077 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
8078 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
8079 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
8080 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
8081 @end table
8082
8083 @node Ambiguous Expressions
8084 @section Ambiguous Expressions
8085 @cindex ambiguous expressions
8086
8087 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
8088 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
8089 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
8090 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
8091 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
8092 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
8093 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
8094
8095 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
8096 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
8097 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
8098 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
8099 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
8100 as well.
8101
8102 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
8103 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
8104 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
8105 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
8106 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
8107 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
8108 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
8109 choices.
8110
8111 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
8112 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
8113 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
8114
8115 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
8116 @smallexample
8117 @group
8118 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
8119 [0] cancel
8120 [1] all
8121 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
8122 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
8123 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
8124 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
8125 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
8126 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
8127 > 2 4 6
8128 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
8129 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
8130 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
8131 Multiple breakpoints were set.
8132 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
8133 breakpoints.
8134 (@value{GDBP})
8135 @end group
8136 @end smallexample
8137
8138 @table @code
8139 @kindex set multiple-symbols
8140 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
8141 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
8142
8143 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
8144 is ambiguous.
8145
8146 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
8147 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
8148 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
8149 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
8150 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
8151 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
8152 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
8153 in the use of the menu.
8154
8155 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
8156 when an ambiguity is detected.
8157
8158 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
8159 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
8160
8161 @kindex show multiple-symbols
8162 @item show multiple-symbols
8163 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
8164 @end table
8165
8166 @node Variables
8167 @section Program Variables
8168
8169 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
8170 in your program.
8171
8172 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
8173 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
8174
8175 @itemize @bullet
8176 @item
8177 global (or file-static)
8178 @end itemize
8179
8180 @noindent or
8181
8182 @itemize @bullet
8183 @item
8184 visible according to the scope rules of the
8185 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
8186 @end itemize
8187
8188 @noindent This means that in the function
8189
8190 @smallexample
8191 foo (a)
8192 int a;
8193 @{
8194 bar (a);
8195 @{
8196 int b = test ();
8197 bar (b);
8198 @}
8199 @}
8200 @end smallexample
8201
8202 @noindent
8203 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
8204 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
8205 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
8206 the block where @code{b} is declared.
8207
8208 @cindex variable name conflict
8209 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
8210 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
8211 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
8212 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
8213 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
8214 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
8215 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
8216
8217 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
8218 @ifnotinfo
8219 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
8220 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
8221 @end ifnotinfo
8222 @smallexample
8223 @var{file}::@var{variable}
8224 @var{function}::@var{variable}
8225 @end smallexample
8226
8227 @noindent
8228 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
8229 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
8230 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
8231 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
8232
8233 @smallexample
8234 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
8235 @end smallexample
8236
8237 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
8238 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
8239 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
8240 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
8241 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
8242
8243 @smallexample
8244 void
8245 foo (int a)
8246 @{
8247 if (a < 10)
8248 bar (a);
8249 else
8250 process (a); /* Stop here */
8251 @}
8252
8253 int
8254 bar (int a)
8255 @{
8256 foo (a + 5);
8257 @}
8258 @end smallexample
8259
8260 @noindent
8261 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
8262 here is what you might see
8263 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
8264
8265 @smallexample
8266 (@value{GDBP}) p a
8267 $1 = 10
8268 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8269 $2 = 5
8270 (@value{GDBP}) up 2
8271 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
8272 (@value{GDBP}) p a
8273 $3 = 5
8274 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8275 $4 = 0
8276 @end smallexample
8277
8278 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
8279 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very similar
8280 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
8281 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
8282 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
8283 @c conflict?? --mew
8284
8285 @cindex wrong values
8286 @cindex variable values, wrong
8287 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
8288 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
8289 @quotation
8290 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
8291 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
8292 scope, and just before exit.
8293 @end quotation
8294 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
8295 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
8296 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
8297 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
8298 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
8299 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
8300 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
8301 variable definitions may be gone.
8302
8303 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
8304 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
8305 when compiling.
8306
8307 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
8308 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
8309 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
8310 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
8311 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
8312 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
8313 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
8314
8315 @smallexample
8316 No symbol "foo" in current context.
8317 @end smallexample
8318
8319 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
8320 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
8321 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
8322 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
8323 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
8324
8325 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
8326 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
8327 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
8328 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
8329
8330 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
8331 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
8332 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
8333 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
8334 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
8335
8336 @smallexample
8337 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
8338 29 i++;
8339 (gdb) next
8340 30 e (i);
8341 (gdb) print i
8342 $1 = 31
8343 (gdb) print i@@entry
8344 $2 = 30
8345 @end smallexample
8346
8347 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
8348 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
8349 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
8350 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
8351 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
8352 For program code
8353
8354 @smallexample
8355 char var0[] = "A";
8356 signed char var1[] = "A";
8357 @end smallexample
8358
8359 You get during debugging
8360 @smallexample
8361 (gdb) print var0
8362 $1 = "A"
8363 (gdb) print var1
8364 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
8365 @end smallexample
8366
8367 @node Arrays
8368 @section Artificial Arrays
8369
8370 @cindex artificial array
8371 @cindex arrays
8372 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
8373 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
8374 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
8375 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
8376 program.
8377
8378 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
8379 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
8380 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
8381 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
8382 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
8383 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
8384 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
8385 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
8386 example. If a program says
8387
8388 @smallexample
8389 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
8390 @end smallexample
8391
8392 @noindent
8393 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
8394
8395 @smallexample
8396 p *array@@len
8397 @end smallexample
8398
8399 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
8400 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
8401 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
8402 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
8403 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
8404
8405 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
8406 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
8407 The value need not be in memory:
8408 @smallexample
8409 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
8410 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8411 @end smallexample
8412
8413 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
8414 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
8415 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
8416 @smallexample
8417 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
8418 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8419 @end smallexample
8420
8421 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
8422 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
8423 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
8424 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
8425 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
8426 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
8427 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
8428 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
8429 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
8430 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
8431
8432 @smallexample
8433 set $i = 0
8434 p dtab[$i++]->fv
8435 @key{RET}
8436 @key{RET}
8437 @dots{}
8438 @end smallexample
8439
8440 @node Output Formats
8441 @section Output Formats
8442
8443 @cindex formatted output
8444 @cindex output formats
8445 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
8446 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
8447 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
8448 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
8449 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
8450
8451 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
8452 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
8453 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
8454 letters supported are:
8455
8456 @table @code
8457 @item x
8458 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
8459 hexadecimal.
8460
8461 @item d
8462 Print as integer in signed decimal.
8463
8464 @item u
8465 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
8466
8467 @item o
8468 Print as integer in octal.
8469
8470 @item t
8471 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
8472 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
8473 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
8474 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
8475
8476 @item a
8477 @cindex unknown address, locating
8478 @cindex locate address
8479 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
8480 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
8481 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
8482
8483 @smallexample
8484 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
8485 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
8486 @end smallexample
8487
8488 @noindent
8489 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
8490 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
8491
8492 @item c
8493 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
8494 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
8495 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
8496 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
8497
8498 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
8499 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
8500 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
8501 data.
8502
8503 @item f
8504 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
8505 using typical floating point syntax.
8506
8507 @item s
8508 @cindex printing strings
8509 @cindex printing byte arrays
8510 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
8511 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
8512 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
8513 natural types.
8514
8515 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
8516 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
8517 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
8518 array.
8519
8520 @item z
8521 Like @samp{x} formatting, the value is treated as an integer and
8522 printed as hexadecimal, but leading zeros are printed to pad the value
8523 to the size of the integer type.
8524
8525 @item r
8526 @cindex raw printing
8527 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
8528 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
8529 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
8530 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
8531 pretty-printer which might exist.
8532 @end table
8533
8534 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
8535
8536 @smallexample
8537 p/x $pc
8538 @end smallexample
8539
8540 @noindent
8541 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
8542 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
8543
8544 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
8545 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
8546 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
8547
8548 @node Memory
8549 @section Examining Memory
8550
8551 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
8552 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
8553
8554 @cindex examining memory
8555 @table @code
8556 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
8557 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
8558 @itemx x @var{addr}
8559 @itemx x
8560 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
8561 @end table
8562
8563 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
8564 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
8565 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
8566 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
8567 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
8568
8569 @table @r
8570 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
8571 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
8572 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
8573 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
8574 @c 4.1.2.
8575
8576 @item @var{f}, the display format
8577 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
8578 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
8579 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
8580 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
8581 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
8582
8583 @item @var{u}, the unit size
8584 The unit size is any of
8585
8586 @table @code
8587 @item b
8588 Bytes.
8589 @item h
8590 Halfwords (two bytes).
8591 @item w
8592 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
8593 @item g
8594 Giant words (eight bytes).
8595 @end table
8596
8597 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
8598 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
8599 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
8600 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
8601 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
8602 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
8603 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
8604 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
8605 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
8606 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
8607 be altered.
8608
8609 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
8610 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
8611 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
8612 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
8613 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
8614 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
8615 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
8616 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
8617 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
8618 a value from memory).
8619 @end table
8620
8621 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
8622 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
8623 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
8624 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
8625 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
8626
8627 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
8628 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
8629 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
8630 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
8631 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
8632
8633 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
8634 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
8635 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
8636 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
8637 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
8638 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
8639 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
8640 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
8641 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
8642
8643 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
8644 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
8645 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
8646 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
8647 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
8648 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
8649 for successive uses of @code{x}.
8650
8651 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
8652 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
8653
8654 @smallexample
8655 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
8656 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
8657 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
8658 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
8659 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
8660 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
8661 @end smallexample
8662
8663 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
8664 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
8665 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
8666 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
8667 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
8668 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
8669 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
8670 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
8671 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
8672
8673 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
8674 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
8675 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
8676
8677 @cindex remote memory comparison
8678 @cindex verify remote memory image
8679 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
8680 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
8681 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
8682 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
8683 situations.
8684
8685 @table @code
8686 @kindex compare-sections
8687 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
8688 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
8689 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
8690 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
8691 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
8692 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
8693 remote request.
8694 @end table
8695
8696 @node Auto Display
8697 @section Automatic Display
8698 @cindex automatic display
8699 @cindex display of expressions
8700
8701 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
8702 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
8703 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
8704 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
8705 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
8706 The automatic display looks like this:
8707
8708 @smallexample
8709 2: foo = 38
8710 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
8711 @end smallexample
8712
8713 @noindent
8714 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
8715 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
8716 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
8717 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
8718 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
8719 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
8720
8721 @table @code
8722 @kindex display
8723 @item display @var{expr}
8724 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
8725 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8726
8727 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
8728
8729 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
8730 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
8731 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
8732 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
8733 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
8734
8735 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
8736 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
8737 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
8738 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
8739 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8740 @end table
8741
8742 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
8743 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
8744 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8745
8746 @table @code
8747 @kindex delete display
8748 @kindex undisplay
8749 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
8750 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8751 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
8752 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
8753 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
8754 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
8755 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8756
8757 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
8758 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
8759
8760 @kindex disable display
8761 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8762 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
8763 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
8764 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
8765 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
8766 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
8767 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
8768 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8769
8770 @kindex enable display
8771 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8772 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
8773 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
8774 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
8775 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
8776 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
8777 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8778
8779 @item display
8780 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
8781 done when your program stops.
8782
8783 @kindex info display
8784 @item info display
8785 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
8786 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
8787 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
8788 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
8789 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
8790 @end table
8791
8792 @cindex display disabled out of scope
8793 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
8794 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
8795 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
8796 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
8797 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
8798 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
8799 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
8800 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
8801 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
8802 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
8803
8804 @node Print Settings
8805 @section Print Settings
8806
8807 @cindex format options
8808 @cindex print settings
8809 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
8810 and symbols are printed.
8811
8812 @noindent
8813 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
8814
8815 @table @code
8816 @kindex set print
8817 @item set print address
8818 @itemx set print address on
8819 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
8820 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
8821 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
8822 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
8823 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
8824 @code{set print address on}:
8825
8826 @smallexample
8827 @group
8828 (@value{GDBP}) f
8829 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
8830 at input.c:530
8831 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8832 @end group
8833 @end smallexample
8834
8835 @item set print address off
8836 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
8837 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
8838
8839 @smallexample
8840 @group
8841 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
8842 (@value{GDBP}) f
8843 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
8844 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8845 @end group
8846 @end smallexample
8847
8848 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
8849 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
8850 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
8851 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
8852
8853 @kindex show print
8854 @item show print address
8855 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
8856 @end table
8857
8858 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
8859 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
8860 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
8861 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
8862 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
8863 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
8864 it prints a symbolic address:
8865
8866 @table @code
8867 @item set print symbol-filename on
8868 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
8869 @cindex symbol, source file and line
8870 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
8871 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8872
8873 @item set print symbol-filename off
8874 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
8875 default.
8876
8877 @item show print symbol-filename
8878 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
8879 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8880 @end table
8881
8882 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
8883 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
8884 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
8885
8886 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
8887 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
8888
8889 @table @code
8890 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
8891 @itemx set print max-symbolic-offset unlimited
8892 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
8893 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
8894 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
8895 @var{max-offset}. The default is @code{unlimited}, which tells @value{GDBN}
8896 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes
8897 it. Zero is equivalent to @code{unlimited}.
8898
8899 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
8900 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
8901 symbolic address.
8902 @end table
8903
8904 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
8905 @cindex pointer, finding referent
8906 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
8907 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
8908 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
8909 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
8910 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
8911 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
8912
8913 @smallexample
8914 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
8915 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
8916 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
8917 @end smallexample
8918
8919 @quotation
8920 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
8921 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
8922 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
8923 @end quotation
8924
8925 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
8926 @samp{set print symbol on}:
8927
8928 @table @code
8929 @item set print symbol on
8930 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
8931 one exists.
8932
8933 @item set print symbol off
8934 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
8935 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
8936 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
8937
8938 @item show print symbol
8939 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
8940 address.
8941 @end table
8942
8943 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
8944
8945 @table @code
8946 @item set print array
8947 @itemx set print array on
8948 @cindex pretty print arrays
8949 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
8950 but uses more space. The default is off.
8951
8952 @item set print array off
8953 Return to compressed format for arrays.
8954
8955 @item show print array
8956 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
8957 arrays.
8958
8959 @cindex print array indexes
8960 @item set print array-indexes
8961 @itemx set print array-indexes on
8962 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
8963 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
8964 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
8965
8966 @item set print array-indexes off
8967 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
8968
8969 @item show print array-indexes
8970 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
8971 arrays.
8972
8973 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
8974 @itemx set print elements unlimited
8975 @cindex number of array elements to print
8976 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
8977 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
8978 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
8979 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
8980 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
8981 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
8982 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to @code{unlimited} or zero means
8983 that the number of elements to print is unlimited.
8984
8985 @item show print elements
8986 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
8987 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
8988
8989 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
8990 @kindex set print frame-arguments
8991 @cindex printing frame argument values
8992 @cindex print all frame argument values
8993 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
8994 @cindex do not print frame argument values
8995 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
8996 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
8997 values are:
8998
8999 @table @code
9000 @item all
9001 The values of all arguments are printed.
9002
9003 @item scalars
9004 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
9005 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
9006 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
9007 only scalar arguments are shown:
9008
9009 @smallexample
9010 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
9011 at frame-args.c:23
9012 @end smallexample
9013
9014 @item none
9015 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
9016 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
9017
9018 @smallexample
9019 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
9020 at frame-args.c:23
9021 @end smallexample
9022 @end table
9023
9024 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
9025 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
9026 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
9027 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
9028 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
9029 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
9030 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
9031 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
9032 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
9033 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
9034
9035 @item show print frame-arguments
9036 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
9037
9038 @item set print raw frame-arguments on
9039 Print frame arguments in raw, non pretty-printed, form.
9040
9041 @item set print raw frame-arguments off
9042 Print frame arguments in pretty-printed form, if there is a pretty-printer
9043 for the value (@pxref{Pretty Printing}),
9044 otherwise print the value in raw form.
9045 This is the default.
9046
9047 @item show print raw frame-arguments
9048 Show whether to print frame arguments in raw form.
9049
9050 @anchor{set print entry-values}
9051 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
9052 @kindex set print entry-values
9053 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
9054 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
9055 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
9056 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
9057 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
9058
9059 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
9060 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
9061 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
9062 @code{no} setting.
9063
9064 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
9065 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
9066 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
9067 this information.
9068
9069 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
9070
9071 @table @code
9072 @item no
9073 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
9074 point.
9075 @smallexample
9076 #0 equal (val=5)
9077 #0 different (val=6)
9078 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
9079 #0 born (val=10)
9080 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9081 @end smallexample
9082
9083 @item only
9084 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
9085 values are never printed.
9086 @smallexample
9087 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
9088 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
9089 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9090 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9091 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9092 @end smallexample
9093
9094 @item preferred
9095 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
9096 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
9097 value for such parameter.
9098 @smallexample
9099 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
9100 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
9101 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9102 #0 born (val=10)
9103 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9104 @end smallexample
9105
9106 @item if-needed
9107 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
9108 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
9109 parameter.
9110 @smallexample
9111 #0 equal (val=5)
9112 #0 different (val=6)
9113 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9114 #0 born (val=10)
9115 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9116 @end smallexample
9117
9118 @item both
9119 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
9120 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
9121 optimizations.
9122 @smallexample
9123 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
9124 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9125 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
9126 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9127 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9128 @end smallexample
9129
9130 @item compact
9131 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
9132 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
9133 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
9134 values are known and identical, print the shortened
9135 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
9136 @smallexample
9137 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
9138 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9139 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9140 #0 born (val=10)
9141 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9142 @end smallexample
9143
9144 @item default
9145 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
9146 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
9147 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
9148 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
9149 @smallexample
9150 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
9151 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9152 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
9153 #0 born (val=10)
9154 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9155 @end smallexample
9156 @end table
9157
9158 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
9159 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
9160
9161 @item show print entry-values
9162 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
9163 entry.
9164
9165 @item set print repeats @var{number-of-repeats}
9166 @itemx set print repeats unlimited
9167 @cindex repeated array elements
9168 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
9169 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
9170 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
9171 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
9172 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
9173 themselves. Setting the threshold to @code{unlimited} or zero will
9174 cause all elements to be individually printed. The default threshold
9175 is 10.
9176
9177 @item show print repeats
9178 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
9179 elements.
9180
9181 @item set print null-stop
9182 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
9183 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
9184 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
9185 contain only short strings.
9186 The default is off.
9187
9188 @item show print null-stop
9189 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
9190 @sc{null} character.
9191
9192 @item set print pretty on
9193 @cindex print structures in indented form
9194 @cindex indentation in structure display
9195 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
9196 per line, like this:
9197
9198 @smallexample
9199 @group
9200 $1 = @{
9201 next = 0x0,
9202 flags = @{
9203 sweet = 1,
9204 sour = 1
9205 @},
9206 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
9207 @}
9208 @end group
9209 @end smallexample
9210
9211 @item set print pretty off
9212 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
9213
9214 @smallexample
9215 @group
9216 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
9217 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
9218 @end group
9219 @end smallexample
9220
9221 @noindent
9222 This is the default format.
9223
9224 @item show print pretty
9225 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
9226
9227 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
9228 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
9229 @cindex octal escapes in strings
9230 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
9231 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
9232 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
9233 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
9234 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
9235
9236 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
9237 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
9238 international character sets, and is the default.
9239
9240 @item show print sevenbit-strings
9241 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
9242
9243 @item set print union on
9244 @cindex unions in structures, printing
9245 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
9246 and other unions. This is the default setting.
9247
9248 @item set print union off
9249 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
9250 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
9251 instead.
9252
9253 @item show print union
9254 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
9255 structures and other unions.
9256
9257 For example, given the declarations
9258
9259 @smallexample
9260 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
9261 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
9262 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
9263 Bug_forms;
9264
9265 struct thing @{
9266 Species it;
9267 union @{
9268 Tree_forms tree;
9269 Bug_forms bug;
9270 @} form;
9271 @};
9272
9273 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
9274 @end smallexample
9275
9276 @noindent
9277 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
9278
9279 @smallexample
9280 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
9281 @end smallexample
9282
9283 @noindent
9284 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
9285
9286 @smallexample
9287 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
9288 @end smallexample
9289
9290 @noindent
9291 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
9292 and in Pascal.
9293 @end table
9294
9295 @need 1000
9296 @noindent
9297 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
9298
9299 @table @code
9300 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
9301 @item set print demangle
9302 @itemx set print demangle on
9303 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
9304 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
9305 linkage. The default is on.
9306
9307 @item show print demangle
9308 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
9309
9310 @item set print asm-demangle
9311 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
9312 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
9313 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
9314 The default is off.
9315
9316 @item show print asm-demangle
9317 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
9318 or demangled form.
9319
9320 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
9321 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
9322 @kindex set demangle-style
9323 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
9324 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
9325 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
9326
9327 @table @code
9328 @item auto
9329 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
9330 This is the default.
9331
9332 @item gnu
9333 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
9334
9335 @item hp
9336 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
9337
9338 @item lucid
9339 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
9340
9341 @item arm
9342 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
9343 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
9344 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
9345 require further enhancement to permit that.
9346
9347 @end table
9348 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
9349
9350 @item show demangle-style
9351 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
9352
9353 @item set print object
9354 @itemx set print object on
9355 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
9356 @cindex display derived types
9357 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
9358 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
9359 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
9360 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
9361 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
9362 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
9363 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
9364
9365 @item set print object off
9366 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
9367 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
9368
9369 @item show print object
9370 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
9371
9372 @item set print static-members
9373 @itemx set print static-members on
9374 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
9375 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
9376
9377 @item set print static-members off
9378 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
9379
9380 @item show print static-members
9381 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
9382
9383 @item set print pascal_static-members
9384 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
9385 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
9386 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
9387 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
9388
9389 @item set print pascal_static-members off
9390 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
9391
9392 @item show print pascal_static-members
9393 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
9394
9395 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
9396 @item set print vtbl
9397 @itemx set print vtbl on
9398 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
9399 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
9400 @cindex VTBL display
9401 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
9402 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
9403 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
9404
9405 @item set print vtbl off
9406 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
9407
9408 @item show print vtbl
9409 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
9410 @end table
9411
9412 @node Pretty Printing
9413 @section Pretty Printing
9414
9415 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
9416 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
9417 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
9418
9419 @menu
9420 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
9421 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
9422 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
9423 @end menu
9424
9425 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
9426 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
9427
9428 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
9429 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
9430 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
9431
9432 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
9433 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
9434 pretty-printers with their names.
9435 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
9436 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
9437 Each such subprinter has its own name.
9438 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
9439
9440 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
9441 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
9442 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
9443 do anything special.
9444
9445 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
9446
9447 @itemize @bullet
9448 @item
9449 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
9450 all inferiors.
9451
9452 @item
9453 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
9454 when debugging that program.
9455 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
9456
9457 @item
9458 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
9459 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
9460 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
9461 @end itemize
9462
9463 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
9464 pretty-printers are selected,
9465
9466 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
9467 for new types.
9468
9469 @node Pretty-Printer Example
9470 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
9471
9472 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
9473
9474 @smallexample
9475 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9476 $1 = @{
9477 static npos = 4294967295,
9478 _M_dataplus = @{
9479 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
9480 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
9481 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
9482 @},
9483 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
9484 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
9485 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
9486 @}
9487 @}
9488 @end smallexample
9489
9490 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
9491
9492 @smallexample
9493 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9494 $2 = "abcd"
9495 @end smallexample
9496
9497 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
9498 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
9499 @cindex pretty-printer commands
9500
9501 @table @code
9502 @kindex info pretty-printer
9503 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9504 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
9505 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
9506
9507 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
9508 whose pretty-printers to list.
9509 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
9510 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
9511 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
9512 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
9513 looks up a printer from these three objects.
9514
9515 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
9516 to list.
9517
9518 @kindex disable pretty-printer
9519 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9520 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9521 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
9522
9523 @kindex enable pretty-printer
9524 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9525 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9526 @end table
9527
9528 Example:
9529
9530 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
9531 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
9532 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
9533 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
9534
9535 @smallexample
9536 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9537 library1.so:
9538 foo
9539 library2.so:
9540 bar
9541 bar1
9542 bar2
9543 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9544 library2.so:
9545 bar
9546 bar1
9547 bar2
9548 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
9549 1 printer disabled
9550 2 of 3 printers enabled
9551 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9552 library1.so:
9553 foo [disabled]
9554 library2.so:
9555 bar
9556 bar1
9557 bar2
9558 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
9559 1 printer disabled
9560 1 of 3 printers enabled
9561 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9562 library1.so:
9563 foo [disabled]
9564 library2.so:
9565 bar
9566 bar1 [disabled]
9567 bar2
9568 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
9569 1 printer disabled
9570 0 of 3 printers enabled
9571 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9572 library1.so:
9573 foo [disabled]
9574 library2.so:
9575 bar [disabled]
9576 bar1 [disabled]
9577 bar2
9578 @end smallexample
9579
9580 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
9581 as can each individual subprinter.
9582
9583 @node Value History
9584 @section Value History
9585
9586 @cindex value history
9587 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
9588 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
9589 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
9590 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
9591 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
9592 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
9593 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
9594 symbol table.
9595
9596 @cindex @code{$}
9597 @cindex @code{$$}
9598 @cindex history number
9599 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
9600 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
9601 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
9602 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
9603 history number.
9604
9605 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
9606 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
9607 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
9608 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
9609 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
9610 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
9611 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
9612
9613 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
9614 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
9615
9616 @smallexample
9617 p *$
9618 @end smallexample
9619
9620 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
9621 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
9622
9623 @smallexample
9624 p *$.next
9625 @end smallexample
9626
9627 @noindent
9628 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
9629 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
9630
9631 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
9632 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
9633
9634 @smallexample
9635 print x
9636 set x=5
9637 @end smallexample
9638
9639 @noindent
9640 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
9641 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
9642
9643 @table @code
9644 @kindex show values
9645 @item show values
9646 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
9647 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
9648 values} does not change the history.
9649
9650 @item show values @var{n}
9651 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
9652
9653 @item show values +
9654 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
9655 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
9656 @end table
9657
9658 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
9659 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
9660
9661 @node Convenience Vars
9662 @section Convenience Variables
9663
9664 @cindex convenience variables
9665 @cindex user-defined variables
9666 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
9667 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
9668 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
9669 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
9670 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
9671
9672 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
9673 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
9674 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9675 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
9676 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
9677
9678 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
9679 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
9680 For example:
9681
9682 @smallexample
9683 set $foo = *object_ptr
9684 @end smallexample
9685
9686 @noindent
9687 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
9688 @code{object_ptr}.
9689
9690 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
9691 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
9692 value with another assignment at any time.
9693
9694 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
9695 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
9696 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
9697 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
9698
9699 @table @code
9700 @kindex show convenience
9701 @cindex show all user variables and functions
9702 @item show convenience
9703 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
9704 as well as a list of the convenience functions.
9705 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
9706
9707 @kindex init-if-undefined
9708 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
9709 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
9710 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
9711 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
9712 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
9713 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
9714 override default values used in a command script.
9715
9716 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
9717 any side-effects do not occur.
9718 @end table
9719
9720 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
9721 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
9722 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
9723
9724 @smallexample
9725 set $i = 0
9726 print bar[$i++]->contents
9727 @end smallexample
9728
9729 @noindent
9730 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
9731
9732 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
9733 values likely to be useful.
9734
9735 @table @code
9736 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
9737 @item $_
9738 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
9739 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
9740 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
9741 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
9742 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
9743 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
9744 to the type of @code{$__}.
9745
9746 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
9747 @item $__
9748 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
9749 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
9750 to match the format in which the data was printed.
9751
9752 @item $_exitcode
9753 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
9754 When the program being debugged terminates normally, @value{GDBN}
9755 automatically sets this variable to the exit code of the program, and
9756 resets @code{$_exitsignal} to @code{void}.
9757
9758 @item $_exitsignal
9759 @vindex $_exitsignal@r{, convenience variable}
9760 When the program being debugged dies due to an uncaught signal,
9761 @value{GDBN} automatically sets this variable to that signal's number,
9762 and resets @code{$_exitcode} to @code{void}.
9763
9764 To distinguish between whether the program being debugged has exited
9765 (i.e., @code{$_exitcode} is not @code{void}) or signalled (i.e.,
9766 @code{$_exitsignal} is not @code{void}), the convenience function
9767 @code{$_isvoid} can be used (@pxref{Convenience Funs,, Convenience
9768 Functions}). For example, considering the following source code:
9769
9770 @smallexample
9771 #include <signal.h>
9772
9773 int
9774 main (int argc, char *argv[])
9775 @{
9776 raise (SIGALRM);
9777 return 0;
9778 @}
9779 @end smallexample
9780
9781 A valid way of telling whether the program being debugged has exited
9782 or signalled would be:
9783
9784 @smallexample
9785 (@value{GDBP}) define has_exited_or_signalled
9786 Type commands for definition of ``has_exited_or_signalled''.
9787 End with a line saying just ``end''.
9788 >if $_isvoid ($_exitsignal)
9789 >echo The program has exited\n
9790 >else
9791 >echo The program has signalled\n
9792 >end
9793 >end
9794 (@value{GDBP}) run
9795 Starting program:
9796
9797 Program terminated with signal SIGALRM, Alarm clock.
9798 The program no longer exists.
9799 (@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
9800 The program has signalled
9801 @end smallexample
9802
9803 As can be seen, @value{GDBN} correctly informs that the program being
9804 debugged has signalled, since it calls @code{raise} and raises a
9805 @code{SIGALRM} signal. If the program being debugged had not called
9806 @code{raise}, then @value{GDBN} would report a normal exit:
9807
9808 @smallexample
9809 (@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
9810 The program has exited
9811 @end smallexample
9812
9813 @item $_exception
9814 The variable @code{$_exception} is set to the exception object being
9815 thrown at an exception-related catchpoint. @xref{Set Catchpoints}.
9816
9817 @item $_probe_argc
9818 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
9819 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
9820
9821 @item $_sdata
9822 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
9823 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
9824 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
9825 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
9826 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
9827
9828 @item $_siginfo
9829 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
9830 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
9831 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
9832 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
9833 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
9834
9835 @item $_tlb
9836 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
9837 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
9838 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
9839 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
9840 @xref{General Query Packets}.
9841 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
9842
9843 @end table
9844
9845 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
9846 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
9847 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
9848
9849 @node Convenience Funs
9850 @section Convenience Functions
9851
9852 @cindex convenience functions
9853 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
9854 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
9855 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
9856 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
9857 @value{GDBN}.
9858
9859 These functions do not require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
9860 @code{Python} support, which means that they are always available.
9861
9862 @table @code
9863
9864 @item $_isvoid (@var{expr})
9865 @findex $_isvoid@r{, convenience function}
9866 Return one if the expression @var{expr} is @code{void}. Otherwise it
9867 returns zero.
9868
9869 A @code{void} expression is an expression where the type of the result
9870 is @code{void}. For example, you can examine a convenience variable
9871 (see @ref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}) to check whether
9872 it is @code{void}:
9873
9874 @smallexample
9875 (@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
9876 $1 = void
9877 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
9878 $2 = 1
9879 (@value{GDBP}) run
9880 Starting program: ./a.out
9881 [Inferior 1 (process 29572) exited normally]
9882 (@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
9883 $3 = 0
9884 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
9885 $4 = 0
9886 @end smallexample
9887
9888 In the example above, we used @code{$_isvoid} to check whether
9889 @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void} before and after the execution of the
9890 program being debugged. Before the execution there is no exit code to
9891 be examined, therefore @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void}. After the
9892 execution the program being debugged returned zero, therefore
9893 @code{$_exitcode} is zero, which means that it is not @code{void}
9894 anymore.
9895
9896 The @code{void} expression can also be a call of a function from the
9897 program being debugged. For example, given the following function:
9898
9899 @smallexample
9900 void
9901 foo (void)
9902 @{
9903 @}
9904 @end smallexample
9905
9906 The result of calling it inside @value{GDBN} is @code{void}:
9907
9908 @smallexample
9909 (@value{GDBP}) print foo ()
9910 $1 = void
9911 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid (foo ())
9912 $2 = 1
9913 (@value{GDBP}) set $v = foo ()
9914 (@value{GDBP}) print $v
9915 $3 = void
9916 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($v)
9917 $4 = 1
9918 @end smallexample
9919
9920 @end table
9921
9922 These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
9923 @code{Python} support.
9924
9925 @table @code
9926
9927 @item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
9928 @findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
9929 Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
9930 @var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
9931 Otherwise it returns zero.
9932
9933 @item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
9934 @findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
9935 Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
9936 @var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
9937 The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
9938 regular expression support.
9939
9940 @item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
9941 @findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
9942 Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
9943 Otherwise it returns zero.
9944
9945 @item $_strlen(@var{str})
9946 @findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
9947 Returns the length of string @var{str}.
9948
9949 @end table
9950
9951 @value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
9952 convenience functions.
9953
9954 @table @code
9955 @item help function
9956 @kindex help function
9957 @cindex show all convenience functions
9958 Print a list of all convenience functions.
9959 @end table
9960
9961 @node Registers
9962 @section Registers
9963
9964 @cindex registers
9965 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
9966 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
9967 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
9968 your machine.
9969
9970 @table @code
9971 @kindex info registers
9972 @item info registers
9973 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
9974 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9975
9976 @kindex info all-registers
9977 @cindex floating point registers
9978 @item info all-registers
9979 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
9980 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9981
9982 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
9983 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
9984 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
9985 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
9986 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
9987 @end table
9988
9989 @cindex stack pointer register
9990 @cindex program counter register
9991 @cindex process status register
9992 @cindex frame pointer register
9993 @cindex standard registers
9994 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
9995 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
9996 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
9997 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
9998 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
9999 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
10000 register that contains the processor status. For example,
10001 you could print the program counter in hex with
10002
10003 @smallexample
10004 p/x $pc
10005 @end smallexample
10006
10007 @noindent
10008 or print the instruction to be executed next with
10009
10010 @smallexample
10011 x/i $pc
10012 @end smallexample
10013
10014 @noindent
10015 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
10016 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
10017 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
10018 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
10019 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
10020 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
10021 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
10022
10023 @smallexample
10024 set $sp += 4
10025 @end smallexample
10026
10027 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
10028 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
10029 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
10030 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
10031 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
10032 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
10033 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
10034
10035 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
10036 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
10037 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
10038 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
10039 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
10040 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
10041 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
10042
10043 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
10044 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
10045 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
10046 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
10047 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
10048 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
10049 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
10050 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
10051 prints the data in both formats.
10052
10053 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
10054 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
10055 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
10056 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
10057 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
10058 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
10059 registers in @code{struct} notation:
10060
10061 @smallexample
10062 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
10063 $1 = @{
10064 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
10065 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
10066 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
10067 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
10068 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
10069 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
10070 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
10071 @}
10072 @end smallexample
10073
10074 @noindent
10075 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
10076 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
10077 value to a @code{struct} member:
10078
10079 @smallexample
10080 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
10081 @end smallexample
10082
10083 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
10084 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
10085 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
10086 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
10087 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
10088 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
10089
10090 @cindex caller-saved registers
10091 @cindex call-clobbered registers
10092 @cindex volatile registers
10093 @cindex <not saved> values
10094 Usually ABIs reserve some registers as not needed to be saved by the
10095 callee (a.k.a.: ``caller-saved'', ``call-clobbered'' or ``volatile''
10096 registers). It may therefore not be possible for @value{GDBN} to know
10097 the value a register had before the call (in other words, in the outer
10098 frame), if the register value has since been changed by the callee.
10099 @value{GDBN} tries to deduce where the inner frame saved
10100 (``callee-saved'') registers, from the debug info, unwind info, or the
10101 machine code generated by your compiler. If some register is not
10102 saved, and @value{GDBN} knows the register is ``caller-saved'' (via
10103 its own knowledge of the ABI, or because the debug/unwind info
10104 explicitly says the register's value is undefined), @value{GDBN}
10105 displays @w{@samp{<not saved>}} as the register's value. With targets
10106 that @value{GDBN} has no knowledge of the register saving convention,
10107 if a register was not saved by the callee, then its value and location
10108 in the outer frame are assumed to be the same of the inner frame.
10109 This is usually harmless, because if the register is call-clobbered,
10110 the caller either does not care what is in the register after the
10111 call, or has code to restore the value that it does care about. Note,
10112 however, that if you change such a register in the outer frame, you
10113 may also be affecting the inner frame. Also, the more ``outer'' the
10114 frame is you're looking at, the more likely a call-clobbered
10115 register's value is to be wrong, in the sense that it doesn't actually
10116 represent the value the register had just before the call.
10117
10118 @node Floating Point Hardware
10119 @section Floating Point Hardware
10120 @cindex floating point
10121
10122 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
10123 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
10124
10125 @table @code
10126 @kindex info float
10127 @item info float
10128 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
10129 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
10130 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
10131 the ARM and x86 machines.
10132 @end table
10133
10134 @node Vector Unit
10135 @section Vector Unit
10136 @cindex vector unit
10137
10138 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
10139 more information about the status of the vector unit.
10140
10141 @table @code
10142 @kindex info vector
10143 @item info vector
10144 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
10145 layout vary depending on the hardware.
10146 @end table
10147
10148 @node OS Information
10149 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
10150 @cindex OS information
10151
10152 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
10153 you debug your program.
10154
10155 @cindex auxiliary vector
10156 @cindex vector, auxiliary
10157 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
10158 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
10159 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
10160 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
10161 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
10162 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
10163 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
10164 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
10165 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
10166 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
10167 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
10168
10169 @table @code
10170 @kindex info auxv
10171 @item info auxv
10172 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
10173 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
10174 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
10175 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
10176 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
10177 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
10178 an unrecognized tag.
10179 @end table
10180
10181 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
10182 information and show it to you. The types of information available
10183 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
10184 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
10185 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
10186 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
10187 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
10188
10189 @table @code
10190 @kindex info os
10191 @item info os @var{infotype}
10192
10193 Display OS information of the requested type.
10194
10195 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
10196
10197 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
10198 @table @code
10199 @kindex info os processes
10200 @item processes
10201 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
10202 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
10203 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
10204 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
10205 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
10206 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
10207
10208 @kindex info os procgroups
10209 @item procgroups
10210 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
10211 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
10212 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
10213 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
10214 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
10215 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
10216 and the process group leader is listed first.
10217
10218 @kindex info os threads
10219 @item threads
10220 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
10221 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
10222 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
10223 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
10224 process is not listed.
10225
10226 @kindex info os files
10227 @item files
10228 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
10229 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
10230 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
10231 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
10232
10233 @kindex info os sockets
10234 @item sockets
10235 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
10236 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
10237 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
10238 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
10239 connection.
10240
10241 @kindex info os shm
10242 @item shm
10243 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
10244 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
10245 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
10246 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
10247 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
10248 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
10249 attached to, detach from, and changed.
10250
10251 @kindex info os semaphores
10252 @item semaphores
10253 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
10254 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
10255 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
10256 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
10257 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
10258
10259 @kindex info os msg
10260 @item msg
10261 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
10262 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
10263 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
10264 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
10265 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
10266 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
10267 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
10268 the message queue was last changed.
10269
10270 @kindex info os modules
10271 @item modules
10272 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
10273 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
10274 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
10275 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
10276 in memory.
10277 @end table
10278
10279 @item info os
10280 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
10281 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
10282 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
10283 types, this command will report an error.
10284 @end table
10285
10286 @node Memory Region Attributes
10287 @section Memory Region Attributes
10288 @cindex memory region attributes
10289
10290 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
10291 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
10292 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
10293 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
10294 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
10295 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
10296 user can override the fetched regions.
10297
10298 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
10299 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
10300 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
10301 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
10302 all memory.
10303
10304 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
10305 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
10306
10307 @table @code
10308 @kindex mem
10309 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
10310 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
10311 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
10312 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
10313 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
10314 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
10315
10316 @item mem auto
10317 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
10318 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
10319
10320 @kindex delete mem
10321 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10322 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
10323 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
10324
10325 @kindex disable mem
10326 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10327 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
10328 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
10329 It may be enabled again later.
10330
10331 @kindex enable mem
10332 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10333 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
10334
10335 @kindex info mem
10336 @item info mem
10337 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
10338 for each region:
10339
10340 @table @emph
10341 @item Memory Region Number
10342 @item Enabled or Disabled.
10343 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
10344 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
10345
10346 @item Lo Address
10347 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
10348
10349 @item Hi Address
10350 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
10351
10352 @item Attributes
10353 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
10354 @end table
10355 @end table
10356
10357
10358 @subsection Attributes
10359
10360 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
10361 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
10362 write accesses to a memory region.
10363
10364 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
10365 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
10366 etc.@: from accessing memory.
10367
10368 @table @code
10369 @item ro
10370 Memory is read only.
10371 @item wo
10372 Memory is write only.
10373 @item rw
10374 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
10375 @end table
10376
10377 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
10378 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
10379 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
10380 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
10381 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
10382
10383 @table @code
10384 @item 8
10385 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
10386 @item 16
10387 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
10388 @item 32
10389 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
10390 @item 64
10391 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
10392 @end table
10393
10394 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
10395 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10396 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
10397 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
10398 @c
10399 @c @table @code
10400 @c @item hwbreak
10401 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
10402 @c @item swbreak (default)
10403 @c @end table
10404
10405 @subsubsection Data Cache
10406 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
10407 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
10408 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
10409 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
10410 registers.
10411
10412 @table @code
10413 @item cache
10414 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
10415 @item nocache
10416 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
10417 @end table
10418
10419 @subsection Memory Access Checking
10420 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
10421 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
10422 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
10423 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
10424
10425 @table @code
10426 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
10427 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
10428 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
10429 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
10430 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
10431 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
10432 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
10433 The default value is @code{on}.
10434 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
10435 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
10436 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
10437 @end table
10438
10439
10440 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
10441 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10442 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
10443 @c
10444 @c @table @code
10445 @c @item verify
10446 @c @item noverify (default)
10447 @c @end table
10448
10449 @node Dump/Restore Files
10450 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
10451 @cindex dump/restore files
10452 @cindex append data to a file
10453 @cindex dump data to a file
10454 @cindex restore data from a file
10455
10456 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
10457 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
10458 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
10459 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
10460 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
10461 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
10462 files.
10463
10464 @table @code
10465
10466 @kindex dump
10467 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10468 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10469 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10470 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
10471
10472 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
10473 @table @code
10474 @item binary
10475 Raw binary form.
10476 @item ihex
10477 Intel hex format.
10478 @item srec
10479 Motorola S-record format.
10480 @item tekhex
10481 Tektronix Hex format.
10482 @end table
10483
10484 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
10485 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
10486 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
10487 form.
10488
10489 @kindex append
10490 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10491 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10492 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10493 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
10494 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
10495
10496 @kindex restore
10497 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
10498 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
10499 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
10500 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
10501 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
10502
10503 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
10504 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
10505 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
10506 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
10507 from that location.
10508
10509 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
10510 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
10511 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
10512 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
10513
10514 @end table
10515
10516 @node Core File Generation
10517 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
10518 @cindex dump core from inferior
10519
10520 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
10521 image of a running process and its process status (register values
10522 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
10523 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
10524 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
10525 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
10526 the post-mortem debugging mode.
10527
10528 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
10529 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
10530 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
10531
10532 @table @code
10533 @kindex gcore
10534 @kindex generate-core-file
10535 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
10536 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
10537 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
10538 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
10539 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
10540 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
10541
10542 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
10543 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and S390).
10544 @end table
10545
10546 @node Character Sets
10547 @section Character Sets
10548 @cindex character sets
10549 @cindex charset
10550 @cindex translating between character sets
10551 @cindex host character set
10552 @cindex target character set
10553
10554 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
10555 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
10556 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
10557 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
10558 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
10559 @dfn{target character set}.
10560
10561 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
10562 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
10563 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
10564 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
10565 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
10566 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
10567 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
10568 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
10569 character and string literals in expressions.
10570
10571 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
10572 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
10573 target-charset} command, described below.
10574
10575 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
10576 support:
10577
10578 @table @code
10579 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
10580 @kindex set target-charset
10581 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
10582 list of supported target character sets, type
10583 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10584
10585 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
10586 @kindex set host-charset
10587 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
10588
10589 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
10590 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
10591 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
10592 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
10593 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
10594
10595 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
10596 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10597 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
10598
10599 @item set charset @var{charset}
10600 @kindex set charset
10601 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
10602 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10603 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
10604 for both host and target.
10605
10606 @item show charset
10607 @kindex show charset
10608 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
10609
10610 @item show host-charset
10611 @kindex show host-charset
10612 Show the name of the current host character set.
10613
10614 @item show target-charset
10615 @kindex show target-charset
10616 Show the name of the current target character set.
10617
10618 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
10619 @kindex set target-wide-charset
10620 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
10621 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
10622 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
10623 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10624
10625 @item show target-wide-charset
10626 @kindex show target-wide-charset
10627 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
10628 @end table
10629
10630 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
10631 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
10632 @file{charset-test.c}:
10633
10634 @smallexample
10635 #include <stdio.h>
10636
10637 char ascii_hello[]
10638 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
10639 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
10640 char ibm1047_hello[]
10641 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
10642 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
10643
10644 main ()
10645 @{
10646 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10647 @}
10648 @end smallexample
10649
10650 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
10651 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
10652 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
10653
10654 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
10655
10656 @smallexample
10657 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
10658 $ gdb -nw charset-test
10659 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
10660 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10661 @dots{}
10662 (@value{GDBP})
10663 @end smallexample
10664
10665 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
10666 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
10667 strings:
10668
10669 @smallexample
10670 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10671 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
10672 (@value{GDBP})
10673 @end smallexample
10674
10675 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
10676 initial character set:
10677 @smallexample
10678 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
10679 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10680 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
10681 (@value{GDBP})
10682 @end smallexample
10683
10684 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
10685 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
10686 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
10687 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
10688 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
10689
10690 @smallexample
10691 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10692 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
10693 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10694 $2 = 72 'H'
10695 (@value{GDBP})
10696 @end smallexample
10697
10698 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
10699 literals you use in expressions:
10700
10701 @smallexample
10702 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10703 $3 = 43 '+'
10704 (@value{GDBP})
10705 @end smallexample
10706
10707 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
10708 character.
10709
10710 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
10711 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
10712 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
10713
10714 @smallexample
10715 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10716 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
10717 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10718 $5 = 200 '\310'
10719 (@value{GDBP})
10720 @end smallexample
10721
10722 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
10723 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
10724
10725 @smallexample
10726 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10727 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
10728 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10729 @end smallexample
10730
10731 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
10732 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
10733 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
10734 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
10735 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
10736
10737 @smallexample
10738 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
10739 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10740 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
10741 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
10742 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10743 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
10744 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10745 $7 = 72 '\110'
10746 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10747 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
10748 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10749 $9 = 200 'H'
10750 (@value{GDBP})
10751 @end smallexample
10752
10753 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
10754 string literals you use in expressions:
10755
10756 @smallexample
10757 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10758 $10 = 78 '+'
10759 (@value{GDBP})
10760 @end smallexample
10761
10762 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
10763 character.
10764
10765 @node Caching Remote Data
10766 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
10767 @cindex caching data of remote targets
10768
10769 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
10770 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
10771 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
10772 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
10773 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
10774 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
10775 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
10776 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
10777 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
10778 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
10779 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
10780 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
10781 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
10782 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
10783 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
10784
10785 @table @code
10786 @kindex set remotecache
10787 @item set remotecache on
10788 @itemx set remotecache off
10789 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
10790 with old scripts.
10791
10792 @kindex show remotecache
10793 @item show remotecache
10794 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
10795
10796 @kindex set stack-cache
10797 @item set stack-cache on
10798 @itemx set stack-cache off
10799 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
10800 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
10801
10802 @kindex show stack-cache
10803 @item show stack-cache
10804 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
10805
10806 @kindex info dcache
10807 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
10808 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
10809 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
10810 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
10811 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
10812 operation.
10813
10814 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
10815 printed in hex.
10816
10817 @item set dcache size @var{size}
10818 @cindex dcache size
10819 @kindex set dcache size
10820 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
10821
10822 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
10823 @cindex dcache line-size
10824 @kindex set dcache line-size
10825 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
10826 Must be a power of 2.
10827
10828 @item show dcache size
10829 @kindex show dcache size
10830 Show maximum number of dcache entries. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10831
10832 @item show dcache line-size
10833 @kindex show dcache line-size
10834 Show default size of dcache lines. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10835
10836 @end table
10837
10838 @node Searching Memory
10839 @section Search Memory
10840 @cindex searching memory
10841
10842 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
10843 @code{find} command.
10844
10845 @table @code
10846 @kindex find
10847 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10848 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10849 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
10850 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
10851 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
10852 @end table
10853
10854 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
10855 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
10856
10857 @table @r
10858 @item @var{s}, search query size
10859 The size of each search query value.
10860
10861 @table @code
10862 @item b
10863 bytes
10864 @item h
10865 halfwords (two bytes)
10866 @item w
10867 words (four bytes)
10868 @item g
10869 giant words (eight bytes)
10870 @end table
10871
10872 All values are interpreted in the current language.
10873 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
10874 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
10875
10876 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
10877 value's type in the current language.
10878 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
10879 pattern as a mixture of types.
10880 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
10881 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
10882 which is typically four bytes.
10883
10884 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
10885 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
10886 @end table
10887
10888 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
10889 (@code{"}).
10890 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
10891 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
10892
10893 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
10894 number of matches found.
10895
10896 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
10897 @samp{$_}.
10898 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
10899
10900 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
10901
10902 @smallexample
10903 void
10904 hello ()
10905 @{
10906 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
10907 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
10908 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
10909 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
10910 printf ("%s\n", hello);
10911 @}
10912 @end smallexample
10913
10914 @noindent
10915 you get during debugging:
10916
10917 @smallexample
10918 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
10919 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10920 1 pattern found
10921 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
10922 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10923 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10924 2 patterns found
10925 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
10926 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10927 1 pattern found
10928 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
10929 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
10930 1 pattern found
10931 (gdb) print $numfound
10932 $1 = 1
10933 (gdb) print $_
10934 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
10935 @end smallexample
10936
10937 @node Optimized Code
10938 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
10939 @cindex optimized code, debugging
10940 @cindex debugging optimized code
10941
10942 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
10943 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
10944 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
10945 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
10946 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
10947 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
10948 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
10949
10950 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
10951 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
10952 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
10953 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
10954
10955 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
10956 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
10957 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
10958 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
10959 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
10960 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
10961
10962 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
10963 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
10964 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
10965 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
10966 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
10967
10968 @menu
10969 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
10970 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
10971 @end menu
10972
10973 @node Inline Functions
10974 @section Inline Functions
10975 @cindex inline functions, debugging
10976
10977 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
10978 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
10979 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
10980 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
10981 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
10982 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
10983 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
10984 @code{info frame} command.
10985
10986 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
10987 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
10988 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
10989 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
10990 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
10991 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
10992 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
10993 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
10994 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
10995 local variables in the caller.
10996
10997 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
10998 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
10999 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
11000 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
11001 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
11002 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
11003 instructions are executed.
11004
11005 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
11006 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
11007 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
11008 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
11009
11010 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
11011 function calls are the same as normal calls:
11012
11013 @itemize @bullet
11014 @item
11015 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
11016 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
11017 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
11018 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
11019 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
11020 or inside the inlined function instead.
11021
11022 @item
11023 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
11024 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
11025 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
11026 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
11027
11028 @end itemize
11029
11030 @node Tail Call Frames
11031 @section Tail Call Frames
11032 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
11033
11034 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
11035 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
11036 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
11037 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
11038 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
11039
11040 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
11041 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
11042 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
11043 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
11044 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
11045 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
11046 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
11047
11048 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
11049 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
11050 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
11051 this information.
11052
11053 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
11054 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
11055
11056 @smallexample
11057 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
11058 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
11059 (gdb) info frame
11060 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
11061 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
11062 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
11063 source language c++.
11064 Arglist at unknown address.
11065 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
11066 @end smallexample
11067
11068 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
11069 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
11070 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
11071 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
11072 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
11073 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
11074
11075 @table @code
11076 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
11077 @item set debug entry-values
11078 @kindex set debug entry-values
11079 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
11080 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
11081 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
11082 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
11083 result.
11084
11085 @item show debug entry-values
11086 @kindex show debug entry-values
11087 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
11088 values at function entry and tail calls.
11089 @end table
11090
11091 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
11092 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
11093 reference by variable @code{x}):
11094
11095 @smallexample
11096 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
11097 void (*x) (void) = c;
11098 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
11099 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
11100 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
11101
11102 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
11103 DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
11104 a () at t.c:3
11105 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
11106 (gdb) bt
11107 #0 a () at t.c:3
11108 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
11109 @end smallexample
11110
11111 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
11112
11113 @smallexample
11114 int i;
11115 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
11116 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
11117 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
11118 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
11119 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
11120 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
11121 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
11122 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
11123
11124 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
11125 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
11126 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
11127 (gdb) bt
11128 #0 f () at t.c:2
11129 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
11130 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
11131 @end smallexample
11132
11133 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
11134 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
11135
11136 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
11137 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
11138 @set ARROW @click{}
11139 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
11140 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
11141 @end ifset
11142 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
11143 @set ARROW ->
11144 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
11145 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
11146 @end ifclear
11147
11148 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
11149 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
11150 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
11151
11152 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
11153 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
11154 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
11155 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
11156 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
11157 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
11158
11159 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
11160 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
11161 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
11162 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
11163 omitted.
11164
11165 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
11166 entry may fail:
11167
11168 @smallexample
11169 int v;
11170 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
11171 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
11172 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
11173 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
11174 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
11175 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
11176
11177 (gdb) bt
11178 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
11179 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
11180 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
11181 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
11182 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
11183 @end smallexample
11184
11185 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
11186 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
11187 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
11188 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
11189 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
11190
11191 @node Macros
11192 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
11193
11194 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
11195 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
11196 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
11197 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
11198 where it was defined.
11199
11200 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
11201 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
11202 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
11203 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
11204
11205 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
11206 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
11207 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
11208 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
11209 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
11210 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
11211 see @ref{List}.
11212
11213 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
11214 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
11215 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
11216
11217 @table @code
11218
11219 @kindex macro expand
11220 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
11221 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
11222 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
11223 @item macro expand @var{expression}
11224 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
11225 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
11226 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
11227 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
11228 it can be any string of tokens.
11229
11230 @kindex macro exp1
11231 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
11232 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
11233 @cindex expand macro once
11234 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
11235 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
11236 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
11237 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
11238 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
11239 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
11240 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
11241 can be any string of tokens.
11242
11243 @kindex info macro
11244 @cindex macro definition, showing
11245 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
11246 @cindex macros, from debug info
11247 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
11248 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
11249 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
11250 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
11251 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
11252 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
11253
11254 @kindex info macros
11255 @item info macros @var{linespec}
11256 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
11257 by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
11258 command-line where those definitions were established.
11259
11260 @kindex macro define
11261 @cindex user-defined macros
11262 @cindex defining macros interactively
11263 @cindex macros, user-defined
11264 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
11265 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
11266 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
11267 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
11268 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
11269 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
11270 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
11271 @var{arglist}.
11272
11273 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
11274 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
11275 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
11276 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
11277 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
11278
11279 @kindex macro undef
11280 @item macro undef @var{macro}
11281 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
11282 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
11283 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
11284 in the program being debugged.
11285
11286 @kindex macro list
11287 @item macro list
11288 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
11289 @end table
11290
11291 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
11292 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
11293 show our source files:
11294
11295 @smallexample
11296 $ cat sample.c
11297 #include <stdio.h>
11298 #include "sample.h"
11299
11300 #define M 42
11301 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11302
11303 main ()
11304 @{
11305 #define N 28
11306 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11307 #undef N
11308 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11309 #define N 1729
11310 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11311 @}
11312 $ cat sample.h
11313 #define Q <
11314 $
11315 @end smallexample
11316
11317 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
11318 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
11319 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
11320 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
11321 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
11322 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
11323 information.
11324
11325 @smallexample
11326 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
11327 $
11328 @end smallexample
11329
11330 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
11331
11332 @smallexample
11333 $ gdb -nw sample
11334 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
11335 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
11336 GDB is free software, @dots{}
11337 (@value{GDBP})
11338 @end smallexample
11339
11340 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
11341 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
11342 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
11343
11344 @smallexample
11345 (@value{GDBP}) list main
11346 3
11347 4 #define M 42
11348 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11349 6
11350 7 main ()
11351 8 @{
11352 9 #define N 28
11353 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11354 11 #undef N
11355 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11356 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
11357 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
11358 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11359 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
11360 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
11361 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
11362 #define Q <
11363 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
11364 expands to: (42 + 1)
11365 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
11366 expands to: once (M + 1)
11367 (@value{GDBP})
11368 @end smallexample
11369
11370 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
11371 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
11372 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
11373 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
11374
11375 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
11376 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
11377
11378 @smallexample
11379 (@value{GDBP}) break main
11380 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
11381 (@value{GDBP}) run
11382 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
11383
11384 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
11385 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11386 (@value{GDBP})
11387 @end smallexample
11388
11389 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
11390
11391 @smallexample
11392 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11393 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
11394 #define N 28
11395 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11396 expands to: 28 < 42
11397 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11398 $1 = 1
11399 (@value{GDBP})
11400 @end smallexample
11401
11402 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
11403 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
11404 thereof) in force at each point:
11405
11406 @smallexample
11407 (@value{GDBP}) next
11408 Hello, world!
11409 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11410 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11411 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
11412 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
11413 (@value{GDBP}) next
11414 We're so creative.
11415 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11416 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11417 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
11418 #define N 1729
11419 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11420 expands to: 1729 < 42
11421 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11422 $2 = 0
11423 (@value{GDBP})
11424 @end smallexample
11425
11426 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
11427 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
11428 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
11429 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
11430
11431 @smallexample
11432 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
11433 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
11434 -D__STDC__=1
11435 (@value{GDBP})
11436 @end smallexample
11437
11438
11439 @node Tracepoints
11440 @chapter Tracepoints
11441 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
11442 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
11443
11444 @cindex tracepoints
11445 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
11446 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
11447 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
11448 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
11449 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
11450 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
11451 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
11452
11453 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
11454 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
11455 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
11456 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
11457 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
11458 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
11459 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
11460 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
11461 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
11462 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
11463 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
11464
11465 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
11466 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
11467 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
11468 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
11469 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
11470 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
11471 Packets}.
11472
11473 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
11474 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
11475 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
11476
11477 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
11478
11479 @menu
11480 * Set Tracepoints::
11481 * Analyze Collected Data::
11482 * Tracepoint Variables::
11483 * Trace Files::
11484 @end menu
11485
11486 @node Set Tracepoints
11487 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
11488
11489 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
11490 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
11491 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
11492 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
11493 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
11494 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
11495 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
11496
11497 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
11498 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
11499 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
11500 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
11501 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
11502 tracepoint was hit.
11503
11504 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
11505 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
11506 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
11507 either.
11508
11509 @cindex fast tracepoints
11510 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
11511 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
11512 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
11513
11514 @cindex static tracepoints
11515 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
11516 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
11517 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
11518 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
11519 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
11520 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
11521 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
11522 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
11523 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
11524 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
11525 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
11526 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
11527 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
11528 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
11529 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
11530 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
11531 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
11532 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
11533 static tracepoint marker.
11534
11535 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
11536 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
11537
11538 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
11539 conditions and actions.
11540
11541 @menu
11542 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
11543 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
11544 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
11545 * Tracepoint Conditions::
11546 * Trace State Variables::
11547 * Tracepoint Actions::
11548 * Listing Tracepoints::
11549 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
11550 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
11551 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
11552 @end menu
11553
11554 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
11555 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
11556
11557 @table @code
11558 @cindex set tracepoint
11559 @kindex trace
11560 @item trace @var{location}
11561 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
11562 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
11563 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
11564 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
11565 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
11566 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
11567 changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
11568 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
11569 in tracing}).
11570 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
11571 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
11572 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
11573 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
11574 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
11575 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
11576 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
11577 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
11578 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
11579 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
11580 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
11581 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
11582
11583 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
11584
11585 @smallexample
11586 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
11587
11588 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
11589
11590 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
11591
11592 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
11593
11594 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
11595 @end smallexample
11596
11597 @noindent
11598 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
11599
11600 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
11601 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
11602 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
11603 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
11604 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
11605 information on tracepoint conditions.
11606
11607 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11608 @cindex set fast tracepoint
11609 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
11610 @kindex ftrace
11611 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
11612 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
11613 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
11614 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
11615 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
11616 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
11617 message.
11618
11619 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
11620 @code{trace}.
11621
11622 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
11623 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
11624 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
11625 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
11626 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
11627 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
11628 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
11629 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
11630
11631 @example
11632 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
11633 @end example
11634
11635 @noindent
11636 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
11637 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
11638
11639 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11640 @cindex set static tracepoint
11641 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
11642 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
11643 @kindex strace
11644 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
11645 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
11646 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
11647 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
11648 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
11649
11650 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
11651 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
11652 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
11653 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
11654 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
11655 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
11656 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
11657 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
11658 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
11659 tracing engine:
11660
11661 @smallexample
11662 main ()
11663 @{
11664 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
11665 @}
11666 @end smallexample
11667
11668 @noindent
11669 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
11670 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
11671
11672 @smallexample
11673 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11674 Cnt Enb ID Address What
11675 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
11676 Data: "str %s"
11677 [etc...]
11678 @end smallexample
11679
11680 @noindent
11681 so you may probe the marker above with:
11682
11683 @smallexample
11684 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
11685 @end smallexample
11686
11687 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
11688 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
11689 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
11690 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
11691 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
11692 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
11693 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
11694 the @samp{Data:} field.
11695
11696 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
11697 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
11698 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
11699
11700 @vindex $tpnum
11701 @cindex last tracepoint number
11702 @cindex recent tracepoint number
11703 @cindex tracepoint number
11704 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
11705 of the most recently set tracepoint.
11706
11707 @kindex delete tracepoint
11708 @cindex tracepoint deletion
11709 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11710 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
11711 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
11712 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
11713
11714 Examples:
11715
11716 @smallexample
11717 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
11718
11719 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
11720 @end smallexample
11721
11722 @noindent
11723 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
11724 @end table
11725
11726 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11727 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11728
11729 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
11730
11731 @table @code
11732 @kindex disable tracepoint
11733 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11734 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
11735 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
11736 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
11737 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
11738 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
11739 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
11740 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
11741 next trace experiment.
11742
11743 @kindex enable tracepoint
11744 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11745 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
11746 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
11747 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
11748 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
11749 next time a trace experiment is run.
11750 @end table
11751
11752 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
11753 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
11754
11755 @table @code
11756 @kindex passcount
11757 @cindex tracepoint pass count
11758 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
11759 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
11760 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
11761 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
11762 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
11763 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
11764 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
11765 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
11766 user.
11767
11768 Examples:
11769
11770 @smallexample
11771 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
11772 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
11773
11774 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
11775 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
11776 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11777 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
11778 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
11779 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
11780 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
11781 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
11782 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
11783 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
11784 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
11785 @end smallexample
11786 @end table
11787
11788 @node Tracepoint Conditions
11789 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
11790 @cindex conditional tracepoints
11791 @cindex tracepoint conditions
11792
11793 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
11794 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
11795 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
11796 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
11797 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
11798 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
11799 is true.
11800
11801 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
11802 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
11803 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
11804 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
11805 just as with breakpoints.
11806
11807 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
11808 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
11809 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
11810 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
11811 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
11812 accesses, and so forth.
11813
11814 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
11815 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
11816 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
11817 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
11818 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
11819 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
11820 search through.
11821
11822 @smallexample
11823 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
11824 @end smallexample
11825
11826 @node Trace State Variables
11827 @subsection Trace State Variables
11828 @cindex trace state variables
11829
11830 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
11831 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
11832 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
11833 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
11834 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
11835 integers.
11836
11837 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
11838 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
11839 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
11840 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
11841
11842 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
11843 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
11844 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
11845 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
11846 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
11847 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
11848 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
11849 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
11850 variable with the same name.
11851
11852 @table @code
11853
11854 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
11855 @kindex tvariable
11856 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
11857 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
11858 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
11859 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
11860 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
11861 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
11862 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
11863 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
11864 value. The default initial value is 0.
11865
11866 @item info tvariables
11867 @kindex info tvariables
11868 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
11869 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
11870 currently running.
11871
11872 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
11873 @kindex delete tvariable
11874 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
11875 are specified.
11876
11877 @end table
11878
11879 @node Tracepoint Actions
11880 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
11881
11882 @table @code
11883 @kindex actions
11884 @cindex tracepoint actions
11885 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11886 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
11887 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
11888 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
11889 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
11890 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
11891 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
11892 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
11893 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
11894 @code{while-stepping}.
11895
11896 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
11897 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
11898 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
11899
11900 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
11901 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
11902 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
11903
11904 @smallexample
11905 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
11906
11907 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
11908
11909 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
11910 @end smallexample
11911
11912 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
11913 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
11914 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
11915 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
11916 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
11917 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
11918 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
11919 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
11920
11921 @smallexample
11922 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11923 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11924 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
11925 > collect bar,baz
11926 > collect $regs
11927 > while-stepping 12
11928 > collect $pc, arr[i]
11929 > end
11930 end
11931 @end smallexample
11932
11933 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
11934 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11935 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
11936 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
11937 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
11938 special arguments are supported:
11939
11940 @table @code
11941 @item $regs
11942 Collect all registers.
11943
11944 @item $args
11945 Collect all function arguments.
11946
11947 @item $locals
11948 Collect all local variables.
11949
11950 @item $_ret
11951 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
11952 of a backtrace.
11953
11954 @item $_probe_argc
11955 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
11956 tracepoint is located.
11957 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11958
11959 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
11960 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
11961 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
11962 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11963
11964 @item $_sdata
11965 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
11966 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
11967 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
11968 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
11969 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
11970 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
11971 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
11972 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
11973 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
11974
11975 @smallexample
11976 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
11977 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
11978 @end smallexample
11979
11980 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
11981 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
11982 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
11983 @value{GDBN}.
11984 @end table
11985
11986 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
11987 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
11988 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
11989
11990 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
11991 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
11992 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
11993 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
11994 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
11995 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
11996 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
11997 @samp{mystr}.
11998
11999 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
12000 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
12001
12002 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
12003 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
12004 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
12005 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
12006 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
12007 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
12008 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
12009 action were used.
12010
12011 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
12012 @item while-stepping @var{n}
12013 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
12014 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
12015 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
12016 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
12017
12018 @smallexample
12019 > while-stepping 12
12020 > collect $regs, myglobal
12021 > end
12022 >
12023 @end smallexample
12024
12025 @noindent
12026 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
12027 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
12028 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
12029 @code{stepping}.
12030
12031 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
12032 @kindex set default-collect
12033 @cindex default collection action
12034 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
12035 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
12036 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
12037 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
12038 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
12039 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
12040
12041 @item show default-collect
12042 @kindex show default-collect
12043 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
12044 tracepoint hit.
12045
12046 @end table
12047
12048 @node Listing Tracepoints
12049 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
12050
12051 @table @code
12052 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
12053 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
12054 @cindex information about tracepoints
12055 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
12056 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
12057 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
12058 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
12059 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
12060 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
12061
12062 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
12063 tracing:
12064
12065 @itemize @bullet
12066 @item
12067 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
12068
12069 @item
12070 the state about installed on target of each location
12071 @end itemize
12072
12073 @smallexample
12074 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
12075 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
12076 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
12077 while-stepping 20
12078 collect globfoo, $regs
12079 end
12080 collect globfoo2
12081 end
12082 pass count 1200
12083 2 tracepoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
12084 collect $eip
12085 2.1 y 0x0804859c in func4 at change-loc.h:35
12086 installed on target
12087 2.2 y 0xb7ffc480 in func4 at change-loc.h:35
12088 installed on target
12089 2.3 y <PENDING> set_tracepoint
12090 3 tracepoint keep y 0x080485b1 in foo at change-loc.c:29
12091 not installed on target
12092 (@value{GDBP})
12093 @end smallexample
12094
12095 @noindent
12096 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
12097 @end table
12098
12099 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
12100 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
12101
12102 @table @code
12103 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
12104 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
12105 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
12106 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
12107 program.
12108
12109 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
12110
12111 @table @emph
12112 @item Count
12113 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
12114 stable identifier.
12115 @item ID
12116 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
12117 @item Enabled or Disabled
12118 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
12119 that are not enabled.
12120 @item Address
12121 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
12122 @item What
12123 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
12124 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
12125 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
12126 will be left blank.
12127 @end table
12128
12129 @noindent
12130 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
12131
12132 @table @emph
12133 @item Data
12134 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
12135 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
12136 marker call.
12137 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
12138 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
12139 @end table
12140
12141 @smallexample
12142 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
12143 Cnt ID Enb Address What
12144 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
12145 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
12146 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
12147 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
12148 Data: str %s
12149 (@value{GDBP})
12150 @end smallexample
12151 @end table
12152
12153 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
12154 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
12155
12156 @table @code
12157 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
12158 @cindex start a new trace experiment
12159 @cindex collected data discarded
12160 @item tstart
12161 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
12162 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
12163 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
12164 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
12165 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
12166 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
12167 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
12168 information, and so forth.
12169
12170 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
12171 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
12172 @item tstop
12173 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
12174 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
12175 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
12176 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
12177 needs to be stopped quickly.
12178
12179 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
12180 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
12181 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
12182
12183 @kindex tstatus
12184 @cindex status of trace data collection
12185 @cindex trace experiment, status of
12186 @item tstatus
12187 This command displays the status of the current trace data
12188 collection.
12189 @end table
12190
12191 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
12192
12193 @smallexample
12194 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
12195 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12196 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
12197 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
12198 > while-stepping 11
12199 > collect $regs
12200 > end
12201 > end
12202 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
12203 [time passes @dots{}]
12204 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
12205 @end smallexample
12206
12207 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
12208 @cindex disconnected tracing
12209 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
12210 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
12211 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
12212 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
12213 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
12214 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
12215 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
12216 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
12217
12218 @table @code
12219 @item set disconnected-tracing on
12220 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
12221 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
12222 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
12223 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
12224 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
12225 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
12226 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
12227
12228 @item show disconnected-tracing
12229 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
12230 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
12231
12232 @end table
12233
12234 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
12235 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
12236 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
12237 it will continue after reconnection.
12238
12239 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
12240 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
12241 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
12242 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
12243 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
12244 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
12245 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
12246 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
12247 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
12248 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
12249
12250 @cindex circular trace buffer
12251 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
12252 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
12253 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
12254 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
12255 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
12256 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
12257 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
12258 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
12259 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
12260 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
12261 the next run.
12262
12263 @table @code
12264 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
12265 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
12266 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
12267 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
12268 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
12269 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
12270 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
12271
12272 @item show circular-trace-buffer
12273 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
12274 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
12275 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
12276 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
12277 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
12278
12279 @end table
12280
12281 @table @code
12282 @item set trace-buffer-size @var{n}
12283 @itemx set trace-buffer-size unlimited
12284 @kindex set trace-buffer-size
12285 Request that the target use a trace buffer of @var{n} bytes. Not all
12286 targets will honor the request; they may have a compiled-in size for
12287 the trace buffer, or some other limitation. Set to a value of
12288 @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} to let the target use whatever size it
12289 likes. This is also the default.
12290
12291 @item show trace-buffer-size
12292 @kindex show trace-buffer-size
12293 Show the current requested size for the trace buffer. Note that this
12294 will only match the actual size if the target supports size-setting,
12295 and was able to handle the requested size. For instance, if the
12296 target can only change buffer size between runs, this variable will
12297 not reflect the change until the next run starts. Use @code{tstatus}
12298 to get a report of the actual buffer size.
12299 @end table
12300
12301 @table @code
12302 @item set trace-user @var{text}
12303 @kindex set trace-user
12304
12305 @item show trace-user
12306 @kindex show trace-user
12307
12308 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
12309 @kindex set trace-notes
12310 Set the trace run's notes.
12311
12312 @item show trace-notes
12313 @kindex show trace-notes
12314 Show the trace run's notes.
12315
12316 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
12317 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
12318 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
12319 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
12320 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
12321
12322 @item show trace-stop-notes
12323 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
12324 Show the trace run's stop notes.
12325
12326 @end table
12327
12328 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
12329 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
12330
12331 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
12332 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
12333 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
12334 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
12335 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
12336 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
12337 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
12338 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
12339 mentioned here.
12340
12341 @itemize @bullet
12342
12343 @item
12344 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
12345 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
12346 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
12347 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
12348 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
12349 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
12350 cannot be collected either.
12351
12352 @item
12353 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
12354 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
12355 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
12356 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
12357 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
12358 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
12359 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
12360 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
12361 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
12362 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
12363
12364 @item
12365 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
12366 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
12367 in a misleading way.
12368
12369 @item
12370 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
12371 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
12372 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
12373 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
12374 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
12375 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
12376 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
12377 by @code{ptr}.
12378
12379 @item
12380 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
12381 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
12382 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
12383 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
12384 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
12385 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
12386 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
12387 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
12388 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
12389 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
12390 invalid address.
12391
12392 @item
12393 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
12394 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
12395 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
12396 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
12397 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
12398 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
12399 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
12400 it to zero.
12401
12402 @end itemize
12403
12404 @node Analyze Collected Data
12405 @section Using the Collected Data
12406
12407 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
12408 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
12409 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
12410 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
12411 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
12412 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
12413 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
12414 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
12415 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
12416 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
12417 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
12418 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
12419 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
12420 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
12421 the buffer will fail.
12422
12423 @menu
12424 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
12425 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
12426 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
12427 @end menu
12428
12429 @node tfind
12430 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
12431
12432 @kindex tfind
12433 @cindex select trace snapshot
12434 @cindex find trace snapshot
12435 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
12436 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
12437 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
12438 snapshot is selected.
12439
12440 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
12441
12442 @table @code
12443 @item tfind start
12444 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
12445 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
12446
12447 @item tfind none
12448 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
12449
12450 @item tfind end
12451 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
12452
12453 @item tfind
12454 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
12455
12456 @item tfind -
12457 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
12458 retracing earlier steps.
12459
12460 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
12461 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
12462 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
12463 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
12464 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
12465
12466 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
12467 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
12468 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
12469 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
12470 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
12471
12472 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12473 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
12474 addresses (exclusive).
12475
12476 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12477 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
12478 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
12479
12480 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
12481 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
12482 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
12483 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
12484 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
12485 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
12486 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
12487 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
12488 @end table
12489
12490 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
12491 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
12492 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
12493 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
12494 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
12495 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
12496 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
12497 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
12498 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
12499 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
12500 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
12501 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
12502 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
12503 tracepoint as the current one.
12504
12505 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
12506 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
12507 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
12508 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
12509 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
12510
12511 @smallexample
12512 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12513 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12514 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
12515 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
12516 > tfind
12517 > end
12518
12519 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
12520 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
12521 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
12522 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
12523 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
12524 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
12525 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
12526 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
12527 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
12528 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
12529 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
12530 @end smallexample
12531
12532 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
12533 the buffer:
12534
12535 @smallexample
12536 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12537 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12538 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
12539 > tfind line
12540 > end
12541
12542 Frame 0, X = 1
12543 Frame 7, X = 2
12544 Frame 13, X = 255
12545 @end smallexample
12546
12547 @node tdump
12548 @subsection @code{tdump}
12549 @kindex tdump
12550 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
12551 @cindex tracepoint data, display
12552
12553 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
12554 the current trace snapshot.
12555
12556 @smallexample
12557 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
12558 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12559 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
12560 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
12561 > end
12562
12563 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
12564
12565 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
12566 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
12567 at gdb_test.c:444
12568 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
12569
12570 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
12571 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
12572 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
12573 d1 0x18 24
12574 d2 0x80 128
12575 d3 0x33 51
12576 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
12577 d5 0x22 34
12578 d6 0xe0 224
12579 d7 0x380035 3670069
12580 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
12581 a1 0x3000668 50333288
12582 a2 0x100 256
12583 a3 0x322000 3284992
12584 a4 0x3000698 50333336
12585 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
12586 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
12587 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
12588 ps 0x0 0
12589 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
12590 fpcontrol 0x0 0
12591 fpstatus 0x0 0
12592 fpiaddr 0x0 0
12593 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
12594 p1 = (void *) 0x11
12595 p2 = (void *) 0x22
12596 p3 = (void *) 0x33
12597 p4 = (void *) 0x44
12598 p5 = (void *) 0x55
12599 p6 = (void *) 0x66
12600 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
12601
12602 (@value{GDBP})
12603 @end smallexample
12604
12605 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
12606 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
12607 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
12608 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
12609
12610 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
12611 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
12612 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
12613 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
12614 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
12615 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
12616 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
12617 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
12618 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
12619 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
12620
12621 @node save tracepoints
12622 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
12623 @kindex save tracepoints
12624 @kindex save-tracepoints
12625 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
12626
12627 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
12628 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
12629 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
12630 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
12631 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
12632 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
12633
12634 @node Tracepoint Variables
12635 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
12636 @cindex tracepoint variables
12637 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
12638
12639 @table @code
12640 @vindex $trace_frame
12641 @item (int) $trace_frame
12642 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
12643 snapshot is selected.
12644
12645 @vindex $tracepoint
12646 @item (int) $tracepoint
12647 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
12648
12649 @vindex $trace_line
12650 @item (int) $trace_line
12651 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
12652
12653 @vindex $trace_file
12654 @item (char []) $trace_file
12655 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
12656
12657 @vindex $trace_func
12658 @item (char []) $trace_func
12659 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
12660 @end table
12661
12662 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
12663 use @code{output} instead.
12664
12665 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
12666 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
12667 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
12668 which are managed by the target.
12669
12670 @smallexample
12671 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12672
12673 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
12674 > output $trace_file
12675 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
12676 > tfind
12677 > end
12678 @end smallexample
12679
12680 @node Trace Files
12681 @section Using Trace Files
12682 @cindex trace files
12683
12684 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
12685 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
12686 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
12687 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
12688 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
12689
12690 @table @code
12691
12692 @kindex tsave
12693 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
12694 @itemx tsave [-ctf] @var{dirname}
12695 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
12696 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
12697 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
12698 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
12699 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
12700 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
12701 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
12702 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
12703 By default, this command will save trace frame in tfile format.
12704 You can supply the optional argument @code{-ctf} to save date in CTF
12705 format. The @dfn{Common Trace Format} (CTF) is proposed as a trace format
12706 that can be shared by multiple debugging and tracing tools. Please go to
12707 @indicateurl{http://www.efficios.com/ctf} to get more information.
12708
12709 @kindex target tfile
12710 @kindex tfile
12711 @kindex target ctf
12712 @kindex ctf
12713 @item target tfile @var{filename}
12714 @itemx target ctf @var{dirname}
12715 Use the file named @var{filename} or directory named @var{dirname} as
12716 a source of trace data. Commands that examine data work as they do with
12717 a live target, but it is not possible to run any new trace experiments.
12718 @code{tstatus} will report the state of the trace run at the moment
12719 the data was saved, as well as the current trace frame you are examining.
12720 @var{filename} or @var{dirname} must be on a filesystem accessible to
12721 the host.
12722
12723 @smallexample
12724 (@value{GDBP}) target ctf ctf.ctf
12725 (@value{GDBP}) tfind
12726 Found trace frame 0, tracepoint 2
12727 39 ++a; /* set tracepoint 1 here */
12728 (@value{GDBP}) tdump
12729 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 0:
12730 i = 0
12731 a = 0
12732 b = 1 '\001'
12733 c = @{"123", "456", "789", "123", "456", "789"@}
12734 d = @{@{@{a = 1, b = 2@}, @{a = 3, b = 4@}@}, @{@{a = 5, b = 6@}, @{a = 7, b = 8@}@}@}
12735 (@value{GDBP}) p b
12736 $1 = 1
12737 @end smallexample
12738
12739 @end table
12740
12741 @node Overlays
12742 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
12743 @cindex overlays
12744
12745 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
12746 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
12747 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
12748 use overlays.
12749
12750 @menu
12751 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
12752 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
12753 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
12754 mapped by asking the inferior.
12755 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
12756 @end menu
12757
12758 @node How Overlays Work
12759 @section How Overlays Work
12760 @cindex mapped overlays
12761 @cindex unmapped overlays
12762 @cindex load address, overlay's
12763 @cindex mapped address
12764 @cindex overlay area
12765
12766 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
12767 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
12768 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
12769 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
12770 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
12771
12772 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
12773 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
12774 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
12775 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
12776 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
12777 largest overlay as well.
12778
12779 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
12780 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
12781 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
12782 there.
12783
12784 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
12785 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
12786 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
12787
12788 @smallexample
12789 @group
12790 Data Instruction Larger
12791 Address Space Address Space Address Space
12792 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
12793 | | | | | |
12794 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
12795 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
12796 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
12797 | and heap | | | | | |
12798 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
12799 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
12800 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
12801 | | | | | |
12802 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
12803 address | | | | | |
12804 | overlay | <-' | | |
12805 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
12806 | | <---. | | load address
12807 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
12808 | | | |
12809 +-----------+ | |
12810 +-----------+
12811 | |
12812 +-----------+
12813
12814 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
12815 @end group
12816 @end smallexample
12817
12818 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
12819 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
12820 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
12821 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
12822 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
12823 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
12824 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
12825 program and the overlay area.
12826
12827 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
12828 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
12829 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
12830 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
12831 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
12832 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
12833 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
12834
12835 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
12836 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
12837 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
12838
12839 @itemize @bullet
12840
12841 @item
12842 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
12843 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
12844 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
12845 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
12846
12847 @item
12848 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
12849 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
12850 your program's performance.
12851
12852 @item
12853 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
12854 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
12855 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
12856 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
12857 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
12858 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
12859 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
12860
12861 @item
12862 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
12863 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
12864 instruction and data spaces.
12865
12866 @end itemize
12867
12868 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
12869 improved in many ways:
12870
12871 @itemize @bullet
12872
12873 @item
12874 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
12875 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
12876 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
12877 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
12878 area in the usual way.
12879
12880 @item
12881 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
12882 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
12883
12884 @item
12885 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
12886 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
12887 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
12888 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
12889 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
12890 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
12891 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
12892
12893 @end itemize
12894
12895
12896 @node Overlay Commands
12897 @section Overlay Commands
12898
12899 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
12900 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
12901 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
12902 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
12903 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
12904 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
12905
12906 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
12907 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
12908
12909 @table @code
12910 @item overlay off
12911 @kindex overlay
12912 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
12913 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
12914 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
12915 overlay support is disabled.
12916
12917 @item overlay manual
12918 @cindex manual overlay debugging
12919 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12920 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
12921 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
12922 commands described below.
12923
12924 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
12925 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
12926 @cindex map an overlay
12927 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
12928 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
12929 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
12930 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
12931 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
12932 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
12933
12934 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
12935 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
12936 @cindex unmap an overlay
12937 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
12938 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
12939 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
12940 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
12941
12942 @item overlay auto
12943 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12944 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
12945 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
12946 Overlay Debugging}.
12947
12948 @item overlay load-target
12949 @itemx overlay load
12950 @cindex reloading the overlay table
12951 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
12952 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
12953 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
12954 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
12955 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
12956
12957 @item overlay list-overlays
12958 @itemx overlay list
12959 @cindex listing mapped overlays
12960 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
12961 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
12962
12963 @end table
12964
12965 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
12966 of the function the address falls in:
12967
12968 @smallexample
12969 (@value{GDBP}) print main
12970 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
12971 @end smallexample
12972 @noindent
12973 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
12974 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
12975 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
12976 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
12977
12978 @smallexample
12979 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12980 No sections are mapped.
12981 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12982 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
12983 @end smallexample
12984 @noindent
12985 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
12986 name normally:
12987
12988 @smallexample
12989 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12990 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
12991 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
12992 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12993 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
12994 @end smallexample
12995
12996 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
12997 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
12998 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
12999 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
13000 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
13001
13002 @itemize @bullet
13003 @item
13004 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
13005 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
13006 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
13007 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
13008 @item
13009 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
13010 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
13011 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
13012 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
13013 breakpoints properly.
13014 @end itemize
13015
13016
13017 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
13018 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
13019 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
13020
13021 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
13022 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
13023 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
13024 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
13025 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
13026 current state of the overlays.
13027
13028 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
13029 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
13030
13031 @table @asis
13032
13033 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
13034 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
13035
13036 @smallexample
13037 struct
13038 @{
13039 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
13040 unsigned long vma;
13041
13042 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
13043 unsigned long size;
13044
13045 /* The overlay's load address. */
13046 unsigned long lma;
13047
13048 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
13049 zero otherwise. */
13050 unsigned long mapped;
13051 @}
13052 @end smallexample
13053
13054 @item @code{_novlys}:
13055 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
13056 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
13057
13058 @end table
13059
13060 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
13061 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
13062 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
13063 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
13064 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
13065 currently mapped.
13066
13067 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
13068 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
13069 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
13070 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
13071 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
13072 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
13073 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
13074 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
13075 are not being executed.
13076
13077 @node Overlay Sample Program
13078 @section Overlay Sample Program
13079 @cindex overlay example program
13080
13081 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
13082 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
13083 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
13084 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
13085 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
13086 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
13087 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
13088
13089 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
13090 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
13091 suite. The program consists of the following files from
13092 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
13093
13094 @table @file
13095 @item overlays.c
13096 The main program file.
13097 @item ovlymgr.c
13098 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
13099 @item foo.c
13100 @itemx bar.c
13101 @itemx baz.c
13102 @itemx grbx.c
13103 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
13104 @item d10v.ld
13105 @itemx m32r.ld
13106 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
13107 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
13108 @end table
13109
13110 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
13111 cross-compiler like this:
13112
13113 @smallexample
13114 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
13115 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
13116 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
13117 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
13118 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
13119 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
13120 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
13121 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
13122 @end smallexample
13123
13124 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
13125 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
13126 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
13127
13128
13129 @node Languages
13130 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
13131 @cindex languages
13132
13133 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
13134 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
13135 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
13136 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
13137 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
13138 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
13139
13140 @cindex working language
13141 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
13142 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
13143 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
13144 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
13145 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
13146 language}.
13147
13148 @menu
13149 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
13150 * Show:: Displaying the language
13151 * Checks:: Type and range checks
13152 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
13153 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
13154 @end menu
13155
13156 @node Setting
13157 @section Switching Between Source Languages
13158
13159 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
13160 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
13161 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
13162 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
13163 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
13164 are printed, etc.
13165
13166 In addition to the working language, every source file that
13167 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
13168 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
13169 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
13170 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
13171 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
13172 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
13173 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
13174 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
13175 Displaying the Language}.
13176
13177 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
13178 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
13179 another language. In that case, make the
13180 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
13181 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
13182 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
13183
13184 @menu
13185 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
13186 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
13187 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
13188 @end menu
13189
13190 @node Filenames
13191 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
13192
13193 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
13194 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
13195
13196 @table @file
13197 @item .ada
13198 @itemx .ads
13199 @itemx .adb
13200 @itemx .a
13201 Ada source file.
13202
13203 @item .c
13204 C source file
13205
13206 @item .C
13207 @itemx .cc
13208 @itemx .cp
13209 @itemx .cpp
13210 @itemx .cxx
13211 @itemx .c++
13212 C@t{++} source file
13213
13214 @item .d
13215 D source file
13216
13217 @item .m
13218 Objective-C source file
13219
13220 @item .f
13221 @itemx .F
13222 Fortran source file
13223
13224 @item .mod
13225 Modula-2 source file
13226
13227 @item .s
13228 @itemx .S
13229 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
13230 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
13231 @end table
13232
13233 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
13234 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
13235
13236 @node Manually
13237 @subsection Setting the Working Language
13238
13239 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
13240 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
13241 your program.
13242
13243 @kindex set language
13244 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
13245 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
13246 a language, such as
13247 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
13248 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
13249
13250 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
13251 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
13252 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
13253 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
13254 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
13255 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
13256 command such as:
13257
13258 @smallexample
13259 print a = b + c
13260 @end smallexample
13261
13262 @noindent
13263 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
13264 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
13265 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
13266 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
13267
13268 @node Automatically
13269 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
13270
13271 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
13272 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
13273 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
13274 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
13275 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
13276 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
13277 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
13278 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
13279 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
13280
13281 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
13282 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
13283 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
13284 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
13285 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
13286
13287 @node Show
13288 @section Displaying the Language
13289
13290 The following commands help you find out which language is the
13291 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
13292
13293 @table @code
13294 @item show language
13295 @kindex show language
13296 Display the current working language. This is the
13297 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
13298 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
13299
13300 @item info frame
13301 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
13302 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
13303 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
13304 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
13305 information listed here.
13306
13307 @item info source
13308 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
13309 Display the source language of this source file.
13310 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
13311 information listed here.
13312 @end table
13313
13314 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
13315 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
13316 with a language explicitly:
13317
13318 @table @code
13319 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
13320 @kindex set extension-language
13321 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
13322 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
13323
13324 @item info extensions
13325 @kindex info extensions
13326 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
13327 @end table
13328
13329 @node Checks
13330 @section Type and Range Checking
13331
13332 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
13333 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
13334 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
13335 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
13336 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
13337 by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
13338 errors when your program is running.
13339
13340 By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
13341 rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
13342 the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
13343 into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
13344
13345 @menu
13346 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
13347 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
13348 @end menu
13349
13350 @cindex type checking
13351 @cindex checks, type
13352 @node Type Checking
13353 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
13354
13355 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
13356 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
13357 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
13358 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
13359
13360 @smallexample
13361 int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
13362
13363 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
13364 $1 = 2
13365 @exdent but
13366 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
13367 Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
13368 @end smallexample
13369
13370 The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
13371 @samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
13372
13373 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13374 @value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
13375 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
13376 When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
13377 expressions like the second example above.
13378
13379 Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
13380 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
13381 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
13382 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
13383 with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
13384 little sense to evaluate anyway.
13385
13386 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
13387
13388 @kindex set check type
13389 @kindex show check type
13390 @table @code
13391 @item set check type on
13392 @itemx set check type off
13393 Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
13394 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
13395 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
13396
13397 @item show check type
13398 Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
13399 is enforcing strict type checking rules.
13400 @end table
13401
13402 @cindex range checking
13403 @cindex checks, range
13404 @node Range Checking
13405 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
13406
13407 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
13408 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
13409 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
13410 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
13411 not exceed the bounds of the array.
13412
13413 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13414 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
13415 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
13416 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
13417
13418 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
13419 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
13420 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
13421 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
13422 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
13423 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
13424
13425 @smallexample
13426 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
13427 @end smallexample
13428
13429 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
13430 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
13431 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
13432
13433 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
13434
13435 @kindex set check range
13436 @kindex show check range
13437 @table @code
13438 @item set check range auto
13439 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
13440 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
13441 each language.
13442
13443 @item set check range on
13444 @itemx set check range off
13445 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
13446 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
13447 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
13448 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
13449
13450 @item set check range warn
13451 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
13452 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
13453 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
13454 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
13455 systems).
13456
13457 @item show range
13458 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
13459 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
13460 @end table
13461
13462 @node Supported Languages
13463 @section Supported Languages
13464
13465 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran, Java,
13466 OpenCL C, Pascal, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
13467 @c This is false ...
13468 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
13469 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
13470 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
13471 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
13472 language.
13473
13474 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
13475 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
13476 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
13477 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
13478 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
13479 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
13480 language reference or tutorial.
13481
13482 @menu
13483 * C:: C and C@t{++}
13484 * D:: D
13485 * Go:: Go
13486 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
13487 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
13488 * Fortran:: Fortran
13489 * Pascal:: Pascal
13490 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
13491 * Ada:: Ada
13492 @end menu
13493
13494 @node C
13495 @subsection C and C@t{++}
13496
13497 @cindex C and C@t{++}
13498 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
13499
13500 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
13501 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
13502 together.
13503
13504 @cindex C@t{++}
13505 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
13506 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
13507 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
13508 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
13509 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
13510 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
13511 compiler (@code{aCC}).
13512
13513 @menu
13514 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
13515 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
13516 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
13517 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
13518 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
13519 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
13520 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
13521 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
13522 @end menu
13523
13524 @node C Operators
13525 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
13526
13527 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
13528
13529 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13530 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13531 often defined on groups of types.
13532
13533 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
13534
13535 @itemize @bullet
13536
13537 @item
13538 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
13539 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
13540
13541 @item
13542 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
13543 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
13544
13545 @item
13546 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
13547
13548 @item
13549 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
13550
13551 @end itemize
13552
13553 @noindent
13554 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
13555 in order of increasing precedence:
13556
13557 @table @code
13558 @item ,
13559 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
13560 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
13561 expression being the last expression evaluated.
13562
13563 @item =
13564 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
13565 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
13566
13567 @item @var{op}=
13568 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
13569 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
13570 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
13571 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
13572 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
13573
13574 @item ?:
13575 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
13576 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
13577 integral type.
13578
13579 @item ||
13580 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13581
13582 @item &&
13583 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13584
13585 @item |
13586 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13587
13588 @item ^
13589 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13590
13591 @item &
13592 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13593
13594 @item ==@r{, }!=
13595 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
13596 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
13597
13598 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
13599 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
13600 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
13601 and non-zero for true.
13602
13603 @item <<@r{, }>>
13604 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
13605
13606 @item @@
13607 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
13608
13609 @item +@r{, }-
13610 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
13611 pointer types.
13612
13613 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
13614 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
13615 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
13616 integral types.
13617
13618 @item ++@r{, }--
13619 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
13620 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
13621 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
13622 operation takes place.
13623
13624 @item *
13625 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
13626 @code{++}.
13627
13628 @item &
13629 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
13630
13631 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
13632 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
13633 to examine the address
13634 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
13635 stored.
13636
13637 @item -
13638 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
13639 precedence as @code{++}.
13640
13641 @item !
13642 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13643 @code{++}.
13644
13645 @item ~
13646 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13647 @code{++}.
13648
13649
13650 @item .@r{, }->
13651 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
13652 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
13653 pointer based on the stored type information.
13654 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
13655
13656 @item .*@r{, }->*
13657 Dereferences of pointers to members.
13658
13659 @item []
13660 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
13661 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13662
13663 @item ()
13664 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13665
13666 @item ::
13667 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
13668 and @code{class} types.
13669
13670 @item ::
13671 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
13672 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
13673 above.
13674 @end table
13675
13676 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
13677 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
13678 predefined meaning.
13679
13680 @node C Constants
13681 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
13682
13683 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
13684
13685 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
13686 following ways:
13687
13688 @itemize @bullet
13689 @item
13690 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
13691 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
13692 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
13693 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
13694 @code{long} value.
13695
13696 @item
13697 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
13698 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
13699 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
13700 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
13701 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
13702 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
13703 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
13704 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
13705 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
13706 constant.
13707
13708 @item
13709 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
13710 integral equivalents.
13711
13712 @item
13713 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
13714 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
13715 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
13716 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
13717 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
13718 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
13719 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
13720 @samp{\n} for newline.
13721
13722 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
13723 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
13724 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
13725 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13726
13727 @item
13728 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
13729 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
13730 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
13731 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
13732 characters.
13733
13734 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
13735 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
13736 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13737
13738 @item
13739 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
13740 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
13741
13742 @item
13743 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
13744 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
13745 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
13746 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
13747 @end itemize
13748
13749 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
13750 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
13751
13752 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
13753 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
13754
13755 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
13756 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
13757 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
13758 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
13759 @quotation
13760 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
13761 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
13762 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
13763 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
13764 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
13765 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
13766 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
13767 code. @xref{Compilation}.
13768 @end quotation
13769
13770 @enumerate
13771
13772 @cindex member functions
13773 @item
13774 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
13775
13776 @smallexample
13777 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
13778 @end smallexample
13779
13780 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
13781 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
13782 @item
13783 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
13784 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
13785 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
13786 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
13787 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
13788
13789 @cindex call overloaded functions
13790 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
13791 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
13792 @item
13793 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
13794 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
13795 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
13796 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
13797 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
13798 default arguments.
13799
13800 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
13801 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
13802 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
13803 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
13804 number of function arguments.
13805
13806 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
13807 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
13808 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
13809
13810 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
13811 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
13812 @smallexample
13813 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
13814 @end smallexample
13815
13816 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
13817 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
13818
13819 @cindex reference declarations
13820 @item
13821 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
13822 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
13823 dereferenced.
13824
13825 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
13826 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
13827 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
13828 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
13829 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
13830
13831 @item
13832 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
13833 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
13834 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
13835 necessary, for example in an expression like
13836 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
13837 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
13838 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
13839
13840 @item
13841 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
13842 specification.
13843 @end enumerate
13844
13845 @node C Defaults
13846 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
13847
13848 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
13849
13850 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
13851 defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
13852 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
13853 selects the working language.
13854
13855 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
13856 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
13857 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
13858 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
13859 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
13860 for further details.
13861
13862 @node C Checks
13863 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
13864
13865 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
13866
13867 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
13868 checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
13869 will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
13870 constants to pointers.
13871
13872 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
13873 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
13874 that is not itself an array.
13875
13876 @node Debugging C
13877 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
13878
13879 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
13880 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
13881 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
13882 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
13883
13884 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
13885 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
13886 ,Expressions}.
13887
13888 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
13889 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
13890
13891 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
13892
13893 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
13894 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
13895
13896 @table @code
13897 @cindex break in overloaded functions
13898 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
13899 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
13900 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
13901 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
13902 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
13903
13904 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
13905 @item rbreak @var{regex}
13906 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
13907 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
13908 classes.
13909 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13910
13911 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
13912 @item catch throw
13913 @itemx catch rethrow
13914 @itemx catch catch
13915 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
13916 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
13917
13918 @cindex inheritance
13919 @item ptype @var{typename}
13920 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
13921 @var{typename}.
13922 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
13923
13924 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
13925 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
13926 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
13927 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
13928 multiple inheritance is in use.
13929
13930 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
13931 @item set print demangle
13932 @itemx show print demangle
13933 @itemx set print asm-demangle
13934 @itemx show print asm-demangle
13935 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
13936 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
13937 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13938
13939 @item set print object
13940 @itemx show print object
13941 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
13942 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13943
13944 @item set print vtbl
13945 @itemx show print vtbl
13946 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
13947 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13948 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
13949 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
13950
13951 @kindex set overload-resolution
13952 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
13953 @item set overload-resolution on
13954 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
13955 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
13956 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
13957 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
13958 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
13959 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
13960
13961 @item set overload-resolution off
13962 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
13963 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13964 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
13965 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
13966 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13967 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
13968 argument types.
13969
13970 @kindex show overload-resolution
13971 @item show overload-resolution
13972 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
13973
13974 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
13975 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
13976 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
13977 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
13978 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
13979 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
13980 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
13981 @end table
13982
13983 @node Decimal Floating Point
13984 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
13985 @cindex decimal floating point format
13986
13987 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
13988 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
13989 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
13990 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
13991
13992 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
13993 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
13994 PowerPC and S/390. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the
13995 configured target.
13996
13997 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
13998 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
13999 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
14000
14001 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
14002 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
14003 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
14004
14005 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
14006 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
14007 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
14008
14009 @node D
14010 @subsection D
14011
14012 @cindex D
14013 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
14014 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
14015 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
14016
14017 @node Go
14018 @subsection Go
14019
14020 @cindex Go (programming language)
14021 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
14022 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
14023
14024 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
14025
14026 @table @code
14027 @cindex current Go package
14028 @item The current Go package
14029 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
14030 specifying global variables and functions.
14031
14032 For example, given the program:
14033
14034 @example
14035 package main
14036 var myglob = "Shall we?"
14037 func main () @{
14038 // ...
14039 @}
14040 @end example
14041
14042 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
14043
14044 @example
14045 (gdb) p myglob
14046 (gdb) p main.myglob
14047 @end example
14048
14049 @cindex builtin Go types
14050 @item Builtin Go types
14051 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
14052 as a string.
14053
14054 @cindex builtin Go functions
14055 @item Builtin Go functions
14056 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
14057 function and handles it internally.
14058
14059 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
14060 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
14061 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
14062 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
14063 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
14064 @end table
14065
14066 @node Objective-C
14067 @subsection Objective-C
14068
14069 @cindex Objective-C
14070 This section provides information about some commands and command
14071 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
14072 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
14073 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
14074
14075 @menu
14076 * Method Names in Commands::
14077 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
14078 @end menu
14079
14080 @node Method Names in Commands
14081 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
14082
14083 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
14084 names as line specifications:
14085
14086 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
14087 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
14088 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
14089 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
14090 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
14091 @itemize
14092 @item @code{clear}
14093 @item @code{break}
14094 @item @code{info line}
14095 @item @code{jump}
14096 @item @code{list}
14097 @end itemize
14098
14099 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
14100
14101 @smallexample
14102 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
14103 @end smallexample
14104
14105 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
14106 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
14107 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
14108 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
14109 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
14110 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
14111 debugged, enter:
14112
14113 @smallexample
14114 break -[Fruit create]
14115 @end smallexample
14116
14117 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
14118 enter:
14119
14120 @smallexample
14121 list +[NSText initialize]
14122 @end smallexample
14123
14124 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
14125 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
14126 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
14127 is also possible to specify just a method name:
14128
14129 @smallexample
14130 break create
14131 @end smallexample
14132
14133 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
14134 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
14135 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
14136 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
14137 none apply.
14138
14139 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
14140 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
14141
14142 @smallexample
14143 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
14144 @end smallexample
14145
14146 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
14147 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
14148 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
14149 @kindex print-object
14150 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
14151
14152 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
14153
14154 @smallexample
14155 print -[@var{object} hash]
14156 @end smallexample
14157
14158 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
14159 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
14160 @noindent
14161 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
14162 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
14163 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
14164 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
14165 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
14166 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
14167
14168 @node OpenCL C
14169 @subsection OpenCL C
14170
14171 @cindex OpenCL C
14172 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
14173
14174 @menu
14175 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
14176 * OpenCL C Expressions::
14177 * OpenCL C Operators::
14178 @end menu
14179
14180 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
14181 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
14182
14183 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
14184 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
14185 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
14186 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
14187 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
14188
14189 @node OpenCL C Expressions
14190 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
14191
14192 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
14193 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
14194 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
14195 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
14196
14197 @node OpenCL C Operators
14198 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
14199
14200 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
14201 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
14202 vector data types.
14203
14204 @node Fortran
14205 @subsection Fortran
14206 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
14207
14208 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
14209 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
14210
14211 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
14212 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
14213 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
14214 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
14215 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
14216 underscore.
14217
14218 @menu
14219 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
14220 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
14221 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
14222 @end menu
14223
14224 @node Fortran Operators
14225 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
14226
14227 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
14228
14229 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14230 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
14231 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
14232
14233 @table @code
14234 @item **
14235 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
14236 of the second one.
14237
14238 @item :
14239 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
14240 represent a section of array.
14241
14242 @item %
14243 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
14244 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
14245 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
14246 union type.
14247 @end table
14248
14249 @node Fortran Defaults
14250 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
14251
14252 @cindex Fortran Defaults
14253
14254 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
14255 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
14256 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
14257 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
14258
14259 @node Special Fortran Commands
14260 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
14261
14262 @cindex Special Fortran commands
14263
14264 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
14265 such as displaying common blocks.
14266
14267 @table @code
14268 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
14269 @kindex info common
14270 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
14271 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
14272 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
14273 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
14274 printed.
14275 @end table
14276
14277 @node Pascal
14278 @subsection Pascal
14279
14280 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
14281 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
14282 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
14283 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
14284 syntax.
14285
14286 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
14287 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
14288 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
14289
14290 @node Modula-2
14291 @subsection Modula-2
14292
14293 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
14294
14295 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
14296 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
14297 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
14298 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14299 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
14300 table.
14301
14302 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
14303 @menu
14304 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
14305 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
14306 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
14307 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
14308 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
14309 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
14310 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
14311 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14312 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14313 @end menu
14314
14315 @node M2 Operators
14316 @subsubsection Operators
14317 @cindex Modula-2 operators
14318
14319 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14320 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
14321 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
14322 following definitions hold:
14323
14324 @itemize @bullet
14325
14326 @item
14327 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
14328 their subranges.
14329
14330 @item
14331 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
14332
14333 @item
14334 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
14335
14336 @item
14337 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
14338 @var{type}}.
14339
14340 @item
14341 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
14342
14343 @item
14344 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
14345
14346 @item
14347 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
14348 @end itemize
14349
14350 @noindent
14351 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
14352 increasing precedence:
14353
14354 @table @code
14355 @item ,
14356 Function argument or array index separator.
14357
14358 @item :=
14359 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
14360 @var{value}.
14361
14362 @item <@r{, }>
14363 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
14364 types.
14365
14366 @item <=@r{, }>=
14367 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
14368 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
14369 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
14370
14371 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
14372 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
14373 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
14374 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
14375 comment character.
14376
14377 @item IN
14378 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
14379 Same precedence as @code{<}.
14380
14381 @item OR
14382 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14383
14384 @item AND@r{, }&
14385 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14386
14387 @item @@
14388 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
14389
14390 @item +@r{, }-
14391 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
14392 and difference on set types.
14393
14394 @item *
14395 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
14396 on set types.
14397
14398 @item /
14399 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
14400 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
14401
14402 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
14403 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
14404 precedence as @code{*}.
14405
14406 @item -
14407 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
14408
14409 @item ^
14410 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
14411
14412 @item NOT
14413 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
14414 @code{^}.
14415
14416 @item .
14417 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
14418 precedence as @code{^}.
14419
14420 @item []
14421 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
14422
14423 @item ()
14424 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
14425 as @code{^}.
14426
14427 @item ::@r{, }.
14428 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
14429 @end table
14430
14431 @quotation
14432 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
14433 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
14434 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
14435 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
14436 @end quotation
14437
14438
14439 @node Built-In Func/Proc
14440 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
14441 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
14442
14443 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
14444 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
14445
14446 @table @var
14447
14448 @item a
14449 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
14450
14451 @item c
14452 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
14453
14454 @item i
14455 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
14456
14457 @item m
14458 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
14459 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
14460 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
14461
14462 @item n
14463 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
14464
14465 @item r
14466 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
14467
14468 @item t
14469 represents a type.
14470
14471 @item v
14472 represents a variable.
14473
14474 @item x
14475 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
14476 explanation of the function for details.
14477 @end table
14478
14479 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
14480
14481 @table @code
14482 @item ABS(@var{n})
14483 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
14484
14485 @item CAP(@var{c})
14486 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
14487 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
14488
14489 @item CHR(@var{i})
14490 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14491
14492 @item DEC(@var{v})
14493 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14494
14495 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
14496 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14497 new value.
14498
14499 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14500 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
14501 set.
14502
14503 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
14504 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
14505
14506 @item HIGH(@var{a})
14507 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
14508
14509 @item INC(@var{v})
14510 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14511
14512 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
14513 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14514 new value.
14515
14516 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14517 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
14518 there. Returns the new set.
14519
14520 @item MAX(@var{t})
14521 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
14522
14523 @item MIN(@var{t})
14524 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
14525
14526 @item ODD(@var{i})
14527 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
14528
14529 @item ORD(@var{x})
14530 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
14531 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
14532 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
14533 integral, character and enumerated types.
14534
14535 @item SIZE(@var{x})
14536 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
14537
14538 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
14539 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
14540
14541 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
14542 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
14543
14544 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
14545 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14546 @end table
14547
14548 @quotation
14549 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
14550 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
14551 an error.
14552 @end quotation
14553
14554 @cindex Modula-2 constants
14555 @node M2 Constants
14556 @subsubsection Constants
14557
14558 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
14559 ways:
14560
14561 @itemize @bullet
14562
14563 @item
14564 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
14565 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
14566 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
14567 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
14568
14569 @item
14570 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
14571 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
14572 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
14573 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
14574 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
14575 digits.
14576
14577 @item
14578 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
14579 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
14580 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
14581 followed by a @samp{C}.
14582
14583 @item
14584 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
14585 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
14586 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
14587 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
14588 sequences.
14589
14590 @item
14591 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
14592
14593 @item
14594 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
14595 @code{FALSE}.
14596
14597 @item
14598 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
14599
14600 @item
14601 Set constants are not yet supported.
14602 @end itemize
14603
14604 @node M2 Types
14605 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
14606 @cindex Modula-2 types
14607
14608 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
14609 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
14610 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
14611 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
14612 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
14613 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
14614
14615 The first example contains the following section of code:
14616
14617 @smallexample
14618 VAR
14619 s: SET OF CHAR ;
14620 r: [20..40] ;
14621 @end smallexample
14622
14623 @noindent
14624 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
14625 @code{r} and @code{s}.
14626
14627 @smallexample
14628 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14629 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
14630 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14631 SET OF CHAR
14632 (@value{GDBP}) print r
14633 21
14634 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
14635 [20..40]
14636 @end smallexample
14637
14638 @noindent
14639 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
14640
14641 @smallexample
14642 VAR
14643 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
14644 @end smallexample
14645
14646 @noindent
14647 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
14648
14649 @smallexample
14650 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14651 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
14652 @end smallexample
14653
14654 @noindent
14655 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
14656 expressions using the debugger.
14657
14658 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
14659 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
14660
14661 @smallexample
14662 VAR
14663 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
14664 @end smallexample
14665
14666 @smallexample
14667 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14668 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
14669 @end smallexample
14670
14671 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
14672 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
14673 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
14674 above.
14675
14676 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
14677
14678 @smallexample
14679 TYPE
14680 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
14681 t = [blue..yellow] ;
14682 VAR
14683 s: t ;
14684 BEGIN
14685 s := blue ;
14686 @end smallexample
14687
14688 @noindent
14689 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
14690 and value of a variable.
14691
14692 @smallexample
14693 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14694 $1 = blue
14695 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
14696 type = [blue..yellow]
14697 @end smallexample
14698
14699 @noindent
14700 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
14701 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
14702 their @code{C} counterparts.
14703
14704 @smallexample
14705 VAR
14706 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14707 BEGIN
14708 s[1] := 1 ;
14709 @end smallexample
14710
14711 @smallexample
14712 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14713 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
14714 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14715 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14716 @end smallexample
14717
14718 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
14719 pointer types as shown in this example:
14720
14721 @smallexample
14722 VAR
14723 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14724 BEGIN
14725 NEW(s) ;
14726 s^[1] := 1 ;
14727 @end smallexample
14728
14729 @noindent
14730 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
14731
14732 @smallexample
14733 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14734 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14735 @end smallexample
14736
14737 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
14738 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
14739 types:
14740
14741 @smallexample
14742 TYPE
14743 foo = RECORD
14744 f1: CARDINAL ;
14745 f2: CHAR ;
14746 f3: myarray ;
14747 END ;
14748
14749 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
14750 myrange = [-2..2] ;
14751 VAR
14752 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
14753 @end smallexample
14754
14755 @noindent
14756 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
14757 below.
14758
14759 @smallexample
14760 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14761 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
14762 f1 : CARDINAL;
14763 f2 : CHAR;
14764 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
14765 END
14766 @end smallexample
14767
14768 @node M2 Defaults
14769 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
14770 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
14771
14772 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
14773 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
14774 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
14775 selected the working language.
14776
14777 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
14778 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
14779 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
14780 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
14781
14782 @node Deviations
14783 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
14784 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
14785
14786 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
14787 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
14788
14789 @itemize @bullet
14790 @item
14791 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
14792 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
14793 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
14794 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
14795 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
14796 returned a pointer.)
14797
14798 @item
14799 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
14800 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
14801 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
14802 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
14803
14804 @item
14805 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
14806 argument.
14807
14808 @item
14809 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
14810 @end itemize
14811
14812 @node M2 Checks
14813 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
14814 @cindex Modula-2 checks
14815
14816 @quotation
14817 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
14818 range checking.
14819 @end quotation
14820 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
14821
14822 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
14823
14824 @itemize @bullet
14825 @item
14826 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
14827 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
14828
14829 @item
14830 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
14831 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
14832 @end itemize
14833
14834 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
14835 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
14836
14837 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
14838 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
14839
14840 @node M2 Scope
14841 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14842 @cindex scope
14843 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
14844 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
14845 @ifinfo
14846 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
14847 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
14848 @end ifinfo
14849 @ifnotinfo
14850 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
14851 @end ifnotinfo
14852
14853 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
14854 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
14855 similar syntax:
14856
14857 @smallexample
14858
14859 @var{module} . @var{id}
14860 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
14861 @end smallexample
14862
14863 @noindent
14864 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
14865 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
14866 identifier within your program, except another module.
14867
14868 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
14869 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
14870 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
14871 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
14872
14873 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
14874 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
14875 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
14876 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
14877 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
14878 @var{module}.
14879
14880 @node GDB/M2
14881 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14882
14883 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
14884 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
14885 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
14886 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
14887 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
14888 analogue in Modula-2.
14889
14890 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
14891 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
14892 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
14893 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
14894 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
14895 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
14896
14897 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
14898 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
14899 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
14900
14901 @node Ada
14902 @subsection Ada
14903 @cindex Ada
14904
14905 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
14906 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
14907 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
14908 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14909 to be difficult.
14910
14911
14912 @cindex expressions in Ada
14913 @menu
14914 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
14915 and semantics supported by Ada mode
14916 in @value{GDBN}.
14917 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
14918 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
14919 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
14920 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
14921 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14922 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
14923 Profile
14924 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
14925 @end menu
14926
14927 @node Ada Mode Intro
14928 @subsubsection Introduction
14929 @cindex Ada mode, general
14930
14931 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
14932 syntax, with some extensions.
14933 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
14934
14935 @itemize @bullet
14936 @item
14937 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
14938 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
14939 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
14940 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
14941
14942 @item
14943 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
14944 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14945
14946 @item
14947 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14948 @end itemize
14949
14950 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
14951 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
14952 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
14953 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
14954 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
14955
14956 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
14957 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
14958 was translated from an Ada source file.
14959
14960 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
14961 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
14962 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
14963 middle (to allow based literals).
14964
14965 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
14966 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
14967 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
14968 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
14969 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
14970 functions to procedures elsewhere.
14971
14972 @node Omissions from Ada
14973 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
14974 @cindex Ada, omissions from
14975
14976 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
14977
14978 @itemize @bullet
14979 @item
14980 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
14981
14982 @itemize @minus
14983 @item
14984 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
14985 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
14986
14987 @item
14988 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
14989
14990 @item
14991 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
14992
14993 @item
14994 @t{'Tag}.
14995
14996 @item
14997 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
14998 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
14999
15000 @item
15001 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
15002 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
15003
15004 @item
15005 @t{'Address}.
15006 @end itemize
15007
15008 @item
15009 The names in
15010 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
15011 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
15012 not currently available.
15013
15014 @item
15015 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
15016 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
15017 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
15018 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
15019 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
15020 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
15021 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
15022 indeterminate values.
15023
15024 @item
15025 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
15026 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
15027 are not implemented.
15028
15029 @item
15030 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
15031 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
15032 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
15033 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
15034 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
15035
15036 @smallexample
15037 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
15038 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
15039 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
15040 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
15041 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
15042 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
15043 @end smallexample
15044
15045 Changing a
15046 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
15047 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
15048 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
15049 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
15050 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
15051 declared to have a type such as:
15052
15053 @smallexample
15054 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
15055 Id : Integer;
15056 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
15057 end record;
15058 @end smallexample
15059
15060 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
15061 assignments:
15062
15063 @smallexample
15064 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
15065 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
15066 @end smallexample
15067
15068 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
15069 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
15070 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
15071 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
15072 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
15073 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
15074 redundant component associations, although which component values are
15075 assigned in such cases is not defined.
15076
15077 @item
15078 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
15079
15080 @item
15081 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
15082 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
15083 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
15084 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
15085 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
15086 the proper resolution.
15087
15088 @item
15089 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
15090
15091 @item
15092 Entry calls are not implemented.
15093
15094 @item
15095 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
15096 formats are not supported.
15097
15098 @item
15099 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
15100
15101 @item
15102 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
15103 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
15104 context.
15105 Should your program
15106 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
15107 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
15108 @end itemize
15109
15110 @node Additions to Ada
15111 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
15112 @cindex Ada, deviations from
15113
15114 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
15115 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
15116
15117 @itemize @bullet
15118 @item
15119 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
15120 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
15121 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
15122 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
15123 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
15124 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
15125 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
15126 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
15127
15128 @item
15129 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
15130 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
15131 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
15132
15133 @item
15134 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
15135 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
15136
15137 @item
15138 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
15139 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
15140 @end itemize
15141
15142 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
15143 additions specific to Ada:
15144
15145 @itemize @bullet
15146 @item
15147 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
15148 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
15149
15150 @smallexample
15151 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
15152 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
15153 @end smallexample
15154
15155 @item
15156 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
15157 the value of its right-hand operand.
15158 This allows, for example,
15159 complex conditional breaks:
15160
15161 @smallexample
15162 (@value{GDBP}) break f
15163 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
15164 @end smallexample
15165
15166 @item
15167 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
15168 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
15169 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
15170 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
15171 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
15172 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
15173 in strings. For example,
15174 @smallexample
15175 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
15176 @end smallexample
15177 @noindent
15178 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
15179 after each period.
15180
15181 @item
15182 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
15183 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
15184 to write
15185
15186 @smallexample
15187 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
15188 @end smallexample
15189
15190 @item
15191 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
15192 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
15193 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
15194 of 3 might print as
15195
15196 @smallexample
15197 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
15198 @end smallexample
15199
15200 @noindent
15201 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
15202 clause.
15203
15204 @item
15205 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
15206 multi-character subsequence of
15207 their names (an exact match gets preference).
15208 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
15209 in place of @t{a'length}.
15210
15211 @item
15212 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
15213 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
15214 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
15215 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
15216 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
15217 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
15218 For example,
15219 @smallexample
15220 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
15221 @end smallexample
15222
15223 @item
15224 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
15225 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
15226 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
15227 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
15228 object.
15229
15230 @end itemize
15231
15232 @node Stopping Before Main Program
15233 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
15234
15235 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
15236 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
15237 before reaching the main procedure.
15238 As defined in the Ada Reference
15239 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
15240 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
15241 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
15242 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
15243
15244 @node Ada Tasks
15245 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
15246 @cindex Ada, tasking
15247
15248 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
15249 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
15250
15251 @table @code
15252 @kindex info tasks
15253 @item info tasks
15254 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
15255
15256
15257 @smallexample
15258 @iftex
15259 @leftskip=0.5cm
15260 @end iftex
15261 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15262 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15263 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15264 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
15265 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
15266 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
15267
15268 @end smallexample
15269
15270 @noindent
15271 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
15272 task currently being inspected.
15273
15274 @table @asis
15275 @item ID
15276 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
15277
15278 @item TID
15279 The Ada task ID.
15280
15281 @item P-ID
15282 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
15283
15284 @item Pri
15285 The base priority of the task.
15286
15287 @item State
15288 Current state of the task.
15289
15290 @table @code
15291 @item Unactivated
15292 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
15293 executing.
15294
15295 @item Runnable
15296 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
15297 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
15298
15299 @item Terminated
15300 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
15301 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
15302 terminated themselves.
15303
15304 @item Child Activation Wait
15305 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
15306
15307 @item Accept Statement
15308 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
15309
15310 @item Waiting on entry call
15311 The task is waiting on an entry call.
15312
15313 @item Async Select Wait
15314 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
15315 select statement.
15316
15317 @item Delay Sleep
15318 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
15319 alternative open.
15320
15321 @item Child Termination Wait
15322 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
15323 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
15324 waiting on a terminate Phase.
15325
15326 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
15327 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
15328 finish terminating.
15329
15330 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
15331 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
15332 @end table
15333
15334 @item Name
15335 Name of the task in the program.
15336
15337 @end table
15338
15339 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
15340 @item info task @var{taskno}
15341 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
15342 the following example:
15343 @smallexample
15344 @iftex
15345 @leftskip=0.5cm
15346 @end iftex
15347 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15348 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15349 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15350 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
15351 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
15352 Ada Task: 0x807c468
15353 Name: task_1
15354 Thread: 0x807f378
15355 Parent: 1 (main_task)
15356 Base Priority: 15
15357 State: Runnable
15358 @end smallexample
15359
15360 @item task
15361 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
15362 @cindex current Ada task ID
15363 This command prints the ID of the current task.
15364
15365 @smallexample
15366 @iftex
15367 @leftskip=0.5cm
15368 @end iftex
15369 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15370 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15371 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15372 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15373 (@value{GDBP}) task
15374 [Current task is 2]
15375 @end smallexample
15376
15377 @item task @var{taskno}
15378 @cindex Ada task switching
15379 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
15380 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
15381 from the current task to the given task.
15382
15383 @smallexample
15384 @iftex
15385 @leftskip=0.5cm
15386 @end iftex
15387 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15388 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15389 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15390 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15391 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
15392 [Switching to task 1]
15393 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15394 (@value{GDBP}) bt
15395 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15396 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
15397 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
15398 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
15399 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
15400 @end smallexample
15401
15402 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
15403 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
15404 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
15405 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
15406 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
15407 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
15408 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
15409 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
15410 in @ref{Specify Location}.
15411
15412 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
15413 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
15414 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
15415 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
15416 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
15417
15418 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
15419 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
15420 program.
15421
15422 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
15423 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
15424 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
15425
15426 For example,
15427
15428 @smallexample
15429 @iftex
15430 @leftskip=0.5cm
15431 @end iftex
15432 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15433 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15434 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15435 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
15436 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15437 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
15438 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
15439 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
15440 (@value{GDBP}) cont
15441 Continuing.
15442 task # 1 running
15443 task # 2 running
15444
15445 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
15446 15 flush;
15447 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15448 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15449 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15450 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
15451 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15452 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
15453 @end smallexample
15454 @end table
15455
15456 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
15457 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
15458 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
15459
15460 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
15461 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
15462 the platform being used.
15463 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
15464 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
15465 as usual.
15466
15467 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
15468 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
15469 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
15470 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
15471 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
15472 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
15473
15474 @node Ravenscar Profile
15475 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
15476 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
15477
15478 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
15479 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
15480 requirements.
15481
15482 @table @code
15483 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
15484 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
15485 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
15486 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15487 Profile. This is the default.
15488
15489 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
15490 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
15491 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15492 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
15493 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
15494 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
15495 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
15496
15497 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
15498 @item show ravenscar task-switching
15499 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
15500 using the Ravenscar Profile.
15501
15502 @end table
15503
15504 @node Ada Glitches
15505 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
15506 @cindex Ada, problems
15507
15508 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
15509 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
15510 @value{GDBN},
15511 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
15512 and the GNU Ada compiler.
15513
15514 @itemize @bullet
15515 @item
15516 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
15517 storage are invisible to the debugger.
15518
15519 @item
15520 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
15521 argument lists are treated as positional).
15522
15523 @item
15524 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
15525
15526 @item
15527 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
15528 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
15529 the host machine.
15530
15531 @item
15532 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
15533 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
15534 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
15535 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
15536 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
15537 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
15538 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
15539 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
15540 you can usually resolve the confusion
15541 by qualifying the problematic names with package
15542 @code{Standard} explicitly.
15543 @end itemize
15544
15545 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
15546 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
15547 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
15548 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
15549 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
15550 enabled.
15551
15552 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15553 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15554 @table @code
15555
15556 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
15557 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
15558 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
15559 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
15560 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
15561 This is the default.
15562
15563 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
15564 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
15565 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
15566 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
15567 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
15568 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
15569 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
15570
15571 @end table
15572
15573 @node Unsupported Languages
15574 @section Unsupported Languages
15575
15576 @cindex unsupported languages
15577 @cindex minimal language
15578 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
15579 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
15580 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
15581 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
15582 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
15583 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
15584
15585 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
15586 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
15587 language.
15588
15589 @node Symbols
15590 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
15591
15592 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
15593 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
15594 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
15595 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
15596 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
15597 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
15598 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15599
15600 @cindex symbol names
15601 @cindex names of symbols
15602 @cindex quoting names
15603 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
15604 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
15605 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
15606 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
15607 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
15608 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
15609 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
15610 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
15611
15612 @smallexample
15613 p 'foo.c'::x
15614 @end smallexample
15615
15616 @noindent
15617 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
15618
15619 @table @code
15620 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
15621 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
15622 @kindex set case-sensitive
15623 @item set case-sensitive on
15624 @itemx set case-sensitive off
15625 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
15626 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
15627 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
15628 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
15629 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
15630 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
15631 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
15632 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
15633 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
15634 case-insensitive matches.
15635
15636 @kindex show case-sensitive
15637 @item show case-sensitive
15638 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
15639 lookups.
15640
15641 @kindex set print type methods
15642 @item set print type methods
15643 @itemx set print type methods on
15644 @itemx set print type methods off
15645 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any methods
15646 declared in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15647 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15648 print type methods}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15649 display the methods; this is the default. Specifying @code{off} will
15650 cause @value{GDBN} to omit the methods.
15651
15652 @kindex show print type methods
15653 @item show print type methods
15654 This command shows the current setting of method display when printing
15655 classes.
15656
15657 @kindex set print type typedefs
15658 @item set print type typedefs
15659 @itemx set print type typedefs on
15660 @itemx set print type typedefs off
15661
15662 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any typedefs
15663 defined in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15664 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15665 print type typedefs}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15666 display the typedef definitions; this is the default. Specifying
15667 @code{off} will cause @value{GDBN} to omit the typedef definitions.
15668 Note that this controls whether the typedef definition itself is
15669 printed, not whether typedef names are substituted when printing other
15670 types.
15671
15672 @kindex show print type typedefs
15673 @item show print type typedefs
15674 This command shows the current setting of typedef display when
15675 printing classes.
15676
15677 @kindex info address
15678 @cindex address of a symbol
15679 @item info address @var{symbol}
15680 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
15681 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
15682 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
15683 is always stored.
15684
15685 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
15686 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
15687 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
15688
15689 @kindex info symbol
15690 @cindex symbol from address
15691 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
15692 @item info symbol @var{addr}
15693 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
15694 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
15695 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
15696
15697 @smallexample
15698 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
15699 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
15700 @end smallexample
15701
15702 @noindent
15703 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
15704 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
15705
15706 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
15707 library containing the symbol is also printed:
15708
15709 @smallexample
15710 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
15711 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
15712 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
15713 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
15714 @end smallexample
15715
15716 @kindex whatis
15717 @item whatis[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
15718 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
15719 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
15720 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15721
15722 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
15723 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
15724 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
15725
15726 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
15727 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
15728 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
15729 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
15730 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
15731 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
15732 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
15733 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
15734 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
15735
15736 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
15737 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
15738 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
15739 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
15740 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
15741 unroll it.
15742
15743 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
15744 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
15745 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
15746
15747 @var{flags} can be used to modify how the type is displayed.
15748 Available flags are:
15749
15750 @table @code
15751 @item r
15752 Display in ``raw'' form. Normally, @value{GDBN} substitutes template
15753 parameters and typedefs defined in a class when printing the class'
15754 members. The @code{/r} flag disables this.
15755
15756 @item m
15757 Do not print methods defined in the class.
15758
15759 @item M
15760 Print methods defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
15761 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type methods}.
15762
15763 @item t
15764 Do not print typedefs defined in the class. Note that this controls
15765 whether the typedef definition itself is printed, not whether typedef
15766 names are substituted when printing other types.
15767
15768 @item T
15769 Print typedefs defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
15770 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type typedefs}.
15771 @end table
15772
15773 @kindex ptype
15774 @item ptype[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
15775 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
15776 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
15777 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
15778
15779 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
15780 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
15781 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
15782 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
15783 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
15784 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
15785 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
15786 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
15787
15788 For example, for this variable declaration:
15789
15790 @smallexample
15791 typedef double real_t;
15792 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
15793 typedef struct complex complex_t;
15794 complex_t var;
15795 real_t *real_pointer_var;
15796 @end smallexample
15797
15798 @noindent
15799 the two commands give this output:
15800
15801 @smallexample
15802 @group
15803 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
15804 type = complex_t
15805 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
15806 type = struct complex @{
15807 real_t real;
15808 double imag;
15809 @}
15810 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
15811 type = struct complex
15812 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
15813 type = struct complex
15814 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
15815 type = struct complex @{
15816 real_t real;
15817 double imag;
15818 @}
15819 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
15820 type = real_t *
15821 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
15822 type = double *
15823 @end group
15824 @end smallexample
15825
15826 @noindent
15827 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
15828 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15829
15830 @cindex incomplete type
15831 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
15832 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
15833 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
15834 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
15835 given these declarations:
15836
15837 @smallexample
15838 struct foo;
15839 struct foo *fooptr;
15840 @end smallexample
15841
15842 @noindent
15843 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
15844
15845 @smallexample
15846 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
15847 $1 = <incomplete type>
15848 @end smallexample
15849
15850 @noindent
15851 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
15852 completely specified.
15853
15854 @kindex info types
15855 @item info types @var{regexp}
15856 @itemx info types
15857 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
15858 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
15859 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
15860 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
15861 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
15862 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
15863 name is @code{value}.
15864
15865 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
15866 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
15867 lists all source files where a type is defined.
15868
15869 @kindex info type-printers
15870 @item info type-printers
15871 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled may
15872 have ``type printers'' available. When using @command{ptype} or
15873 @command{whatis}, these printers are consulted when the name of a type
15874 is needed. @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information on writing
15875 type printers.
15876
15877 @code{info type-printers} displays all the available type printers.
15878
15879 @kindex enable type-printer
15880 @kindex disable type-printer
15881 @item enable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
15882 @item disable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
15883 These commands can be used to enable or disable type printers.
15884
15885 @kindex info scope
15886 @cindex local variables
15887 @item info scope @var{location}
15888 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
15889 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
15890 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
15891 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
15892 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
15893
15894 @smallexample
15895 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
15896 Scope for command_line_handler:
15897 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
15898 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
15899 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
15900 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
15901 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
15902 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
15903 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
15904 @end smallexample
15905
15906 @noindent
15907 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
15908 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
15909 collect}.
15910
15911 @kindex info source
15912 @item info source
15913 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
15914 the function containing the current point of execution:
15915 @itemize @bullet
15916 @item
15917 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
15918 @item
15919 the directory it was compiled in,
15920 @item
15921 its length, in lines,
15922 @item
15923 which programming language it is written in,
15924 @item
15925 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
15926 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
15927 @item
15928 whether the debugging information includes information about
15929 preprocessor macros.
15930 @end itemize
15931
15932
15933 @kindex info sources
15934 @item info sources
15935 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
15936 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
15937 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
15938
15939 @kindex info functions
15940 @item info functions
15941 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
15942
15943 @item info functions @var{regexp}
15944 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
15945 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
15946 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
15947 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
15948 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
15949 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
15950 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
15951
15952 @kindex info variables
15953 @item info variables
15954 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
15955 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
15956
15957 @item info variables @var{regexp}
15958 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
15959 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
15960 @var{regexp}.
15961
15962 @kindex info classes
15963 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
15964 @item info classes
15965 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
15966 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
15967 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15968 expression.
15969
15970 @kindex info selectors
15971 @item info selectors
15972 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
15973 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
15974 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15975 expression.
15976
15977 @ignore
15978 This was never implemented.
15979 @kindex info methods
15980 @item info methods
15981 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
15982 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
15983 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
15984 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
15985 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
15986 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
15987 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
15988 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
15989 @end ignore
15990
15991 @cindex opaque data types
15992 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
15993 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
15994 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
15995 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
15996 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
15997 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
15998 another source file. The default is on.
15999
16000 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
16001 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
16002
16003 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
16004 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
16005 is printed as follows:
16006 @smallexample
16007 @{<no data fields>@}
16008 @end smallexample
16009
16010 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
16011 @item show opaque-type-resolution
16012 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
16013
16014 @kindex maint print symbols
16015 @cindex symbol dump
16016 @kindex maint print psymbols
16017 @cindex partial symbol dump
16018 @kindex maint print msymbols
16019 @cindex minimal symbol dump
16020 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
16021 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
16022 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
16023 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
16024 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
16025 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
16026 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
16027 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
16028 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
16029 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
16030 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
16031 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
16032 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
16033 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
16034 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
16035 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
16036 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
16037
16038 @kindex maint info symtabs
16039 @kindex maint info psymtabs
16040 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
16041 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
16042 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
16043 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
16044 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
16045 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
16046
16047 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
16048 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
16049 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
16050 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
16051 structure in more detail. For example:
16052
16053 @smallexample
16054 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
16055 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
16056 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
16057 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
16058 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
16059 readin no
16060 fullname (null)
16061 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
16062 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
16063 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
16064 dependencies (none)
16065 @}
16066 @}
16067 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
16068 (@value{GDBP})
16069 @end smallexample
16070 @noindent
16071 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
16072 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
16073 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
16074 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
16075 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
16076
16077 @smallexample
16078 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
16079 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
16080 line 1574.
16081 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
16082 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
16083 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
16084 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
16085 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
16086 dirname (null)
16087 fullname (null)
16088 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
16089 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
16090 debugformat DWARF 2
16091 @}
16092 @}
16093 (@value{GDBP})
16094 @end smallexample
16095 @end table
16096
16097
16098 @node Altering
16099 @chapter Altering Execution
16100
16101 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
16102 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
16103 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
16104 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
16105 program.
16106
16107 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
16108 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
16109 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
16110
16111 @menu
16112 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
16113 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
16114 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
16115 * Returning:: Returning from a function
16116 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
16117 * Patching:: Patching your program
16118 @end menu
16119
16120 @node Assignment
16121 @section Assignment to Variables
16122
16123 @cindex assignment
16124 @cindex setting variables
16125 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
16126 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
16127
16128 @smallexample
16129 print x=4
16130 @end smallexample
16131
16132 @noindent
16133 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
16134 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
16135 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
16136 information on operators in supported languages.
16137
16138 @kindex set variable
16139 @cindex variables, setting
16140 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
16141 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
16142 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
16143 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
16144 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
16145
16146 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
16147 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
16148 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
16149 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
16150 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
16151 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
16152 command @code{set width}:
16153
16154 @smallexample
16155 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
16156 type = double
16157 (@value{GDBP}) p width
16158 $4 = 13
16159 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
16160 Invalid syntax in expression.
16161 @end smallexample
16162
16163 @noindent
16164 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
16165 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
16166
16167 @smallexample
16168 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
16169 @end smallexample
16170
16171 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
16172 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
16173 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
16174 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
16175 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
16176 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
16177
16178 @smallexample
16179 @group
16180 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
16181 type = double
16182 (@value{GDBP}) p g
16183 $1 = 1
16184 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
16185 (@value{GDBP}) p g
16186 $2 = 1
16187 (@value{GDBP}) r
16188 The program being debugged has been started already.
16189 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
16190 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
16191 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
16192 Invalid bfd target.
16193 (@value{GDBP}) show g
16194 The current BFD target is "=4".
16195 @end group
16196 @end smallexample
16197
16198 @noindent
16199 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
16200 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
16201 @code{g}, use
16202
16203 @smallexample
16204 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
16205 @end smallexample
16206
16207 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
16208 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
16209 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
16210 same length or shorter.
16211 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
16212 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
16213
16214 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
16215 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
16216 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
16217 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
16218 and representation in memory), and
16219
16220 @smallexample
16221 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
16222 @end smallexample
16223
16224 @noindent
16225 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
16226
16227 @node Jumping
16228 @section Continuing at a Different Address
16229
16230 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
16231 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
16232 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
16233
16234 @table @code
16235 @kindex jump
16236 @kindex j @r{(@code{jump})}
16237 @item jump @var{linespec}
16238 @itemx j @var{linespec}
16239 @itemx jump @var{location}
16240 @itemx j @var{location}
16241 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
16242 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
16243 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
16244 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
16245 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
16246 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
16247
16248 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
16249 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
16250 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
16251 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
16252 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
16253 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
16254 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
16255 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
16256 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
16257 @end table
16258
16259 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
16260 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
16261 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
16262 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
16263 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
16264 example,
16265
16266 @smallexample
16267 set $pc = 0x485
16268 @end smallexample
16269
16270 @noindent
16271 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
16272 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
16273 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
16274
16275 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
16276 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
16277 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
16278 detail.
16279
16280 @c @group
16281 @node Signaling
16282 @section Giving your Program a Signal
16283 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
16284
16285 @table @code
16286 @kindex signal
16287 @item signal @var{signal}
16288 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
16289 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
16290 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
16291 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
16292
16293 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
16294 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
16295 a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
16296 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
16297 signal.
16298
16299 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
16300 after executing the command.
16301 @end table
16302 @c @end group
16303
16304 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
16305 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
16306 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
16307 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
16308 passes the signal directly to your program.
16309
16310
16311 @node Returning
16312 @section Returning from a Function
16313
16314 @table @code
16315 @cindex returning from a function
16316 @kindex return
16317 @item return
16318 @itemx return @var{expression}
16319 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
16320 command. If you give an
16321 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
16322 value.
16323 @end table
16324
16325 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
16326 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
16327 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
16328 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
16329
16330 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
16331 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
16332 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
16333 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
16334 of functions.
16335
16336 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
16337 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
16338 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
16339 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
16340 selected stack frame returns naturally.
16341
16342 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
16343 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
16344 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
16345 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
16346 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
16347 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
16348 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
16349 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
16350 assignment into the right register(s).
16351
16352 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
16353 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
16354 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
16355 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
16356 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
16357 into a @code{long long int}:
16358
16359 @smallexample
16360 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
16361 29 return 31;
16362 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
16363 Make func return now? (y or n) y
16364 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
16365 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
16366 (@value{GDBP})
16367 @end smallexample
16368
16369 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
16370 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
16371 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
16372 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
16373 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
16374 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
16375 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
16376 an appropriate cast explicitly:
16377
16378 @smallexample
16379 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
16380 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
16381 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
16382 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
16383 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
16384 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
16385 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
16386 (@value{GDBP})
16387 @end smallexample
16388
16389 @node Calling
16390 @section Calling Program Functions
16391
16392 @table @code
16393 @cindex calling functions
16394 @cindex inferior functions, calling
16395 @item print @var{expr}
16396 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
16397 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
16398 debugged.
16399
16400 @kindex call
16401 @item call @var{expr}
16402 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
16403 returned values.
16404
16405 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
16406 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
16407 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
16408 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
16409 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
16410 value history.
16411 @end table
16412
16413 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
16414 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
16415 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
16416 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
16417
16418 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
16419 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
16420 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
16421 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
16422 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
16423 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
16424 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
16425 in that case is controlled by the
16426 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
16427
16428 @table @code
16429 @item set unwindonsignal
16430 @kindex set unwindonsignal
16431 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
16432 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
16433 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
16434 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
16435 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
16436 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
16437 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
16438 received.
16439
16440 @item show unwindonsignal
16441 @kindex show unwindonsignal
16442 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16443 @value{GDBN}.
16444
16445 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16446 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16447 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
16448 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
16449 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
16450 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
16451 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
16452 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
16453 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
16454 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
16455
16456 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16457 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16458 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16459 @value{GDBN}.
16460
16461 @end table
16462
16463 @cindex weak alias functions
16464 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
16465 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
16466 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
16467 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
16468 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
16469 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
16470 function instead.
16471
16472 @node Patching
16473 @section Patching Programs
16474
16475 @cindex patching binaries
16476 @cindex writing into executables
16477 @cindex writing into corefiles
16478
16479 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
16480 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
16481 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
16482 patching your program's binary.
16483
16484 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
16485 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
16486 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
16487 repairs.
16488
16489 @table @code
16490 @kindex set write
16491 @item set write on
16492 @itemx set write off
16493 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
16494 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
16495 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
16496
16497 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
16498 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
16499 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
16500
16501 @item show write
16502 @kindex show write
16503 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
16504 as well as reading.
16505 @end table
16506
16507 @node GDB Files
16508 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
16509
16510 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
16511 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
16512 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
16513 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
16514
16515 @menu
16516 * Files:: Commands to specify files
16517 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
16518 * MiniDebugInfo:: Debugging information in a special section
16519 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
16520 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
16521 * Data Files:: GDB data files
16522 @end menu
16523
16524 @node Files
16525 @section Commands to Specify Files
16526
16527 @cindex symbol table
16528 @cindex core dump file
16529
16530 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
16531 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
16532 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
16533 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
16534
16535 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
16536 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
16537 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
16538 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
16539 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
16540 new files are useful.
16541
16542 @table @code
16543 @cindex executable file
16544 @kindex file
16545 @item file @var{filename}
16546 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
16547 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
16548 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
16549 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
16550 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
16551 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
16552 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
16553 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
16554
16555 @cindex unlinked object files
16556 @cindex patching object files
16557 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
16558 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
16559 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
16560 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
16561 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
16562 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
16563 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
16564 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
16565
16566 @item file
16567 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
16568 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
16569
16570 @kindex exec-file
16571 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
16572 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
16573 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
16574 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
16575 discard information on the executable file.
16576
16577 @kindex symbol-file
16578 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
16579 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
16580 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
16581 table and program to run from the same file.
16582
16583 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
16584 program's symbol table.
16585
16586 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
16587 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
16588 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
16589 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
16590 @value{GDBN}.
16591
16592 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
16593 executing it once.
16594
16595 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
16596 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
16597 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
16598 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
16599 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
16600 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
16601 optimized code.
16602
16603 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
16604 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
16605 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
16606 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
16607 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
16608
16609 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
16610 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
16611 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
16612 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
16613 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
16614 Warnings and Messages}.)
16615
16616 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
16617 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
16618 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
16619 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
16620 in stabs format.
16621
16622 @kindex readnow
16623 @cindex reading symbols immediately
16624 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
16625 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16626 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16627 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
16628 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
16629 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
16630 entire symbol table available.
16631
16632 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
16633 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
16634 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
16635 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
16636 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
16637 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
16638 @c files.
16639
16640 @kindex core-file
16641 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
16642 @itemx core
16643 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
16644 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
16645 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
16646 executable file itself for other parts.
16647
16648 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
16649 to be used.
16650
16651 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
16652 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
16653 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
16654 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
16655 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
16656
16657 @kindex add-symbol-file
16658 @cindex dynamic linking
16659 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
16660 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
16661 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
16662 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
16663 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
16664 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
16665 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
16666 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
16667 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
16668 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
16669 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
16670 @var{address} as an expression.
16671
16672 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
16673 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
16674 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
16675 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
16676 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
16677
16678 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
16679 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
16680 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
16681 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
16682 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
16683 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
16684 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
16685 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
16686 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
16687
16688 @itemize @bullet
16689 @item
16690 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
16691 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
16692 @item
16693 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
16694 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
16695 @item
16696 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
16697 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
16698 @end itemize
16699
16700 @noindent
16701 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
16702 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
16703 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
16704 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
16705 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
16706 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
16707 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
16708 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
16709 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
16710 way.
16711
16712 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
16713
16714 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
16715 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
16716 @cindex load symbols from memory
16717 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
16718 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
16719 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
16720 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
16721 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
16722 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
16723 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
16724 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
16725 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
16726
16727 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
16728 @kindex assf
16729 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
16730 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
16731 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
16732 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
16733 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
16734 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
16735 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
16736 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
16737 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
16738 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
16739
16740 @kindex section
16741 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
16742 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
16743 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
16744 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
16745 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
16746 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
16747 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
16748 their addresses.
16749
16750 @kindex info files
16751 @kindex info target
16752 @item info files
16753 @itemx info target
16754 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
16755 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
16756 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
16757 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
16758 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
16759 current ones.
16760
16761 @kindex maint info sections
16762 @item maint info sections
16763 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
16764 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
16765 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
16766 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
16767 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
16768 may be arbitrarily combined):
16769
16770 @table @code
16771 @item ALLOBJ
16772 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
16773 @item @var{sections}
16774 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
16775 @item @var{section-flags}
16776 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
16777 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
16778 @table @code
16779 @item ALLOC
16780 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
16781 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
16782 @item LOAD
16783 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
16784 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
16785 @item RELOC
16786 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
16787 @item READONLY
16788 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
16789 @item CODE
16790 Section contains executable code only.
16791 @item DATA
16792 Section contains data only (no executable code).
16793 @item ROM
16794 Section will reside in ROM.
16795 @item CONSTRUCTOR
16796 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
16797 @item HAS_CONTENTS
16798 Section is not empty.
16799 @item NEVER_LOAD
16800 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
16801 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
16802 A notification to the linker that the section contains
16803 COFF shared library information.
16804 @item IS_COMMON
16805 Section contains common symbols.
16806 @end table
16807 @end table
16808 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
16809 @cindex read-only sections
16810 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
16811 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
16812 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
16813 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
16814 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
16815 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
16816 enhancement to debugging performance.
16817
16818 The default is off.
16819
16820 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
16821 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
16822 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
16823 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
16824
16825 @item show trust-readonly-sections
16826 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
16827 @end table
16828
16829 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
16830 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
16831 name and remembers it that way.
16832
16833 @cindex shared libraries
16834 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
16835 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
16836 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
16837
16838 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
16839 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
16840
16841 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
16842 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
16843 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
16844 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
16845 debugging a core file).
16846
16847 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
16848 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
16849
16850 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
16851 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
16852 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
16853
16854 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
16855 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
16856 particularly large or there are many of them.
16857
16858 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
16859 commands:
16860
16861 @table @code
16862 @kindex set auto-solib-add
16863 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
16864 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
16865 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
16866 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
16867 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
16868 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
16869 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
16870
16871 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
16872 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
16873 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
16874 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
16875 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
16876 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
16877 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
16878 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
16879 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
16880
16881 @kindex show auto-solib-add
16882 @item show auto-solib-add
16883 Display the current autoloading mode.
16884 @end table
16885
16886 @cindex load shared library
16887 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
16888 command:
16889
16890 @table @code
16891 @kindex info sharedlibrary
16892 @kindex info share
16893 @item info share @var{regex}
16894 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16895 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
16896 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
16897 all shared libraries that are loaded.
16898
16899 @kindex sharedlibrary
16900 @kindex share
16901 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16902 @itemx share @var{regex}
16903 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
16904 Unix regular expression.
16905 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
16906 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
16907 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
16908 loaded.
16909
16910 @item nosharedlibrary
16911 @kindex nosharedlibrary
16912 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
16913 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
16914 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
16915 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
16916 discarded.
16917 @end table
16918
16919 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
16920 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
16921 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
16922 Catchpoints}).
16923
16924 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
16925 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
16926 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
16927 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
16928
16929 @table @code
16930 @item set stop-on-solib-events
16931 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
16932 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
16933 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
16934 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
16935 shared library.
16936
16937 @item show stop-on-solib-events
16938 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
16939 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
16940 library events happen.
16941 @end table
16942
16943 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
16944 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
16945 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
16946 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
16947 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
16948 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
16949 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
16950 not.
16951
16952 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
16953 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
16954 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
16955 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
16956 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
16957
16958 @table @code
16959 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
16960 @cindex system root, alternate
16961 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
16962 @kindex set sysroot
16963 @item set sysroot @var{path}
16964 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
16965 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
16966 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
16967 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
16968 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
16969 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
16970 under @var{path}.
16971
16972 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
16973 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
16974 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
16975 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
16976 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
16977 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
16978 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
16979 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
16980 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
16981
16982 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
16983 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
16984 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
16985 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
16986 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
16987
16988 @smallexample
16989 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
16990 @end smallexample
16991
16992 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
16993 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
16994 system:
16995
16996 @smallexample
16997 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
16998 @end smallexample
16999
17000 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
17001 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
17002 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
17003 colons:
17004
17005 @smallexample
17006 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
17007 @end smallexample
17008
17009 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
17010 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
17011 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
17012 @samp{z}):
17013
17014 @smallexample
17015 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
17016 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
17017 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
17018 @end smallexample
17019
17020 @noindent
17021 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
17022 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
17023 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
17024
17025 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
17026 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
17027
17028 @smallexample
17029 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
17030 @end smallexample
17031
17032 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
17033 if you don't want or need to.
17034
17035 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
17036 sysroot}.
17037
17038 @cindex default system root
17039 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
17040 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
17041 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
17042 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
17043 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
17044 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
17045 location.
17046
17047 @kindex show sysroot
17048 @item show sysroot
17049 Display the current shared library prefix.
17050
17051 @kindex set solib-search-path
17052 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
17053 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
17054 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
17055 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
17056 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
17057 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
17058 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
17059 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
17060 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
17061 of shared library symbols.
17062
17063 @kindex show solib-search-path
17064 @item show solib-search-path
17065 Display the current shared library search path.
17066
17067 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
17068 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
17069 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
17070 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
17071 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
17072
17073 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
17074 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
17075 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
17076 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
17077 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
17078 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
17079 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
17080 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
17081 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
17082 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
17083 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
17084 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
17085 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
17086 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
17087 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
17088 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
17089 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
17090 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
17091 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
17092 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
17093 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
17094 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
17095
17096 @table @code
17097 @item unix
17098 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
17099 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
17100 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
17101 the forward slash.
17102
17103 @item dos-based
17104 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
17105 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
17106 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
17107 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
17108 considered directory separators.
17109
17110 @item auto
17111 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
17112 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
17113 This is the default.
17114 @end table
17115 @end table
17116
17117 @cindex file name canonicalization
17118 @cindex base name differences
17119 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
17120 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
17121 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
17122 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
17123 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
17124 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
17125 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
17126 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
17127 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
17128 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
17129 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
17130 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
17131 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
17132 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
17133 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
17134
17135 @table @code
17136 @item set basenames-may-differ
17137 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
17138 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
17139
17140 @item show basenames-may-differ
17141 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
17142 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
17143 @end table
17144
17145 @node Separate Debug Files
17146 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
17147 @cindex separate debugging information files
17148 @cindex debugging information in separate files
17149 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
17150 @cindex debugging information directory, global
17151 @cindex global debugging information directories
17152 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
17153 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
17154
17155 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
17156 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
17157 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
17158 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
17159 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
17160 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
17161 install only when they need to debug a problem.
17162
17163 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
17164 file:
17165
17166 @itemize @bullet
17167 @item
17168 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
17169 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
17170 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
17171 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
17172 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
17173 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
17174 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
17175 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
17176
17177 @item
17178 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
17179 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
17180 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
17181 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
17182 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
17183 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
17184 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
17185 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
17186 below.
17187 @end itemize
17188
17189 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
17190 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
17191
17192 @itemize @bullet
17193 @item
17194 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
17195 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
17196 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
17197 directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
17198 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
17199
17200 @item
17201 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
17202 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
17203 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
17204 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
17205 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
17206 hex characters, not 10.)
17207 @end itemize
17208
17209 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
17210 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
17211 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
17212 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
17213 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
17214 debug information files, in the indicated order:
17215
17216 @itemize @minus
17217 @item
17218 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
17219 @item
17220 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
17221 @item
17222 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
17223 @item
17224 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
17225 @end itemize
17226
17227 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
17228 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
17229 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
17230 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
17231 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
17232
17233 @table @code
17234
17235 @kindex set debug-file-directory
17236 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
17237 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
17238 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
17239 concatenating them by a path separator.
17240
17241 @kindex show debug-file-directory
17242 @item show debug-file-directory
17243 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
17244 information files.
17245
17246 @end table
17247
17248 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
17249 @cindex debug link sections
17250 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
17251 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
17252
17253 @itemize
17254 @item
17255 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
17256 a zero byte,
17257 @item
17258 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
17259 boundary within the section, and
17260 @item
17261 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
17262 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
17263 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
17264 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
17265 @end itemize
17266
17267 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
17268 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
17269 described above.
17270
17271 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
17272 @cindex build ID sections
17273 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
17274 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
17275 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
17276 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
17277 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
17278 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
17279 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
17280 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
17281 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
17282
17283 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
17284 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
17285 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
17286 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
17287 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
17288 in an ordinary executable.
17289
17290 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
17291 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
17292 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
17293 following commands:
17294
17295 @smallexample
17296 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
17297 @kbd{strip -g foo}
17298 @end smallexample
17299
17300 @noindent
17301 These commands remove the debugging
17302 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
17303 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
17304 two files:
17305
17306 @itemize @bullet
17307 @item
17308 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
17309 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
17310
17311 @smallexample
17312 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
17313 @end smallexample
17314
17315 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
17316 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
17317 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
17318 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
17319
17320 @item
17321 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
17322 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
17323 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
17324 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
17325 @end itemize
17326
17327 @noindent
17328
17329 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
17330 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
17331 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
17332
17333 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
17334 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
17335 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
17336 @c different ways!
17337 @ifhtml
17338 @display
17339 @html
17340 <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>
17341 + <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
17342 @end html
17343 @end display
17344 @end ifhtml
17345 @ifnothtml
17346 @display
17347 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
17348 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
17349 @end display
17350 @end ifnothtml
17351
17352 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
17353 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
17354 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
17355 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
17356 CRC.
17357
17358 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
17359 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
17360 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
17361 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
17362 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
17363 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
17364
17365 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
17366 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
17367 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
17368 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
17369 @code{0xffffffff}.
17370
17371 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
17372 @smallexample
17373 unsigned long
17374 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
17375 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
17376 @{
17377 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
17378 @{
17379 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
17380 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
17381 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
17382 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
17383 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
17384 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
17385 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
17386 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
17387 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
17388 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
17389 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
17390 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
17391 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
17392 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
17393 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
17394 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
17395 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
17396 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
17397 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
17398 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
17399 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
17400 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
17401 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
17402 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
17403 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
17404 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
17405 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
17406 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
17407 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
17408 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
17409 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
17410 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
17411 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
17412 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
17413 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
17414 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
17415 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
17416 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
17417 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
17418 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
17419 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
17420 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
17421 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
17422 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
17423 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
17424 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
17425 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
17426 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
17427 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
17428 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
17429 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
17430 0x2d02ef8d
17431 @};
17432 unsigned char *end;
17433
17434 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
17435 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
17436 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
17437 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
17438 @}
17439 @end smallexample
17440
17441 @noindent
17442 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
17443
17444 @node MiniDebugInfo
17445 @section Debugging information in a special section
17446 @cindex separate debug sections
17447 @cindex @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section
17448
17449 Some systems ship pre-built executables and libraries that have a
17450 special @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section. This feature is called
17451 @dfn{MiniDebugInfo}. This section holds an LZMA-compressed object and
17452 is used to supply extra symbols for backtraces.
17453
17454 The intent of this section is to provide extra minimal debugging
17455 information for use in simple backtraces. It is not intended to be a
17456 replacement for full separate debugging information (@pxref{Separate
17457 Debug Files}). The example below shows the intended use; however,
17458 @value{GDBN} does not currently put restrictions on what sort of
17459 debugging information might be included in the section.
17460
17461 @value{GDBN} has support for this extension. If the section exists,
17462 then it is used provided that no other source of debugging information
17463 can be found, and that @value{GDBN} was configured with LZMA support.
17464
17465 This section can be easily created using @command{objcopy} and other
17466 standard utilities:
17467
17468 @smallexample
17469 # Extract the dynamic symbols from the main binary, there is no need
17470 # to also have these in the normal symbol table.
17471 nm -D @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
17472 | awk '@{ print $1 @}' | sort > dynsyms
17473
17474 # Extract all the text (i.e. function) symbols from the debuginfo.
17475 # (Note that we actually also accept "D" symbols, for the benefit
17476 # of platforms like PowerPC64 that use function descriptors.)
17477 nm @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
17478 | awk '@{ if ($2 == "T" || $2 == "t" || $2 == "D") print $1 @}' \
17479 | sort > funcsyms
17480
17481 # Keep all the function symbols not already in the dynamic symbol
17482 # table.
17483 comm -13 dynsyms funcsyms > keep_symbols
17484
17485 # Separate full debug info into debug binary.
17486 objcopy --only-keep-debug @var{binary} debug
17487
17488 # Copy the full debuginfo, keeping only a minimal set of symbols and
17489 # removing some unnecessary sections.
17490 objcopy -S --remove-section .gdb_index --remove-section .comment \
17491 --keep-symbols=keep_symbols debug mini_debuginfo
17492
17493 # Drop the full debug info from the original binary.
17494 strip --strip-all -R .comment @var{binary}
17495
17496 # Inject the compressed data into the .gnu_debugdata section of the
17497 # original binary.
17498 xz mini_debuginfo
17499 objcopy --add-section .gnu_debugdata=mini_debuginfo.xz @var{binary}
17500 @end smallexample
17501
17502 @node Index Files
17503 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
17504 @cindex index files
17505 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
17506
17507 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
17508 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
17509 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
17510 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
17511 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
17512 startup.
17513
17514 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
17515 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
17516 using @command{objcopy}.
17517
17518 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
17519
17520 @table @code
17521 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
17522 @kindex save gdb-index
17523 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
17524 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
17525 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
17526 @var{directory}.
17527 @end table
17528
17529 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
17530 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
17531
17532 @smallexample
17533 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
17534 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
17535 @end smallexample
17536
17537 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
17538 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
17539 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
17540 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
17541 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
17542 The default is @code{off}.
17543 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
17544 @xref{Index Section Format}.
17545
17546 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
17547 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
17548
17549 @smallexample
17550 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
17551 @end smallexample
17552
17553 Instead you must do, for example,
17554
17555 @smallexample
17556 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
17557 @end smallexample
17558
17559 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
17560 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
17561 currently work for programs using Ada.
17562
17563 @node Symbol Errors
17564 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
17565
17566 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
17567 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
17568 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
17569 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
17570 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
17571 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
17572 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
17573 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
17574 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
17575 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
17576 Messages}).
17577
17578 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
17579
17580 @table @code
17581 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
17582
17583 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
17584 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
17585 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
17586 in its outer scope blocks.
17587
17588 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
17589 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
17590 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
17591 function.
17592
17593 @item block at @var{address} out of order
17594
17595 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
17596 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
17597 do so.
17598
17599 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
17600 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
17601 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
17602 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
17603 Messages}.)
17604
17605 @item bad block start address patched
17606
17607 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
17608 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
17609 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
17610
17611 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
17612 starting on the previous source line.
17613
17614 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
17615
17616 @cindex foo
17617 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
17618 larger than the size of the string table.
17619
17620 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
17621 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
17622 with this name.
17623
17624 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
17625
17626 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
17627 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
17628 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
17629
17630 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
17631 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
17632 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
17633 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
17634 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
17635 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
17636
17637 @item stub type has NULL name
17638
17639 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
17640
17641 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
17642 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
17643 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
17644 it.
17645
17646 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
17647
17648 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
17649
17650 @end table
17651
17652 @node Data Files
17653 @section GDB Data Files
17654
17655 @cindex prefix for data files
17656 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
17657 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
17658
17659 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
17660 is currently using.
17661
17662 @table @code
17663 @kindex set data-directory
17664 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
17665 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
17666 to @var{directory}.
17667
17668 @kindex show data-directory
17669 @item show data-directory
17670 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
17671 @end table
17672
17673 @cindex default data directory
17674 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
17675 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
17676 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
17677 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
17678 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
17679 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
17680 location.
17681
17682 The data directory may also be specified with the
17683 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
17684 @xref{Mode Options}.
17685
17686 @node Targets
17687 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
17688
17689 @cindex debugging target
17690 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
17691
17692 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
17693 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
17694 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
17695 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
17696 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
17697 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
17698 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
17699 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
17700
17701 @cindex target architecture
17702 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
17703 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
17704 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
17705 command.
17706
17707 @table @code
17708 @kindex set architecture
17709 @kindex show architecture
17710 @item set architecture @var{arch}
17711 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
17712 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
17713 supported architectures.
17714
17715 @item show architecture
17716 Show the current target architecture.
17717
17718 @item set processor
17719 @itemx processor
17720 @kindex set processor
17721 @kindex show processor
17722 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
17723 and @code{show architecture}.
17724 @end table
17725
17726 @menu
17727 * Active Targets:: Active targets
17728 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
17729 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
17730 @end menu
17731
17732 @node Active Targets
17733 @section Active Targets
17734
17735 @cindex stacking targets
17736 @cindex active targets
17737 @cindex multiple targets
17738
17739 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
17740 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
17741 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
17742 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
17743 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
17744 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
17745 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
17746 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
17747 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
17748
17749 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
17750 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
17751 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
17752 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
17753
17754 @node Target Commands
17755 @section Commands for Managing Targets
17756
17757 @table @code
17758 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
17759 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
17760 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
17761 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
17762 protocol of the target machine.
17763
17764 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
17765 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
17766 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
17767
17768 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
17769 after executing the command.
17770
17771 @kindex help target
17772 @item help target
17773 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
17774 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
17775 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
17776
17777 @item help target @var{name}
17778 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
17779 select it.
17780
17781 @kindex set gnutarget
17782 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
17783 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
17784 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
17785 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
17786 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
17787 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
17788
17789 @quotation
17790 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
17791 you must know the actual BFD name.
17792 @end quotation
17793
17794 @noindent
17795 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
17796
17797 @kindex show gnutarget
17798 @item show gnutarget
17799 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
17800 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
17801 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
17802 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BFD target is "auto"}.
17803 @end table
17804
17805 @cindex common targets
17806 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
17807 configuration):
17808
17809 @table @code
17810 @kindex target
17811 @item target exec @var{program}
17812 @cindex executable file target
17813 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
17814 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
17815
17816 @item target core @var{filename}
17817 @cindex core dump file target
17818 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
17819 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
17820
17821 @item target remote @var{medium}
17822 @cindex remote target
17823 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
17824 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
17825 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
17826
17827 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
17828 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
17829
17830 @smallexample
17831 target remote /dev/ttya
17832 @end smallexample
17833
17834 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
17835 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
17836 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
17837 clobbered by the download.
17838
17839 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17840 @cindex built-in simulator target
17841 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
17842 In general,
17843 @smallexample
17844 target sim
17845 load
17846 run
17847 @end smallexample
17848 @noindent
17849 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
17850 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
17851 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
17852 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
17853 Processors}.
17854
17855 @end table
17856
17857 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
17858 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
17859
17860 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
17861 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
17862 various aspects of this process.
17863
17864 @table @code
17865
17866 @item set hash
17867 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17868 @cindex hash mark while downloading
17869 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
17870 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
17871 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
17872 monitor.
17873
17874 @item show hash
17875 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17876 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
17877
17878 @item set debug monitor
17879 @kindex set debug monitor
17880 @cindex display remote monitor communications
17881 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
17882 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17883
17884 @item show debug monitor
17885 @kindex show debug monitor
17886 Show the current status of displaying communications between
17887 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17888 @end table
17889
17890 @table @code
17891
17892 @kindex load @var{filename}
17893 @item load @var{filename}
17894 @anchor{load}
17895 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
17896 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
17897 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
17898 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
17899 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
17900 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
17901
17902 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
17903 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
17904 target is @dots{}}''
17905
17906 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
17907 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
17908 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
17909 specifies a fixed address.
17910 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
17911
17912 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
17913 load programs into flash memory.
17914
17915 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
17916 @end table
17917
17918 @node Byte Order
17919 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
17920
17921 @cindex choosing target byte order
17922 @cindex target byte order
17923
17924 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
17925 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
17926 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
17927 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
17928 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
17929 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
17930
17931 @table @code
17932 @kindex set endian
17933 @item set endian big
17934 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
17935
17936 @item set endian little
17937 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
17938
17939 @item set endian auto
17940 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
17941 executable.
17942
17943 @item show endian
17944 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
17945
17946 @end table
17947
17948 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
17949 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
17950 target system.
17951
17952
17953 @node Remote Debugging
17954 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
17955 @cindex remote debugging
17956
17957 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
17958 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
17959 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
17960 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
17961 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
17962
17963 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
17964 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
17965 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
17966 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
17967 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
17968 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
17969
17970 Other remote targets may be available in your
17971 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
17972
17973 @menu
17974 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
17975 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
17976 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
17977 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
17978 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
17979 @end menu
17980
17981 @node Connecting
17982 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
17983
17984 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
17985 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
17986 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
17987 program as the first argument.
17988
17989 @cindex @code{target remote}
17990 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
17991 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
17992 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
17993 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
17994 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
17995 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
17996
17997 @table @code
17998
17999 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
18000 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
18001 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
18002 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
18003
18004 @smallexample
18005 target remote /dev/ttyb
18006 @end smallexample
18007
18008 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
18009 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
18010 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
18011 @code{target} command.
18012
18013 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
18014 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
18015 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
18016 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
18017 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
18018 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
18019 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
18020 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
18021 target.
18022
18023 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
18024 @code{manyfarms}:
18025
18026 @smallexample
18027 target remote manyfarms:2828
18028 @end smallexample
18029
18030 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
18031 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
18032 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
18033 port 1234 on your local machine:
18034
18035 @smallexample
18036 target remote :1234
18037 @end smallexample
18038 @noindent
18039
18040 Note that the colon is still required here.
18041
18042 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
18043 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
18044 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
18045 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
18046
18047 @smallexample
18048 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
18049 @end smallexample
18050
18051 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
18052 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
18053 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
18054 cause havoc with your debugging session.
18055
18056 @item target remote | @var{command}
18057 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
18058 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
18059 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
18060 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
18061 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
18062 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
18063 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
18064 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
18065
18066 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
18067 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
18068 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
18069
18070 @end table
18071
18072 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
18073 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
18074 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
18075 need to use @kbd{run}.
18076
18077 @cindex interrupting remote programs
18078 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
18079 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
18080 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
18081 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
18082 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
18083 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
18084
18085 @smallexample
18086 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
18087 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
18088 @end smallexample
18089
18090 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
18091 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
18092 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
18093 goes back to waiting.
18094
18095 @table @code
18096 @kindex detach (remote)
18097 @item detach
18098 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
18099 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
18100 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
18101 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
18102 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
18103
18104 @kindex disconnect
18105 @item disconnect
18106 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
18107 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
18108 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
18109 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
18110 another target.
18111
18112 @cindex send command to remote monitor
18113 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
18114 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
18115 @kindex monitor
18116 @item monitor @var{cmd}
18117 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
18118 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
18119 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
18120 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
18121 and implement.
18122 @end table
18123
18124 @node File Transfer
18125 @section Sending files to a remote system
18126 @cindex remote target, file transfer
18127 @cindex file transfer
18128 @cindex sending files to remote systems
18129
18130 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
18131 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
18132 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
18133 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
18134 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
18135 the only way to upload or download files.
18136
18137 Not all remote targets support these commands.
18138
18139 @table @code
18140 @kindex remote put
18141 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
18142 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
18143 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
18144
18145 @kindex remote get
18146 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
18147 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
18148 on the host system.
18149
18150 @kindex remote delete
18151 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
18152 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
18153
18154 @end table
18155
18156 @node Server
18157 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
18158
18159 @kindex gdbserver
18160 @cindex remote connection without stubs
18161 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
18162 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
18163 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
18164
18165 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
18166 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
18167 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
18168 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
18169 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
18170 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
18171 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
18172 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
18173 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
18174 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
18175 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
18176 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
18177 choice for debugging.
18178
18179 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
18180 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
18181 protocol.
18182
18183 @quotation
18184 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
18185 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
18186 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
18187 target system with the same privileges as the user running
18188 @code{gdbserver}.
18189 @end quotation
18190
18191 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
18192 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
18193 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
18194
18195 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
18196 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
18197 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
18198 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
18199 system does all the symbol handling.
18200
18201 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
18202 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
18203 syntax is:
18204
18205 @smallexample
18206 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
18207 @end smallexample
18208
18209 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
18210 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
18211 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
18212 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
18213 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
18214 @file{/dev/com1}:
18215
18216 @smallexample
18217 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
18218 @end smallexample
18219
18220 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
18221 with it.
18222
18223 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
18224
18225 @smallexample
18226 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
18227 @end smallexample
18228
18229 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
18230 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
18231 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
18232 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
18233 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
18234 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
18235 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
18236 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
18237 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
18238 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
18239 @code{target remote} command.
18240
18241 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
18242 with ssh:
18243
18244 @smallexample
18245 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
18246 @end smallexample
18247
18248 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
18249 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
18250 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
18251 You could elide it if you want to.
18252
18253 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
18254 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
18255 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
18256 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
18257
18258 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
18259 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
18260 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
18261
18262 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
18263 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
18264
18265 @smallexample
18266 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
18267 @end smallexample
18268
18269 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
18270 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
18271
18272 @pindex pidof
18273 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
18274 @code{pidof} utility:
18275
18276 @smallexample
18277 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
18278 @end smallexample
18279
18280 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
18281 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
18282 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
18283
18284 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
18285 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
18286 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
18287
18288 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
18289 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
18290 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
18291 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
18292
18293 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
18294 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
18295 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
18296 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
18297 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
18298 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
18299 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
18300 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
18301 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
18302
18303 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
18304 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
18305 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
18306 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
18307 the program you want to debug.
18308
18309 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
18310 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
18311 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
18312 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
18313 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
18314 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
18315
18316 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
18317
18318 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
18319
18320 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
18321 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
18322 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
18323 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
18324 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
18325 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
18326 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
18327 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
18328
18329 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
18330 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
18331 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
18332
18333 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
18334 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
18335 subsequent connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
18336 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
18337 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
18338 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
18339 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
18340 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
18341 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
18342 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
18343 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
18344 instance closes its port after the first connection.
18345
18346 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
18347
18348 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
18349 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
18350 status information about the debugging process.
18351 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
18352 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
18353 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
18354 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
18355
18356 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
18357 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
18358 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
18359 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
18360 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
18361
18362 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
18363 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
18364 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
18365 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
18366
18367 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
18368 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
18369 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
18370 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
18371
18372 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
18373 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
18374 environment:
18375
18376 @smallexample
18377 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
18378 @end smallexample
18379
18380 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
18381
18382 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
18383
18384 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
18385 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
18386 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
18387 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
18388
18389 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
18390 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
18391 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
18392 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
18393 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
18394 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
18395 programs.
18396
18397 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
18398 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
18399 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
18400 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
18401 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
18402 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
18403 already on the target.
18404
18405 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
18406 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
18407 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
18408
18409 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
18410 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
18411 Here are the available commands.
18412
18413 @table @code
18414 @item monitor help
18415 List the available monitor commands.
18416
18417 @item monitor set debug 0
18418 @itemx monitor set debug 1
18419 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
18420
18421 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
18422 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
18423 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
18424 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
18425
18426 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
18427 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
18428 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
18429 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
18430 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
18431 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
18432
18433 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
18434 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
18435
18436 @item monitor exit
18437 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
18438 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
18439 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
18440 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
18441 of a multi-process mode debug session.
18442
18443 @end table
18444
18445 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
18446 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
18447
18448 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
18449 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
18450
18451 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
18452 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
18453 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
18454 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
18455 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
18456 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
18457 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
18458 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
18459 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
18460 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
18461 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
18462 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
18463
18464 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
18465
18466 @table @code
18467 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
18468
18469 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
18470 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
18471 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
18472
18473 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
18474
18475 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
18476 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
18477 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
18478 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
18479 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
18480 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
18481
18482 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
18483
18484 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
18485 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
18486 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
18487 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
18488 command for that. For example:
18489
18490 @smallexample
18491 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
18492 @end smallexample
18493
18494 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
18495 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
18496 @end table
18497
18498 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
18499 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
18500 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
18501 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
18502 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
18503 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
18504 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
18505 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
18506 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
18507 @code{gdbserver} like so:
18508
18509 @smallexample
18510 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
18511 @end smallexample
18512
18513 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
18514
18515 @smallexample
18516 $ gdb myprogram
18517 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
18518 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
18519 (@value{GDBP}) b main
18520 (@value{GDBP}) continue
18521 @end smallexample
18522
18523 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
18524 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
18525 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
18526 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
18527 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
18528 tracing.
18529
18530 @node Remote Configuration
18531 @section Remote Configuration
18532
18533 @kindex set remote
18534 @kindex show remote
18535 This section documents the configuration options available when
18536 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
18537 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
18538 system-call-allowed}.
18539
18540 @table @code
18541 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
18542 @cindex address size for remote targets
18543 @cindex bits in remote address
18544 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
18545 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
18546 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
18547 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
18548
18549 @item show remoteaddresssize
18550 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
18551
18552 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
18553 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
18554 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
18555 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
18556 remote targets.
18557
18558 @item show remotebaud
18559 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
18560
18561 @item set remotebreak
18562 @cindex interrupt remote programs
18563 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
18564 @anchor{set remotebreak}
18565 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
18566 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
18567 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
18568 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
18569 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
18570
18571 @item show remotebreak
18572 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
18573 interrupt the remote program.
18574
18575 @item set remoteflow on
18576 @itemx set remoteflow off
18577 @kindex set remoteflow
18578 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
18579 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
18580
18581 @item show remoteflow
18582 @kindex show remoteflow
18583 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
18584
18585 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
18586 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
18587 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
18588 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
18589 @code{ascii}.
18590
18591 @item show remotelogbase
18592 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
18593 protocol.
18594
18595 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
18596 @cindex record serial communications on file
18597 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
18598 default is not to record at all.
18599
18600 @item show remotelogfile.
18601 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
18602 serial communications.
18603
18604 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
18605 @cindex timeout for serial communications
18606 @cindex remote timeout
18607 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
18608 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
18609
18610 @item show remotetimeout
18611 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
18612 responses.
18613
18614 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
18615 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
18616 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
18617 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
18618 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
18619 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
18620 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
18621 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
18622
18623 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
18624 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
18625 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
18626 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
18627 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
18628 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
18629 as unlimited.
18630
18631 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
18632 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
18633 a remote hardware watchpoint.
18634
18635 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
18636 @itemx show remote exec-file
18637 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
18638 @cindex executable file, for remote target
18639 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
18640 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
18641 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
18642 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
18643
18644 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
18645 @cindex interrupt remote programs
18646 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
18647 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
18648 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
18649 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
18650 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
18651 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
18652 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
18653 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
18654
18655 @item show interrupt-sequence
18656 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
18657 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
18658 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
18659 also known as Magic SysRq g.
18660
18661 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
18662 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
18663 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
18664 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
18665 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
18666 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
18667
18668 @item show interrupt-on-connect
18669 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
18670 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
18671
18672 @kindex set tcp
18673 @kindex show tcp
18674 @item set tcp auto-retry on
18675 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
18676 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
18677 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
18678 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
18679 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
18680 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
18681 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
18682 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
18683
18684 @item set tcp auto-retry off
18685 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
18686
18687 @item show tcp auto-retry
18688 Show the current auto-retry setting.
18689
18690 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
18691 @itemx set tcp connect-timeout unlimited
18692 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
18693 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
18694 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
18695 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
18696 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
18697 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
18698 value. If @var{seconds} is @code{unlimited}, there is no timeout and
18699 @value{GDBN} will keep attempting to establish a connection forever,
18700 unless interrupted with @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The default is 15 seconds.
18701
18702 @item show tcp connect-timeout
18703 Show the current connection timeout setting.
18704 @end table
18705
18706 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
18707 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
18708 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
18709 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
18710 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
18711 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
18712 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
18713 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
18714 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
18715
18716 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
18717 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
18718 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
18719 @value{GDBN} developers.
18720
18721 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
18722 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
18723 are:
18724
18725 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
18726 @item Command Name
18727 @tab Remote Packet
18728 @tab Related Features
18729
18730 @item @code{fetch-register}
18731 @tab @code{p}
18732 @tab @code{info registers}
18733
18734 @item @code{set-register}
18735 @tab @code{P}
18736 @tab @code{set}
18737
18738 @item @code{binary-download}
18739 @tab @code{X}
18740 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
18741
18742 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
18743 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
18744 @tab @code{info auxv}
18745
18746 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
18747 @tab @code{qSymbol}
18748 @tab Detecting multiple threads
18749
18750 @item @code{attach}
18751 @tab @code{vAttach}
18752 @tab @code{attach}
18753
18754 @item @code{verbose-resume}
18755 @tab @code{vCont}
18756 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
18757
18758 @item @code{run}
18759 @tab @code{vRun}
18760 @tab @code{run}
18761
18762 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
18763 @tab @code{Z0}
18764 @tab @code{break}
18765
18766 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
18767 @tab @code{Z1}
18768 @tab @code{hbreak}
18769
18770 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
18771 @tab @code{Z2}
18772 @tab @code{watch}
18773
18774 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
18775 @tab @code{Z3}
18776 @tab @code{rwatch}
18777
18778 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
18779 @tab @code{Z4}
18780 @tab @code{awatch}
18781
18782 @item @code{target-features}
18783 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
18784 @tab @code{set architecture}
18785
18786 @item @code{library-info}
18787 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
18788 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
18789
18790 @item @code{memory-map}
18791 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
18792 @tab @code{info mem}
18793
18794 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
18795 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
18796 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
18797
18798 @item @code{read-spu-object}
18799 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
18800 @tab @code{info spu}
18801
18802 @item @code{write-spu-object}
18803 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
18804 @tab @code{info spu}
18805
18806 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
18807 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
18808 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
18809
18810 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
18811 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
18812 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
18813
18814 @item @code{threads}
18815 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
18816 @tab @code{info threads}
18817
18818 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
18819 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
18820 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
18821
18822 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
18823 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
18824 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
18825
18826 @item @code{search-memory}
18827 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
18828 @tab @code{find}
18829
18830 @item @code{supported-packets}
18831 @tab @code{qSupported}
18832 @tab Remote communications parameters
18833
18834 @item @code{pass-signals}
18835 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
18836 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18837
18838 @item @code{program-signals}
18839 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
18840 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18841
18842 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
18843 @tab @code{vFile:close}
18844 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18845
18846 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
18847 @tab @code{vFile:open}
18848 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18849
18850 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
18851 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
18852 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18853
18854 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
18855 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
18856 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18857
18858 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
18859 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
18860 @tab @code{remote delete}
18861
18862 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
18863 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
18864 @tab Host I/O
18865
18866 @item @code{noack-packet}
18867 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
18868 @tab Packet acknowledgment
18869
18870 @item @code{osdata}
18871 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
18872 @tab @code{info os}
18873
18874 @item @code{query-attached}
18875 @tab @code{qAttached}
18876 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
18877
18878 @item @code{trace-buffer-size}
18879 @tab @code{QTBuffer:size}
18880 @tab @code{set trace-buffer-size}
18881
18882 @item @code{trace-status}
18883 @tab @code{qTStatus}
18884 @tab @code{tstatus}
18885
18886 @item @code{traceframe-info}
18887 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
18888 @tab Traceframe info
18889
18890 @item @code{install-in-trace}
18891 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
18892 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
18893
18894 @item @code{disable-randomization}
18895 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
18896 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
18897
18898 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
18899 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
18900 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
18901 @end multitable
18902
18903 @node Remote Stub
18904 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
18905
18906 @cindex debugging stub, example
18907 @cindex remote stub, example
18908 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
18909 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
18910 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
18911 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
18912 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
18913 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
18914 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
18915 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
18916
18917 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
18918 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
18919 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
18920 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
18921 program, you need:
18922
18923 @enumerate
18924 @item
18925 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
18926 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
18927 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
18928
18929 @item
18930 A C subroutine library to support your program's
18931 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
18932
18933 @item
18934 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
18935 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
18936 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
18937 documentation.
18938 @end enumerate
18939
18940 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
18941 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
18942 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
18943
18944 @table @emph
18945 @item On the host,
18946 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
18947 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
18948 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
18949
18950 @item On the target,
18951 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
18952 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
18953 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
18954
18955 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
18956 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
18957 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
18958 @end table
18959
18960 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
18961 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
18962 @sc{sparc} boards.
18963
18964 @cindex remote serial stub list
18965 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
18966
18967 @table @code
18968
18969 @item i386-stub.c
18970 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
18971 @cindex Intel
18972 @cindex i386
18973 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
18974
18975 @item m68k-stub.c
18976 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
18977 @cindex Motorola 680x0
18978 @cindex m680x0
18979 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
18980
18981 @item sh-stub.c
18982 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
18983 @cindex Renesas
18984 @cindex SH
18985 For Renesas SH architectures.
18986
18987 @item sparc-stub.c
18988 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
18989 @cindex Sparc
18990 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
18991
18992 @item sparcl-stub.c
18993 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
18994 @cindex Fujitsu
18995 @cindex SparcLite
18996 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
18997
18998 @end table
18999
19000 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
19001 recently added stubs.
19002
19003 @menu
19004 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
19005 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
19006 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
19007 @end menu
19008
19009 @node Stub Contents
19010 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
19011
19012 @cindex remote serial stub
19013 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
19014 subroutines:
19015
19016 @table @code
19017 @item set_debug_traps
19018 @findex set_debug_traps
19019 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
19020 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
19021 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
19022 program's startup code.
19023
19024 @item handle_exception
19025 @findex handle_exception
19026 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
19027 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
19028 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
19029 run when a trap is triggered.
19030
19031 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
19032 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
19033 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
19034 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
19035 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
19036 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
19037 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
19038 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
19039 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
19040 machine.
19041
19042 @item breakpoint
19043 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
19044 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
19045 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
19046 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
19047 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
19048 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
19049 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
19050 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
19051 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
19052 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
19053 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
19054
19055 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
19056 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
19057 start of your debugging session.
19058 @end table
19059
19060 @node Bootstrapping
19061 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
19062
19063 @cindex remote stub, support routines
19064 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
19065 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
19066 debugging target machine.
19067
19068 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
19069 serial port.
19070
19071 @table @code
19072 @item int getDebugChar()
19073 @findex getDebugChar
19074 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
19075 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
19076 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
19077
19078 @item void putDebugChar(int)
19079 @findex putDebugChar
19080 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
19081 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
19082 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
19083 @end table
19084
19085 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
19086 @cindex interrupting remote targets
19087 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
19088 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
19089 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
19090 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
19091 remote system to stop.
19092
19093 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
19094 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
19095 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
19096 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
19097
19098 Other routines you need to supply are:
19099
19100 @table @code
19101 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
19102 @findex exceptionHandler
19103 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
19104 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
19105 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
19106 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
19107 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
19108 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
19109 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
19110 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
19111 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
19112 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
19113 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
19114 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
19115 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
19116
19117 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
19118 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
19119 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
19120 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
19121 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
19122
19123 @item void flush_i_cache()
19124 @findex flush_i_cache
19125 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
19126 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
19127 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
19128
19129 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
19130 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
19131 @end table
19132
19133 @noindent
19134 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
19135
19136 @table @code
19137 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
19138 @findex memset
19139 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
19140 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
19141 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
19142 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
19143 @end table
19144
19145 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
19146 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
19147 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
19148 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
19149
19150
19151 @node Debug Session
19152 @subsection Putting it All Together
19153
19154 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
19155 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
19156 steps.
19157
19158 @enumerate
19159 @item
19160 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
19161 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
19162 @display
19163 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
19164 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
19165 @end display
19166
19167 @item
19168 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
19169 procedure is called:
19170
19171 @smallexample
19172 set_debug_traps();
19173 breakpoint();
19174 @end smallexample
19175
19176 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
19177 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
19178 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
19179 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
19180 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
19181 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
19182 progress.
19183
19184 @item
19185 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
19186 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
19187
19188 @smallexample
19189 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
19190 @end smallexample
19191
19192 @noindent
19193 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
19194 function in your program, that function is called when
19195 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
19196 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
19197 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
19198
19199 @item
19200 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
19201 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
19202
19203 @item
19204 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
19205 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
19206
19207 @item
19208 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
19209 @c document that. FIXME.
19210 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
19211 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
19212
19213 @item
19214 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
19215 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
19216
19217 @end enumerate
19218
19219 @node Configurations
19220 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
19221
19222 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
19223 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
19224 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
19225
19226 There are three major categories of configurations: native
19227 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
19228 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
19229 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
19230 are quite different from each other.
19231
19232 @menu
19233 * Native::
19234 * Embedded OS::
19235 * Embedded Processors::
19236 * Architectures::
19237 @end menu
19238
19239 @node Native
19240 @section Native
19241
19242 This section describes details specific to particular native
19243 configurations.
19244
19245 @menu
19246 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
19247 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
19248 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
19249 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
19250 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
19251 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
19252 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
19253 @end menu
19254
19255 @node HP-UX
19256 @subsection HP-UX
19257
19258 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
19259 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
19260 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
19261
19262
19263 @node BSD libkvm Interface
19264 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
19265
19266 @cindex libkvm
19267 @cindex kernel memory image
19268 @cindex kernel crash dump
19269
19270 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
19271 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
19272 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
19273 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
19274 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
19275 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
19276 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
19277 @code{kvm} target:
19278
19279 @smallexample
19280 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
19281 @end smallexample
19282
19283 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
19284 argument:
19285
19286 @smallexample
19287 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
19288 @end smallexample
19289
19290 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
19291 available:
19292
19293 @table @code
19294 @kindex kvm
19295 @item kvm pcb
19296 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
19297
19298 @item kvm proc
19299 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
19300 modern FreeBSD systems.
19301 @end table
19302
19303 @node SVR4 Process Information
19304 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
19305 @cindex /proc
19306 @cindex examine process image
19307 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
19308
19309 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
19310 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
19311 process using file-system subroutines.
19312
19313 If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with this
19314 facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report
19315 information about the process running your program, or about any
19316 process running on your system. This includes, as of this writing,
19317 @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital Unix), Solaris, and Irix, but
19318 not HP-UX, for example.
19319
19320 This command may also work on core files that were created on a system
19321 that has the @samp{/proc} facility.
19322
19323 @table @code
19324 @kindex info proc
19325 @cindex process ID
19326 @item info proc
19327 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
19328 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
19329 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
19330 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
19331 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
19332 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
19333 executable file's absolute file name.
19334
19335 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
19336 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
19337 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
19338 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
19339 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
19340 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
19341
19342 @item info proc cmdline
19343 @cindex info proc cmdline
19344 Show the original command line of the process. This command is
19345 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
19346
19347 @item info proc cwd
19348 @cindex info proc cwd
19349 Show the current working directory of the process. This command is
19350 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
19351
19352 @item info proc exe
19353 @cindex info proc exe
19354 Show the name of executable of the process. This command is specific
19355 to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
19356
19357 @item info proc mappings
19358 @cindex memory address space mappings
19359 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
19360 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
19361 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
19362 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
19363 memory access rights to that range.
19364
19365 @item info proc stat
19366 @itemx info proc status
19367 @cindex process detailed status information
19368 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
19369 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
19370 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
19371 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
19372 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
19373 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
19374 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
19375
19376 @item info proc all
19377 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
19378 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
19379
19380 @ignore
19381 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
19382 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
19383 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
19384 @kindex info proc times
19385 @item info proc times
19386 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
19387 its children.
19388
19389 @kindex info proc id
19390 @item info proc id
19391 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
19392 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
19393 @end ignore
19394
19395 @item set procfs-trace
19396 @kindex set procfs-trace
19397 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
19398 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
19399
19400 @item show procfs-trace
19401 @kindex show procfs-trace
19402 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
19403
19404 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
19405 @kindex set procfs-file
19406 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
19407 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
19408 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
19409 standard output.
19410
19411 @item show procfs-file
19412 @kindex show procfs-file
19413 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
19414
19415 @item proc-trace-entry
19416 @itemx proc-trace-exit
19417 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
19418 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
19419 @kindex proc-trace-entry
19420 @kindex proc-trace-exit
19421 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
19422 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
19423 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
19424 from the @code{syscall} interface.
19425
19426 @item info pidlist
19427 @kindex info pidlist
19428 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
19429 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
19430 processes and all the threads within each process.
19431
19432 @item info meminfo
19433 @kindex info meminfo
19434 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
19435 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
19436 @end table
19437
19438 @node DJGPP Native
19439 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
19440 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
19441 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
19442 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
19443
19444 @cindex DPMI
19445 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
19446 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
19447 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
19448 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
19449
19450 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
19451 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
19452 subsection describes those commands.
19453
19454 @table @code
19455 @kindex info dos
19456 @item info dos
19457 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
19458 information about the target system and important OS structures.
19459
19460 @kindex sysinfo
19461 @cindex MS-DOS system info
19462 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
19463 @item info dos sysinfo
19464 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
19465 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
19466 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
19467
19468 @cindex GDT
19469 @cindex LDT
19470 @cindex IDT
19471 @cindex segment descriptor tables
19472 @cindex descriptor tables display
19473 @item info dos gdt
19474 @itemx info dos ldt
19475 @itemx info dos idt
19476 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
19477 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
19478 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
19479 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
19480 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
19481 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
19482 rights.
19483
19484 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
19485 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
19486 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
19487 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
19488 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
19489
19490 @cindex garbled pointers
19491 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
19492 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
19493 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
19494 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
19495 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
19496 debugged program's data segment:
19497
19498 @smallexample
19499 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
19500 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
19501 @end smallexample
19502
19503 @noindent
19504 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
19505 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
19506
19507 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
19508 @item info dos pde
19509 @itemx info dos pte
19510 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
19511 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
19512 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
19513 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
19514 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
19515 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
19516 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
19517 that is currently in use.
19518
19519 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
19520 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
19521 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
19522 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
19523 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
19524 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
19525 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
19526
19527 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
19528 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
19529 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
19530 controller.
19531
19532 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
19533
19534 @cindex physical address from linear address
19535 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
19536 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
19537 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
19538 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
19539 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
19540 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
19541 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
19542
19543 @smallexample
19544 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
19545 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
19546 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
19547 @end smallexample
19548
19549 @noindent
19550 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
19551 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
19552 attributes of that page.
19553
19554 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
19555 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
19556 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
19557 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
19558 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
19559 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
19560
19561 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
19562 transfer buffer:
19563
19564 @smallexample
19565 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
19566 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
19567 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
19568 @end smallexample
19569
19570 @noindent
19571 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
19572 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
19573 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
19574 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
19575 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
19576
19577 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
19578 @end table
19579
19580 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
19581 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
19582 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
19583 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
19584
19585 @table @code
19586 @kindex set com1base
19587 @kindex set com1irq
19588 @kindex set com2base
19589 @kindex set com2irq
19590 @kindex set com3base
19591 @kindex set com3irq
19592 @kindex set com4base
19593 @kindex set com4irq
19594 @item set com1base @var{addr}
19595 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
19596 port.
19597
19598 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
19599 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
19600 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
19601
19602 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
19603 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
19604 other 3 COM ports.
19605
19606 @kindex show com1base
19607 @kindex show com1irq
19608 @kindex show com2base
19609 @kindex show com2irq
19610 @kindex show com3base
19611 @kindex show com3irq
19612 @kindex show com4base
19613 @kindex show com4irq
19614 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
19615 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
19616 lines used by the COM ports.
19617
19618 @item info serial
19619 @kindex info serial
19620 @cindex DOS serial port status
19621 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
19622 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
19623 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
19624 counts of various errors encountered so far.
19625 @end table
19626
19627
19628 @node Cygwin Native
19629 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
19630 @cindex MS Windows debugging
19631 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
19632 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
19633
19634 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
19635 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
19636
19637 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
19638 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
19639 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
19640 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
19641 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
19642 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
19643 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
19644 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
19645
19646 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
19647 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
19648 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
19649
19650 @table @code
19651 @kindex info w32
19652 @item info w32
19653 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
19654 information about the target system and important OS structures.
19655
19656 @item info w32 selector
19657 This command displays information returned by
19658 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
19659 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
19660 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
19661 Without argument, this command displays information
19662 about the six segment registers.
19663
19664 @item info w32 thread-information-block
19665 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
19666 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
19667 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
19668
19669 @kindex info dll
19670 @item info dll
19671 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
19672
19673 @kindex dll-symbols
19674 @item dll-symbols
19675 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
19676 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
19677
19678 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
19679 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
19680 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
19681 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
19682 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
19683 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
19684 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
19685 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
19686 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
19687 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
19688 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
19689
19690 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
19691 @item show cygwin-exceptions
19692 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
19693 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
19694
19695 @kindex set new-console
19696 @item set new-console @var{mode}
19697 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
19698 be started in a new console on next start.
19699 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
19700 be started in the same console as the debugger.
19701
19702 @kindex show new-console
19703 @item show new-console
19704 Displays whether a new console is used
19705 when the debuggee is started.
19706
19707 @kindex set new-group
19708 @item set new-group @var{mode}
19709 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
19710 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
19711 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
19712 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
19713
19714 @kindex show new-group
19715 @item show new-group
19716 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
19717
19718 @kindex set debugevents
19719 @item set debugevents
19720 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
19721 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
19722 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
19723 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
19724 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
19725
19726 @kindex set debugexec
19727 @item set debugexec
19728 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
19729 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
19730
19731 @kindex set debugexceptions
19732 @item set debugexceptions
19733 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
19734 debuggee seen by the debugger.
19735
19736 @kindex set debugmemory
19737 @item set debugmemory
19738 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
19739 and writes by the debugger.
19740
19741 @kindex set shell
19742 @item set shell
19743 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
19744 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
19745
19746 @kindex show shell
19747 @item show shell
19748 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
19749
19750 @end table
19751
19752 @menu
19753 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
19754 @end menu
19755
19756 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
19757 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
19758 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
19759 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
19760
19761 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
19762 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
19763 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
19764 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
19765 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
19766 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
19767 ``minimal symbols''.
19768
19769 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
19770 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
19771 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
19772 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
19773 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
19774 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
19775 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
19776 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
19777 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
19778 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
19779
19780 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
19781
19782 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
19783 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
19784 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
19785 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
19786 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
19787 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
19788 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
19789 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
19790 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
19791
19792 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
19793 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
19794 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
19795 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
19796 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
19797 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
19798
19799 @smallexample
19800 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
19801 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
19802
19803 Non-debugging symbols:
19804 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
19805 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
19806 @end smallexample
19807
19808 @smallexample
19809 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
19810 All functions matching regular expression "!":
19811
19812 Non-debugging symbols:
19813 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
19814 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
19815 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
19816 [etc...]
19817 @end smallexample
19818
19819 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
19820
19821 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
19822 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
19823 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
19824 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
19825 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
19826 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
19827 a function within a DLL without a running program.
19828
19829 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
19830 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
19831 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
19832 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
19833 problem:
19834
19835 @smallexample
19836 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
19837 $1 = 268572168
19838 @end smallexample
19839
19840 @smallexample
19841 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
19842 0x10021610: "\230y\""
19843 @end smallexample
19844
19845 And two possible solutions:
19846
19847 @smallexample
19848 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
19849 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19850 @end smallexample
19851
19852 @smallexample
19853 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
19854 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
19855 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
19856 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
19857 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
19858 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19859 @end smallexample
19860
19861 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
19862 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
19863 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
19864 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
19865 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
19866
19867 @smallexample
19868 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
19869 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
19870 @end smallexample
19871
19872 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
19873 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
19874 safe.
19875
19876 @node Hurd Native
19877 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
19878 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
19879
19880 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
19881 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
19882
19883 @table @code
19884 @item set signals
19885 @itemx set sigs
19886 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
19887 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19888 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
19889 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
19890 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
19891 @code{signals}.
19892
19893 @item show signals
19894 @itemx show sigs
19895 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
19896 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19897 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
19898
19899 @item set signal-thread
19900 @itemx set sigthread
19901 @kindex set signal-thread
19902 @kindex set sigthread
19903 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
19904 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
19905 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
19906 signal-thread}.
19907
19908 @item show signal-thread
19909 @itemx show sigthread
19910 @kindex show signal-thread
19911 @kindex show sigthread
19912 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
19913 delivered a signal.
19914
19915 @item set stopped
19916 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19917 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
19918 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
19919 continued by delivering a signal to it.
19920
19921 @item show stopped
19922 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19923 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
19924 stopped.
19925
19926 @item set exceptions
19927 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19928 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
19929 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
19930 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
19931 trapping on.
19932
19933 @item show exceptions
19934 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19935 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
19936
19937 @item set task pause
19938 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
19939 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19940 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19941 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
19942 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
19943 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
19944 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
19945 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
19946 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
19947
19948 @item show task pause
19949 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
19950 Show the current state of task suspension.
19951
19952 @item set task detach-suspend-count
19953 @cindex task suspend count
19954 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19955 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
19956 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
19957
19958 @item show task detach-suspend-count
19959 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
19960
19961 @item set task exception-port
19962 @itemx set task excp
19963 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19964 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
19965 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
19966 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
19967
19968 @item set noninvasive
19969 @cindex noninvasive task options
19970 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
19971 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
19972 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
19973 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
19974
19975 @item info send-rights
19976 @itemx info receive-rights
19977 @itemx info port-rights
19978 @itemx info port-sets
19979 @itemx info dead-names
19980 @itemx info ports
19981 @itemx info psets
19982 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19983 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19984 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19985 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19986 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19987 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
19988 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
19989 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
19990 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
19991
19992 @item set thread pause
19993 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
19994 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19995 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19996 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
19997 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
19998 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
19999 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
20000 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
20001 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
20002 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
20003 only the current thread.
20004
20005 @item show thread pause
20006 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
20007 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
20008
20009 @item set thread run
20010 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
20011
20012 @item show thread run
20013 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
20014
20015 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
20016 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20017 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20018 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
20019 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
20020 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
20021 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
20022
20023 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
20024 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
20025 detaching.
20026
20027 @item set thread exception-port
20028 @itemx set thread excp
20029 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
20030 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
20031 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
20032
20033 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
20034 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
20035 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
20036 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
20037
20038 @item set thread default
20039 @itemx show thread default
20040 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20041 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
20042 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
20043 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
20044 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
20045 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
20046 the non-default commands.
20047 @end table
20048
20049 @node Darwin
20050 @subsection Darwin
20051 @cindex Darwin
20052
20053 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
20054
20055 @table @code
20056 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
20057 @kindex set debug darwin
20058 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
20059 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
20060
20061 @item show debug darwin
20062 @kindex show debug darwin
20063 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
20064
20065 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
20066 @kindex set debug mach-o
20067 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
20068 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
20069 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
20070 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
20071 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
20072 usage.
20073
20074 @item show debug mach-o
20075 @kindex show debug mach-o
20076 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
20077
20078 @item set mach-exceptions on
20079 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
20080 @kindex set mach-exceptions
20081 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
20082 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
20083 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
20084 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
20085
20086 @item show mach-exceptions
20087 @kindex show mach-exceptions
20088 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
20089 @end table
20090
20091
20092 @node Embedded OS
20093 @section Embedded Operating Systems
20094
20095 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
20096 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
20097 architectures.
20098
20099 @menu
20100 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
20101 @end menu
20102
20103 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
20104 various real-time operating systems.
20105
20106 @node VxWorks
20107 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
20108
20109 @cindex VxWorks
20110
20111 @table @code
20112
20113 @kindex target vxworks
20114 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
20115 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
20116 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
20117
20118 @end table
20119
20120 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
20121 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
20122
20123 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
20124 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
20125 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
20126 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
20127 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
20128 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
20129 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
20130
20131 @table @code
20132 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
20133 @kindex vxworks-timeout
20134 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
20135 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
20136 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
20137 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
20138 of a thin network line.
20139 @end table
20140
20141 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
20142 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
20143 procedures.
20144
20145 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
20146 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
20147 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
20148 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
20149 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
20150 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
20151 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
20152 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
20153 manual.
20154 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
20155
20156 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
20157 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
20158 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
20159 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
20160
20161 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
20162
20163 @smallexample
20164 (vxgdb)
20165 @end smallexample
20166
20167 @menu
20168 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
20169 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
20170 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
20171 @end menu
20172
20173 @node VxWorks Connection
20174 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
20175
20176 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
20177 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
20178
20179 @smallexample
20180 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
20181 @end smallexample
20182
20183 @need 750
20184 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
20185
20186 @smallexample
20187 Attaching remote machine across net...
20188 Connected to tt.
20189 @end smallexample
20190
20191 @need 1000
20192 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
20193 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
20194 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
20195 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
20196 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
20197
20198 @smallexample
20199 prog.o: No such file or directory.
20200 @end smallexample
20201
20202 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
20203 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
20204 command again.
20205
20206 @node VxWorks Download
20207 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
20208
20209 @cindex download to VxWorks
20210 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
20211 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
20212 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
20213 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
20214 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
20215 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
20216 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
20217 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
20218 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
20219 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
20220 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
20221 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
20222 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
20223 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
20224 program, type this on VxWorks:
20225
20226 @smallexample
20227 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
20228 @end smallexample
20229
20230 @noindent
20231 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
20232
20233 @smallexample
20234 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
20235 (vxgdb) load prog.o
20236 @end smallexample
20237
20238 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
20239
20240 @smallexample
20241 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
20242 @end smallexample
20243
20244 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
20245 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
20246 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
20247 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
20248 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
20249 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
20250 table.)
20251
20252 @node VxWorks Attach
20253 @subsubsection Running Tasks
20254
20255 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
20256 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
20257 follows:
20258
20259 @smallexample
20260 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
20261 @end smallexample
20262
20263 @noindent
20264 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
20265 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
20266 the time of attachment.
20267
20268 @node Embedded Processors
20269 @section Embedded Processors
20270
20271 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
20272 configurations.
20273
20274 @cindex send command to simulator
20275 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
20276 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
20277
20278 @table @code
20279 @item sim @var{command}
20280 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
20281 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
20282 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
20283 acceptable commands.
20284 @end table
20285
20286
20287 @menu
20288 * ARM:: ARM RDI
20289 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
20290 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
20291 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
20292 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
20293 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
20294 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
20295 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
20296 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
20297 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
20298 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
20299 * CRIS:: CRIS
20300 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
20301 @end menu
20302
20303 @node ARM
20304 @subsection ARM
20305 @cindex ARM RDI
20306
20307 @table @code
20308 @kindex target rdi
20309 @item target rdi @var{dev}
20310 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
20311 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
20312 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
20313
20314 @kindex target rdp
20315 @item target rdp @var{dev}
20316 ARM Demon monitor.
20317
20318 @end table
20319
20320 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
20321
20322 @table @code
20323 @item set arm disassembler
20324 @kindex set arm
20325 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
20326 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
20327
20328 @item show arm disassembler
20329 @kindex show arm
20330 Show the current disassembly style.
20331
20332 @item set arm apcs32
20333 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
20334 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
20335
20336 @item show arm apcs32
20337 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
20338
20339 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
20340 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
20341 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
20342
20343 @table @code
20344 @item auto
20345 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
20346 @item softfpa
20347 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
20348 processors.
20349 @item fpa
20350 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
20351 @item softvfp
20352 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
20353 @item vfp
20354 VFP co-processor.
20355 @end table
20356
20357 @item show arm fpu
20358 Show the current type of the FPU.
20359
20360 @item set arm abi
20361 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
20362
20363 @item show arm abi
20364 Show the currently used ABI.
20365
20366 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20367 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
20368 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
20369 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
20370 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
20371 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
20372 register).
20373
20374 @item show arm fallback-mode
20375 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
20376
20377 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20378 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
20379 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
20380 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
20381 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
20382
20383 @item show arm force-mode
20384 Show the current forced instruction mode.
20385
20386 @item set debug arm
20387 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
20388 target support subsystem.
20389
20390 @item show debug arm
20391 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
20392 @end table
20393
20394 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
20395 using the RDI interface:
20396
20397 @table @code
20398 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20399 @kindex rdilogfile
20400 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
20401 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
20402 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
20403 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
20404 @file{rdi.log}.
20405
20406 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
20407 @kindex rdilogenable
20408 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
20409 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
20410 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
20411 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
20412 are logged to a file.
20413
20414 @item set rdiromatzero
20415 @kindex set rdiromatzero
20416 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
20417 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
20418 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
20419 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
20420 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
20421
20422 @item show rdiromatzero
20423 @kindex show rdiromatzero
20424 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
20425
20426 @item set rdiheartbeat
20427 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
20428 @cindex RDI heartbeat
20429 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
20430 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
20431 well as the Angel monitor.
20432
20433 @item show rdiheartbeat
20434 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
20435 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
20436 @end table
20437
20438 @table @code
20439 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
20440 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
20441
20442 @table @code
20443 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
20444 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
20445 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
20446 The default value is @code{all}.
20447
20448 @table @code
20449 @item none
20450 @item demon
20451 @item angel
20452 @item redboot
20453 @item all
20454 @end table
20455 @end table
20456 @end table
20457
20458 @node M32R/D
20459 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
20460
20461 @table @code
20462 @kindex target m32r
20463 @item target m32r @var{dev}
20464 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
20465
20466 @kindex target m32rsdi
20467 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
20468 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
20469 @end table
20470
20471 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
20472
20473 @table @code
20474 @item set download-path @var{path}
20475 @kindex set download-path
20476 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
20477 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
20478
20479 @item show download-path
20480 @kindex show download-path
20481 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
20482
20483 @item set board-address @var{addr}
20484 @kindex set board-address
20485 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
20486 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
20487
20488 @item show board-address
20489 @kindex show board-address
20490 Show the current IP address of the target board.
20491
20492 @item set server-address @var{addr}
20493 @kindex set server-address
20494 @cindex download server address (M32R)
20495 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
20496 host machine.
20497
20498 @item show server-address
20499 @kindex show server-address
20500 Display the IP address of the download server.
20501
20502 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20503 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
20504 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
20505 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
20506 executable file is uploaded.
20507
20508 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20509 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
20510 Test the @code{upload} command.
20511 @end table
20512
20513 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
20514
20515 @table @code
20516 @item sdireset
20517 @kindex sdireset
20518 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
20519 This command resets the SDI connection.
20520
20521 @item sdistatus
20522 @kindex sdistatus
20523 This command shows the SDI connection status.
20524
20525 @item debug_chaos
20526 @kindex debug_chaos
20527 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
20528 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
20529
20530 @item use_debug_dma
20531 @kindex use_debug_dma
20532 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
20533
20534 @item use_mon_code
20535 @kindex use_mon_code
20536 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
20537
20538 @item use_ib_break
20539 @kindex use_ib_break
20540 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
20541
20542 @item use_dbt_break
20543 @kindex use_dbt_break
20544 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
20545 @end table
20546
20547 @node M68K
20548 @subsection M68k
20549
20550 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
20551 target command for the following ROM monitor.
20552
20553 @table @code
20554
20555 @kindex target dbug
20556 @item target dbug @var{dev}
20557 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
20558
20559 @end table
20560
20561 @node MicroBlaze
20562 @subsection MicroBlaze
20563 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
20564 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
20565
20566 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
20567 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
20568 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
20569 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
20570 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
20571 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
20572 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
20573 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
20574 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
20575 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
20576 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
20577
20578 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
20579
20580 @table @code
20581 @item target remote :1234
20582 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
20583 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
20584
20585 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
20586 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
20587 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
20588
20589 @item load
20590 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
20591
20592 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
20593 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
20594
20595 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
20596 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
20597 @end table
20598
20599 @node MIPS Embedded
20600 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
20601
20602 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} boards
20603 @value{GDBN} can use the @acronym{MIPS} remote debugging protocol to talk to a
20604 @acronym{MIPS} board attached to a serial line. This is available when
20605 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
20606
20607 @need 1000
20608 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
20609
20610 @table @code
20611 @item target mips @var{port}
20612 @kindex target mips @var{port}
20613 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
20614 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
20615 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
20616 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
20617 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
20618 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
20619
20620 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
20621 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
20622 debugger:
20623
20624 @smallexample
20625 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
20626 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
20627 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
20628 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
20629 (@value{GDBP}) run
20630 @end smallexample
20631
20632 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
20633 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
20634 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
20635 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
20636 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
20637
20638 @item target pmon @var{port}
20639 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
20640 PMON ROM monitor.
20641
20642 @item target ddb @var{port}
20643 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
20644 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
20645
20646 @item target lsi @var{port}
20647 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
20648 LSI variant of PMON.
20649
20650 @kindex target r3900
20651 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
20652 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
20653
20654 @kindex target array
20655 @item target array @var{dev}
20656 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
20657
20658 @end table
20659
20660
20661 @noindent
20662 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
20663
20664 @table @code
20665 @item set mipsfpu double
20666 @itemx set mipsfpu single
20667 @itemx set mipsfpu none
20668 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
20669 @itemx show mipsfpu
20670 @kindex set mipsfpu
20671 @kindex show mipsfpu
20672 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
20673 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
20674 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
20675 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
20676 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
20677 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
20678 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
20679 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
20680 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
20681 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
20682 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
20683 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
20684 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
20685
20686 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
20687 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
20688 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
20689
20690 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
20691 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
20692
20693 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
20694 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
20695 @itemx show timeout
20696 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
20697 @cindex @code{timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
20698 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
20699 @kindex set timeout
20700 @kindex show timeout
20701 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
20702 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
20703 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the @acronym{MIPS}
20704 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
20705 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
20706 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
20707 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
20708 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
20709 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
20710 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
20711
20712 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
20713 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
20714 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
20715 to run before stopping.
20716
20717 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
20718 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20719 @cindex synchronize with remote @acronym{MIPS} target
20720 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
20721 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
20722 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
20723
20724 @item show syn-garbage-limit
20725 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20726 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
20727 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
20728
20729 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
20730 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20731 @cindex remote monitor prompt
20732 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
20733 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
20734 @table @asis
20735 @item pmon target
20736 @samp{PMON}
20737 @item ddb target
20738 @samp{NEC010}
20739 @item lsi target
20740 @samp{PMON>}
20741 @end table
20742
20743 @item show monitor-prompt
20744 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20745 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
20746 remote monitor.
20747
20748 @item set monitor-warnings
20749 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20750 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
20751 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
20752 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
20753 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
20754
20755 @item show monitor-warnings
20756 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20757 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
20758
20759 @item pmon @var{command}
20760 @kindex pmon@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20761 @cindex send PMON command
20762 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
20763 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
20764 @end table
20765
20766 @node PowerPC Embedded
20767 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
20768
20769 @cindex DVC register
20770 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
20771 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
20772
20773 @smallexample
20774 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
20775 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
20776 @end smallexample
20777
20778 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
20779 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
20780 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
20781 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
20782 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
20783 or newer.
20784
20785 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
20786 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
20787 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
20788 watching variables of scalar types.
20789
20790 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
20791 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
20792
20793 @smallexample
20794 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
20795 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
20796 @end smallexample
20797
20798 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
20799 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
20800
20801 @cindex ranged breakpoint
20802 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
20803 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
20804 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
20805 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
20806 use the @code{break-range} command.
20807
20808 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
20809
20810 @table @code
20811 @kindex break-range
20812 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
20813 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
20814 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
20815 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
20816 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
20817 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
20818 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
20819 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
20820 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
20821
20822 @kindex set powerpc
20823 @item set powerpc soft-float
20824 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
20825 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
20826 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
20827 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20828
20829 @item set powerpc vector-abi
20830 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
20831 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
20832 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
20833 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
20834 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
20835 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
20836 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20837
20838 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
20839 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
20840 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
20841 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
20842 address of its first byte.
20843
20844 @kindex target dink32
20845 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
20846 DINK32 ROM monitor.
20847
20848 @kindex target ppcbug
20849 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
20850 @kindex target ppcbug1
20851 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
20852 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
20853
20854 @kindex target sds
20855 @item target sds @var{dev}
20856 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
20857 @end table
20858
20859 @cindex SDS protocol
20860 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
20861 by @value{GDBN}:
20862
20863 @table @code
20864 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
20865 @kindex set sdstimeout
20866 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
20867 default is 2 seconds.
20868
20869 @item show sdstimeout
20870 @kindex show sdstimeout
20871 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
20872
20873 @item sds @var{command}
20874 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
20875 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
20876 @end table
20877
20878
20879 @node PA
20880 @subsection HP PA Embedded
20881
20882 @table @code
20883
20884 @kindex target op50n
20885 @item target op50n @var{dev}
20886 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
20887
20888 @kindex target w89k
20889 @item target w89k @var{dev}
20890 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
20891
20892 @end table
20893
20894 @node Sparclet
20895 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
20896
20897 @cindex Sparclet
20898
20899 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
20900 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
20901 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
20902 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
20903 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
20904
20905 @table @code
20906 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
20907 @kindex remotetimeout
20908 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
20909 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
20910 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
20911 @end table
20912
20913 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
20914 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
20915 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
20916 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
20917 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
20918
20919 @smallexample
20920 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
20921 @end smallexample
20922
20923 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
20924
20925 @smallexample
20926 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
20927 @end smallexample
20928
20929 @cindex running, on Sparclet
20930 Once you have set
20931 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
20932 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
20933 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
20934
20935 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
20936
20937 @smallexample
20938 (gdbslet)
20939 @end smallexample
20940
20941 @menu
20942 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
20943 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
20944 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
20945 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
20946 @end menu
20947
20948 @node Sparclet File
20949 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
20950
20951 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
20952
20953 @smallexample
20954 (gdbslet) file prog
20955 @end smallexample
20956
20957 @need 1000
20958 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
20959 @value{GDBN} locates
20960 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
20961 path.
20962 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
20963 files will be searched as well.
20964 @value{GDBN} locates
20965 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
20966 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
20967 If it fails
20968 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
20969
20970 @smallexample
20971 prog: No such file or directory.
20972 @end smallexample
20973
20974 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
20975 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
20976 @code{target} command again.
20977
20978 @node Sparclet Connection
20979 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
20980
20981 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
20982 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
20983
20984 @smallexample
20985 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
20986 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
20987 main () at ../prog.c:3
20988 @end smallexample
20989
20990 @need 750
20991 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
20992
20993 @smallexample
20994 Connected to ttya.
20995 @end smallexample
20996
20997 @node Sparclet Download
20998 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
20999
21000 @cindex download to Sparclet
21001 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
21002 you can use the @value{GDBN}
21003 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
21004 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
21005 command.
21006 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
21007 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
21008 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
21009 of each of the file's sections.
21010 For instance, if the program
21011 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
21012 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
21013
21014 @smallexample
21015 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
21016 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
21017 @end smallexample
21018
21019 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
21020 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
21021 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
21022
21023 @node Sparclet Execution
21024 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
21025
21026 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
21027 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
21028 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
21029 manual for the list of commands.
21030
21031 @smallexample
21032 (gdbslet) b main
21033 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
21034 (gdbslet) run
21035 Starting program: prog
21036 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
21037 3 char *symarg = 0;
21038 (gdbslet) step
21039 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
21040 (gdbslet)
21041 @end smallexample
21042
21043 @node Sparclite
21044 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
21045
21046 @table @code
21047
21048 @kindex target sparclite
21049 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
21050 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
21051 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
21052 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
21053 remote protocol.
21054
21055 @end table
21056
21057 @node Z8000
21058 @subsection Zilog Z8000
21059
21060 @cindex Z8000
21061 @cindex simulator, Z8000
21062 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
21063
21064 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
21065 a Z8000 simulator.
21066
21067 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
21068 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
21069 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
21070 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
21071
21072 @table @code
21073 @item target sim @var{args}
21074 @kindex sim
21075 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
21076 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
21077 options, specify them via @var{args}.
21078 @end table
21079
21080 @noindent
21081 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
21082 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
21083 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
21084 to run your program, and so on.
21085
21086 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
21087 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
21088 additional items of information as specially named registers:
21089
21090 @table @code
21091
21092 @item cycles
21093 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
21094
21095 @item insts
21096 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
21097
21098 @item time
21099 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
21100
21101 @end table
21102
21103 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
21104 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
21105 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
21106 simulated clock ticks.
21107
21108 @node AVR
21109 @subsection Atmel AVR
21110 @cindex AVR
21111
21112 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
21113 following AVR-specific commands:
21114
21115 @table @code
21116 @item info io_registers
21117 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
21118 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
21119 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
21120 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
21121 @end table
21122
21123 @node CRIS
21124 @subsection CRIS
21125 @cindex CRIS
21126
21127 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
21128 following CRIS-specific commands:
21129
21130 @table @code
21131 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
21132 @cindex CRIS version
21133 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
21134 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
21135 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
21136
21137 @item show cris-version
21138 Show the current CRIS version.
21139
21140 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
21141 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
21142 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
21143 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
21144 @code{R59}.
21145
21146 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
21147 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
21148
21149 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
21150 @cindex CRIS mode
21151 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
21152 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
21153 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
21154
21155 @item show cris-mode
21156 Show the current CRIS mode.
21157 @end table
21158
21159 @node Super-H
21160 @subsection Renesas Super-H
21161 @cindex Super-H
21162
21163 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
21164 commands:
21165
21166 @table @code
21167 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
21168 @kindex set sh calling-convention
21169 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
21170 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
21171 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
21172 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
21173 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
21174 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
21175 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
21176 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
21177 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
21178 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
21179
21180 @item show sh calling-convention
21181 @kindex show sh calling-convention
21182 Show the current calling convention setting.
21183
21184 @end table
21185
21186
21187 @node Architectures
21188 @section Architectures
21189
21190 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
21191 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
21192
21193 @menu
21194 * AArch64::
21195 * i386::
21196 * Alpha::
21197 * MIPS::
21198 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
21199 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
21200 * PowerPC::
21201 * Nios II::
21202 @end menu
21203
21204 @node AArch64
21205 @subsection AArch64
21206 @cindex AArch64 support
21207
21208 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides the
21209 following special commands:
21210
21211 @table @code
21212 @item set debug aarch64
21213 @kindex set debug aarch64
21214 This command determines whether AArch64 architecture-specific debugging
21215 messages are to be displayed.
21216
21217 @item show debug aarch64
21218 Show whether AArch64 debugging messages are displayed.
21219
21220 @end table
21221
21222 @node i386
21223 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
21224
21225 @table @code
21226 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
21227 @kindex set struct-convention
21228 @cindex struct return convention
21229 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
21230 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
21231 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
21232 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
21233 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
21234 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
21235 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
21236 be returned in a register.
21237
21238 @item show struct-convention
21239 @kindex show struct-convention
21240 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
21241 from functions.
21242 @end table
21243
21244 @node Alpha
21245 @subsection Alpha
21246
21247 See the following section.
21248
21249 @node MIPS
21250 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
21251
21252 @cindex stack on Alpha
21253 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
21254 @cindex Alpha stack
21255 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
21256 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
21257 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
21258 find the beginning of a function.
21259
21260 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
21261 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
21262 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
21263 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
21264 commands:
21265
21266 @table @code
21267 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
21268 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
21269 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
21270 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
21271 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
21272 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
21273 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
21274 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
21275
21276 @item show heuristic-fence-post
21277 Display the current limit.
21278 @end table
21279
21280 @noindent
21281 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
21282 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
21283
21284 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
21285 programs:
21286
21287 @table @code
21288 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
21289 @kindex set mips abi
21290 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
21291 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
21292 values of @var{arg} are:
21293
21294 @table @samp
21295 @item auto
21296 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
21297 default).
21298 @item o32
21299 @item o64
21300 @item n32
21301 @item n64
21302 @item eabi32
21303 @item eabi64
21304 @end table
21305
21306 @item show mips abi
21307 @kindex show mips abi
21308 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
21309
21310 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
21311 @kindex set mips compression
21312 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
21313 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
21314 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
21315 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
21316 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
21317 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
21318 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
21319 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
21320 provided by the executable.
21321
21322 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
21323 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
21324 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
21325 identified as such.
21326
21327 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
21328 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
21329 implicitly from an executable.
21330
21331 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
21332 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
21333 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
21334 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
21335 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
21336
21337 @item show mips compression
21338 @kindex show mips compression
21339 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
21340 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
21341
21342 @item set mipsfpu
21343 @itemx show mipsfpu
21344 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
21345
21346 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
21347 @kindex set mips mask-address
21348 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
21349 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
21350 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
21351 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
21352 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
21353
21354 @item show mips mask-address
21355 @kindex show mips mask-address
21356 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
21357 not.
21358
21359 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21360 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21361 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
21362 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
21363 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
21364 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
21365
21366 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21367 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21368 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
21369
21370 @item set debug mips
21371 @kindex set debug mips
21372 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
21373 target code in @value{GDBN}.
21374
21375 @item show debug mips
21376 @kindex show debug mips
21377 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
21378 @end table
21379
21380
21381 @node HPPA
21382 @subsection HPPA
21383 @cindex HPPA support
21384
21385 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
21386 following special commands:
21387
21388 @table @code
21389 @item set debug hppa
21390 @kindex set debug hppa
21391 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
21392 messages are to be displayed.
21393
21394 @item show debug hppa
21395 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
21396
21397 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
21398 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
21399 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
21400 given @var{address}.
21401
21402 @end table
21403
21404
21405 @node SPU
21406 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
21407 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
21408 @cindex SPU
21409
21410 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
21411 it provides the following special commands:
21412
21413 @table @code
21414 @item info spu event
21415 @kindex info spu
21416 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
21417 and pending event status.
21418
21419 @item info spu signal
21420 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
21421 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
21422 notification channels.
21423
21424 @item info spu mailbox
21425 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
21426 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
21427 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
21428
21429 @item info spu dma
21430 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
21431 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
21432 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
21433
21434 @item info spu proxydma
21435 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
21436 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
21437 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
21438
21439 @end table
21440
21441 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
21442 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
21443 special commands:
21444
21445 @table @code
21446 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
21447 @kindex set spu
21448 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
21449 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
21450 function. The default is @code{off}.
21451
21452 @item show spu stop-on-load
21453 @kindex show spu
21454 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
21455
21456 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
21457 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
21458 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
21459 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
21460 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
21461 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
21462
21463 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
21464 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
21465
21466 @end table
21467
21468 @node PowerPC
21469 @subsection PowerPC
21470 @cindex PowerPC architecture
21471
21472 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
21473 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
21474 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
21475 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
21476 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
21477
21478 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
21479 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
21480 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
21481
21482 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
21483 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
21484
21485 @node Nios II
21486 @subsection Nios II
21487 @cindex Nios II architecture
21488
21489 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Nios II architecture,
21490 it provides the following special commands:
21491
21492 @table @code
21493
21494 @item set debug nios2
21495 @kindex set debug nios2
21496 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the Nios II
21497 target code in @value{GDBN}.
21498
21499 @item show debug nios2
21500 @kindex show debug nios2
21501 Show the current setting of Nios II debugging messages.
21502 @end table
21503
21504 @node Controlling GDB
21505 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
21506
21507 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
21508 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
21509 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
21510 described here.
21511
21512 @menu
21513 * Prompt:: Prompt
21514 * Editing:: Command editing
21515 * Command History:: Command history
21516 * Screen Size:: Screen size
21517 * Numbers:: Numbers
21518 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
21519 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
21520 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
21521 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
21522 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
21523 @end menu
21524
21525 @node Prompt
21526 @section Prompt
21527
21528 @cindex prompt
21529
21530 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
21531 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
21532 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
21533 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
21534 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
21535 which one you are talking to.
21536
21537 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
21538 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
21539 or a prompt that does not.
21540
21541 @table @code
21542 @kindex set prompt
21543 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
21544 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
21545
21546 @kindex show prompt
21547 @item show prompt
21548 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
21549 @end table
21550
21551 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
21552 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
21553 are:
21554
21555 @table @code
21556 @kindex set extended-prompt
21557 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
21558 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
21559 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
21560 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
21561 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
21562 is displayed.
21563
21564 For example:
21565
21566 @smallexample
21567 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
21568 @end smallexample
21569
21570 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
21571 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
21572
21573 @kindex show extended-prompt
21574 @item show extended-prompt
21575 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
21576 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
21577 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
21578 @end table
21579
21580 @node Editing
21581 @section Command Editing
21582 @cindex readline
21583 @cindex command line editing
21584
21585 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
21586 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
21587 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
21588 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
21589 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
21590 debugging sessions.
21591
21592 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
21593 command @code{set}.
21594
21595 @table @code
21596 @kindex set editing
21597 @cindex editing
21598 @item set editing
21599 @itemx set editing on
21600 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
21601
21602 @item set editing off
21603 Disable command line editing.
21604
21605 @kindex show editing
21606 @item show editing
21607 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
21608 @end table
21609
21610 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21611 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
21612 @end ifset
21613 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21614 @xref{Command Line Editing},
21615 @end ifclear
21616 for more details about the Readline
21617 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
21618 encouraged to read that chapter.
21619
21620 @node Command History
21621 @section Command History
21622 @cindex command history
21623
21624 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
21625 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
21626 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
21627 history facility.
21628
21629 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
21630 package, to provide the history facility.
21631 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21632 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
21633 @end ifset
21634 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21635 @xref{Using History Interactively},
21636 @end ifclear
21637 for the detailed description of the History library.
21638
21639 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
21640 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
21641 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
21642 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
21643 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
21644 pressed on a line by itself.
21645
21646 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
21647 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
21648 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
21649 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
21650
21651 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
21652 history.
21653
21654 @table @code
21655 @cindex history substitution
21656 @cindex history file
21657 @kindex set history filename
21658 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
21659 @item set history filename @var{fname}
21660 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
21661 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
21662 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
21663 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
21664 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
21665 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
21666 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
21667 is not set.
21668
21669 @cindex save command history
21670 @kindex set history save
21671 @item set history save
21672 @itemx set history save on
21673 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
21674 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
21675
21676 @item set history save off
21677 Stop recording command history in a file.
21678
21679 @cindex history size
21680 @kindex set history size
21681 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
21682 @item set history size @var{size}
21683 @itemx set history size unlimited
21684 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
21685 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
21686 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set. If @var{size}
21687 is @code{unlimited}, the number of commands @value{GDBN} keeps in the
21688 history list is unlimited.
21689 @end table
21690
21691 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
21692 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21693 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
21694 @end ifset
21695 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21696 @xref{Event Designators},
21697 @end ifclear
21698 for more details.
21699
21700 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
21701 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
21702 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
21703 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
21704 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
21705 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
21706 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
21707 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
21708
21709 The commands to control history expansion are:
21710
21711 @table @code
21712 @item set history expansion on
21713 @itemx set history expansion
21714 @kindex set history expansion
21715 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
21716
21717 @item set history expansion off
21718 Disable history expansion.
21719
21720 @c @group
21721 @kindex show history
21722 @item show history
21723 @itemx show history filename
21724 @itemx show history save
21725 @itemx show history size
21726 @itemx show history expansion
21727 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
21728 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
21729 @c @end group
21730 @end table
21731
21732 @table @code
21733 @kindex show commands
21734 @cindex show last commands
21735 @cindex display command history
21736 @item show commands
21737 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
21738
21739 @item show commands @var{n}
21740 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
21741
21742 @item show commands +
21743 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
21744 @end table
21745
21746 @node Screen Size
21747 @section Screen Size
21748 @cindex size of screen
21749 @cindex pauses in output
21750
21751 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
21752 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
21753 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
21754 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
21755 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
21756 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
21757 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
21758 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
21759
21760 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
21761 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
21762 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
21763 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
21764 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
21765 width} commands:
21766
21767 @table @code
21768 @kindex set height
21769 @kindex set width
21770 @kindex show width
21771 @kindex show height
21772 @item set height @var{lpp}
21773 @itemx set height unlimited
21774 @itemx show height
21775 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
21776 @itemx set width unlimited
21777 @itemx show width
21778 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
21779 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
21780 commands display the current settings.
21781
21782 If you specify a height of either @code{unlimited} or zero lines,
21783 @value{GDBN} does not pause during output no matter how long the
21784 output is. This is useful if output is to a file or to an editor
21785 buffer.
21786
21787 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width unlimited} or @samp{set
21788 width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN} from wrapping its output.
21789
21790 @item set pagination on
21791 @itemx set pagination off
21792 @kindex set pagination
21793 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
21794 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height unlimited}. Note that
21795 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
21796 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
21797
21798 @item show pagination
21799 @kindex show pagination
21800 Show the current pagination mode.
21801 @end table
21802
21803 @node Numbers
21804 @section Numbers
21805 @cindex number representation
21806 @cindex entering numbers
21807
21808 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
21809 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
21810 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
21811 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
21812 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
21813 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
21814 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
21815 both input and output with the commands described below.
21816
21817 @table @code
21818 @kindex set input-radix
21819 @item set input-radix @var{base}
21820 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
21821 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21822 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
21823 example, any of
21824
21825 @smallexample
21826 set input-radix 012
21827 set input-radix 10.
21828 set input-radix 0xa
21829 @end smallexample
21830
21831 @noindent
21832 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
21833 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
21834 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
21835 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
21836 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
21837 change the radix.
21838
21839 @kindex set output-radix
21840 @item set output-radix @var{base}
21841 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
21842 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21843 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
21844
21845 @kindex show input-radix
21846 @item show input-radix
21847 Display the current default base for numeric input.
21848
21849 @kindex show output-radix
21850 @item show output-radix
21851 Display the current default base for numeric display.
21852
21853 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
21854 @itemx show radix
21855 @kindex set radix
21856 @kindex show radix
21857 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
21858 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
21859 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
21860 default value of 10.
21861
21862 @end table
21863
21864 @node ABI
21865 @section Configuring the Current ABI
21866
21867 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
21868 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
21869 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
21870 current ABI.
21871
21872 @cindex OS ABI
21873 @kindex set osabi
21874 @kindex show osabi
21875 @cindex Newlib OS ABI and its influence on the longjmp handling
21876
21877 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
21878 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
21879 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
21880 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
21881 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
21882 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
21883 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
21884 platform provides.
21885
21886 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides a
21887 ``Newlib'' OS ABI. This is useful for handling @code{setjmp} and
21888 @code{longjmp} when debugging binaries that use the @sc{newlib} C library.
21889 The ``Newlib'' OS ABI can be selected by @code{set osabi Newlib}.
21890
21891 @table @code
21892 @item show osabi
21893 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
21894
21895 @item set osabi
21896 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
21897
21898 @item set osabi @var{abi}
21899 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
21900 @end table
21901
21902 @cindex float promotion
21903
21904 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
21905 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
21906 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
21907 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
21908 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
21909 @code{double} and then passed.
21910
21911 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
21912 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
21913 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
21914
21915 @table @code
21916 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
21917 @item set coerce-float-to-double
21918 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
21919 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
21920 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
21921
21922 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
21923 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
21924 functions.
21925
21926 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
21927 @item show coerce-float-to-double
21928 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
21929 @end table
21930
21931 @kindex set cp-abi
21932 @kindex show cp-abi
21933 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
21934 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
21935 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
21936 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
21937 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
21938 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
21939 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
21940 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
21941 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
21942 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
21943 ``auto''.
21944
21945 @table @code
21946 @item show cp-abi
21947 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
21948
21949 @item set cp-abi
21950 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
21951
21952 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
21953 @itemx set cp-abi auto
21954 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
21955 @end table
21956
21957 @node Auto-loading
21958 @section Automatically loading associated files
21959 @cindex auto-loading
21960
21961 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
21962 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
21963 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
21964 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
21965 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
21966 sources).
21967
21968 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
21969 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
21970 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21971
21972 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
21973 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
21974
21975 @table @code
21976 @anchor{set auto-load off}
21977 @kindex set auto-load off
21978 @item set auto-load off
21979 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
21980 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
21981 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
21982 @smallexample
21983 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
21984 @end smallexample
21985
21986 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
21987 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
21988 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
21989 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
21990 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
21991 @code{set auto-load no}.
21992
21993 @anchor{show auto-load}
21994 @kindex show auto-load
21995 @item show auto-load
21996 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
21997 or disabled.
21998
21999 @smallexample
22000 (gdb) show auto-load
22001 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
22002 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
22003 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
22004 is on.
22005 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
22006 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
22007 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
22008 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
22009 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
22010 @end smallexample
22011
22012 @anchor{info auto-load}
22013 @kindex info auto-load
22014 @item info auto-load
22015 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
22016 not.
22017
22018 @smallexample
22019 (gdb) info auto-load
22020 gdb-scripts:
22021 Loaded Script
22022 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
22023 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
22024 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
22025 loaded.
22026 python-scripts:
22027 Loaded Script
22028 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
22029 @end smallexample
22030 @end table
22031
22032 These are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load:
22033
22034 @itemize @bullet
22035 @item
22036 @xref{objfile-gdb.py file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
22037 @item
22038 @xref{objfile-gdb.gdb file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
22039 @item
22040 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section},
22041 controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
22042 @item
22043 @xref{Init File in the Current Directory},
22044 controlled by @ref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
22045 @item
22046 @xref{libthread_db.so.1 file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
22047 @end itemize
22048
22049 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
22050
22051 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
22052 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
22053 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
22054 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
22055 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
22056 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
22057 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
22058 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
22059 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
22060 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
22061 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
22062 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
22063 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
22064 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
22065 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
22066 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
22067 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
22068 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
22069 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
22070 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
22071 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
22072 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
22073 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
22074 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
22075 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
22076 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
22077 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
22078 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
22079 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
22080 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
22081 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
22082 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
22083 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
22084 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
22085 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
22086 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
22087 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
22088 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
22089 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
22090 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
22091 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
22092 @end multitable
22093
22094 @menu
22095 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
22096 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
22097 * objfile-gdb.gdb file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load gdb-script}
22098 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
22099 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
22100 @xref{Python Auto-loading}.
22101 @end menu
22102
22103 @node Init File in the Current Directory
22104 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
22105 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
22106
22107 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
22108 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
22109 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
22110
22111 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
22112 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
22113
22114 @table @code
22115 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
22116 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
22117 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
22118 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
22119 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
22120
22121 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
22122 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
22123 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
22124 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
22125 current directory is enabled or disabled.
22126
22127 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
22128 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
22129 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
22130 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
22131 current directory have been auto-loaded.
22132 @end table
22133
22134 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
22135 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
22136 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
22137
22138 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
22139
22140 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
22141 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
22142
22143 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
22144 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
22145 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
22146 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
22147 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
22148 library.
22149
22150 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
22151 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
22152
22153 @table @code
22154 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
22155 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
22156 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
22157 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
22158
22159 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
22160 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
22161 @item show auto-load libthread-db
22162 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
22163 enabled or disabled.
22164
22165 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
22166 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
22167 @item info auto-load libthread-db
22168 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
22169 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
22170 @end table
22171
22172 @node objfile-gdb.gdb file
22173 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file
22174 @cindex auto-loading @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
22175
22176 @value{GDBN} tries to load an @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file containing
22177 canned sequences of commands (@pxref{Sequences}), as long as @samp{set
22178 auto-load gdb-scripts} is set to @samp{on}.
22179
22180 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
22181 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
22182
22183 For more background refer to the similar Python scripts auto-loading
22184 description (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file}).
22185
22186 @table @code
22187 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
22188 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
22189 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
22190 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
22191
22192 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
22193 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
22194 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
22195 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
22196 disabled.
22197
22198 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
22199 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
22200 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
22201 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
22202 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
22203 auto-loaded.
22204 @end table
22205
22206 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
22207 matching names are printed.
22208
22209 @node Auto-loading safe path
22210 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
22211 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
22212
22213 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
22214 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
22215 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
22216 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
22217 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
22218
22219 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
22220 get loaded:
22221
22222 @smallexample
22223 $ ./gdb -q ./gdb
22224 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
22225 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
22226 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
22227 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
22228 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
22229 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
22230 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
22231 @end smallexample
22232
22233 @noindent
22234 To instruct @value{GDBN} to go ahead and use the init files anyway,
22235 invoke @value{GDBN} like this:
22236
22237 @smallexample
22238 $ gdb -q -iex "set auto-load safe-path /home/user/gdb" ./gdb
22239 @end smallexample
22240
22241 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
22242
22243 @table @code
22244 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
22245 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
22246 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
22247 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
22248 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
22249 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
22250 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
22251 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
22252 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
22253 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
22254
22255 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
22256 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
22257 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
22258
22259 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
22260 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
22261 @item show auto-load safe-path
22262 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
22263 scripts.
22264
22265 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
22266 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
22267 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
22268 Add an entry (or list of entries) the list of directories trusted for automatic
22269 loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited by the
22270 host platform path separator in use.
22271 @end table
22272
22273 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
22274 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
22275 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
22276 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
22277 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
22278
22279 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
22280 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
22281 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
22282 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
22283 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
22284 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
22285 init file in the current directory
22286 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
22287
22288 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
22289 example, you could use one of the following ways:
22290
22291 @table @asis
22292 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
22293 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
22294 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
22295 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
22296
22297 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
22298 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
22299 @value{GDBN} session.
22300
22301 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
22302 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
22303 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
22304 from trusted sources.
22305
22306 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
22307 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
22308 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
22309 trusted sources.
22310 @end table
22311
22312 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
22313 also suppresses any such warning messages:
22314
22315 @table @asis
22316 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
22317 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
22318
22319 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
22320 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
22321 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
22322 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
22323 @end table
22324
22325 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
22326 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
22327 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
22328 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
22329 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
22330 recommended to be entered.
22331
22332 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
22333 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
22334 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
22335
22336 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
22337 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
22338 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
22339 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
22340 be printed.
22341
22342 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
22343 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
22344 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
22345
22346 @smallexample
22347 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
22348 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
22349 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
22350 for objfile "/tmp/true".
22351 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
22352 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
22353 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
22354 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
22355 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
22356 @end smallexample
22357
22358 @table @code
22359 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
22360 @kindex set debug auto-load
22361 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
22362 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
22363
22364 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
22365 @kindex show debug auto-load
22366 @item show debug auto-load
22367 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
22368 on or off.
22369 @end table
22370
22371 @node Messages/Warnings
22372 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
22373
22374 @cindex verbose operation
22375 @cindex optional warnings
22376 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
22377 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
22378 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
22379 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
22380
22381 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
22382 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
22383 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
22384
22385 @table @code
22386 @kindex set verbose
22387 @item set verbose on
22388 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22389
22390 @item set verbose off
22391 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22392
22393 @kindex show verbose
22394 @item show verbose
22395 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
22396 @end table
22397
22398 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
22399 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
22400 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
22401 Symbol Files}).
22402
22403 @table @code
22404
22405 @kindex set complaints
22406 @item set complaints @var{limit}
22407 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
22408 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
22409 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
22410 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
22411
22412 @kindex show complaints
22413 @item show complaints
22414 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
22415
22416 @end table
22417
22418 @anchor{confirmation requests}
22419 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
22420 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
22421 you try to run a program which is already running:
22422
22423 @smallexample
22424 (@value{GDBP}) run
22425 The program being debugged has been started already.
22426 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
22427 @end smallexample
22428
22429 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
22430 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
22431
22432 @table @code
22433
22434 @kindex set confirm
22435 @cindex flinching
22436 @cindex confirmation
22437 @cindex stupid questions
22438 @item set confirm off
22439 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
22440 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
22441 automatically disables confirmation requests.
22442
22443 @item set confirm on
22444 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
22445
22446 @kindex show confirm
22447 @item show confirm
22448 Displays state of confirmation requests.
22449
22450 @end table
22451
22452 @cindex command tracing
22453 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
22454 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
22455 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
22456 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
22457
22458 @table @code
22459 @kindex set trace-commands
22460 @cindex command scripts, debugging
22461 @item set trace-commands on
22462 Enable command tracing.
22463 @item set trace-commands off
22464 Disable command tracing.
22465 @item show trace-commands
22466 Display the current state of command tracing.
22467 @end table
22468
22469 @node Debugging Output
22470 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
22471 @cindex optional debugging messages
22472
22473 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
22474 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
22475 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
22476 section documents those commands.
22477
22478 @table @code
22479 @kindex set exec-done-display
22480 @item set exec-done-display
22481 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
22482 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
22483 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
22484 @kindex show exec-done-display
22485 @item show exec-done-display
22486 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
22487 notification.
22488 @kindex set debug
22489 @cindex ARM AArch64
22490 @item set debug aarch64
22491 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to ARM AArch64.
22492 The default is off.
22493 @kindex show debug
22494 @item show debug aarch64
22495 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22496 ARM AArch64.
22497 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
22498 @cindex architecture debugging info
22499 @item set debug arch
22500 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
22501 @item show debug arch
22502 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
22503 @item set debug aix-solib
22504 @cindex AIX shared library debugging
22505 Control display of debugging messages from the AIX shared library
22506 support module. The default is off.
22507 @item show debug aix-thread
22508 Show the current state of displaying AIX shared library debugging messages.
22509 @item set debug aix-thread
22510 @cindex AIX threads
22511 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
22512 module.
22513 @item show debug aix-thread
22514 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
22515 @item set debug check-physname
22516 @cindex physname
22517 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
22518 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
22519 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
22520 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
22521 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
22522 both ways and display any discrepancies.
22523 @item show debug check-physname
22524 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
22525 @item set debug coff-pe-read
22526 @cindex COFF/PE exported symbols
22527 Control display of debugging messages related to reading of COFF/PE
22528 exported symbols. The default is off.
22529 @item show debug coff-pe-read
22530 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22531 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
22532 @item set debug dwarf2-die
22533 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
22534 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
22535 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
22536 A value of zero turns off the display.
22537 @item show debug dwarf2-die
22538 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
22539 @item set debug dwarf2-read
22540 @cindex DWARF2 Reading
22541 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
22542 DWARF debug info. The default is off.
22543 @item show debug dwarf2-read
22544 Show the current state of DWARF2 reader debugging.
22545 @item set debug displaced
22546 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
22547 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
22548 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
22549 @item show debug displaced
22550 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
22551 related to displaced stepping.
22552 @item set debug event
22553 @cindex event debugging info
22554 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
22555 default is off.
22556 @item show debug event
22557 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
22558 info.
22559 @item set debug expression
22560 @cindex expression debugging info
22561 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
22562 expression parsing. The default is off.
22563 @item show debug expression
22564 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
22565 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
22566 @item set debug frame
22567 @cindex frame debugging info
22568 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
22569 default is off.
22570 @item show debug frame
22571 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
22572 info.
22573 @item set debug gnu-nat
22574 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
22575 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
22576 @item show debug gnu-nat
22577 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
22578 @item set debug infrun
22579 @cindex inferior debugging info
22580 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
22581 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
22582 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
22583 @item show debug infrun
22584 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
22585 @item set debug jit
22586 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
22587 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
22588 @item show debug jit
22589 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
22590 @item set debug lin-lwp
22591 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
22592 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
22593 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
22594 @item show debug lin-lwp
22595 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
22596 @item set debug mach-o
22597 @cindex Mach-O symbols processing
22598 Control display of debugging messages related to Mach-O symbols
22599 processing. The default is off.
22600 @item show debug mach-o
22601 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22602 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
22603 @item set debug notification
22604 @cindex remote async notification debugging info
22605 Turns on or off debugging messages about remote async notification.
22606 The default is off.
22607 @item show debug notification
22608 Displays the current state of remote async notification debugging messages.
22609 @item set debug observer
22610 @cindex observer debugging info
22611 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
22612 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
22613 @item show debug observer
22614 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
22615 @item set debug overload
22616 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
22617 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
22618 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
22619 is off.
22620 @item show debug overload
22621 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
22622 debugging info.
22623 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
22624 @cindex debug expression parser
22625 @item set debug parser
22626 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
22627 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
22628 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
22629 details. The default is off.
22630 @item show debug parser
22631 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
22632 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
22633 @cindex serial connections, debugging
22634 @cindex debug remote protocol
22635 @cindex remote protocol debugging
22636 @cindex display remote packets
22637 @item set debug remote
22638 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
22639 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
22640 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
22641 @item show debug remote
22642 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
22643 @item set debug serial
22644 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
22645 default is off.
22646 @item show debug serial
22647 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
22648 info.
22649 @item set debug solib-frv
22650 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
22651 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
22652 @item show debug solib-frv
22653 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
22654 messages.
22655 @item set debug symfile
22656 @cindex symbol file functions
22657 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol file functions.
22658 The default is off. @xref{Files}.
22659 @item show debug symfile
22660 Show the current state of symbol file debugging messages.
22661 @item set debug symtab-create
22662 @cindex symbol table creation
22663 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
22664 The default is off.
22665 @item show debug symtab-create
22666 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
22667 @item set debug target
22668 @cindex target debugging info
22669 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
22670 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
22671 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
22672 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
22673 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
22674 @item show debug target
22675 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
22676 info.
22677 @item set debug timestamp
22678 @cindex timestampping debugging info
22679 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
22680 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
22681 message.
22682 @item show debug timestamp
22683 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
22684 debugging info.
22685 @item set debugvarobj
22686 @cindex variable object debugging info
22687 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
22688 info. The default is off.
22689 @item show debugvarobj
22690 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
22691 debugging info.
22692 @item set debug xml
22693 @cindex XML parser debugging
22694 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
22695 @item show debug xml
22696 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
22697 @end table
22698
22699 @node Other Misc Settings
22700 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
22701 @cindex miscellaneous settings
22702
22703 @table @code
22704 @kindex set interactive-mode
22705 @item set interactive-mode
22706 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
22707 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
22708 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
22709 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
22710 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
22711 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
22712 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
22713 is, non-interactively otherwise.
22714
22715 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
22716 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
22717 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
22718 inside a cygwin window.
22719
22720 @kindex show interactive-mode
22721 @item show interactive-mode
22722 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
22723 @end table
22724
22725 @node Extending GDB
22726 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
22727 @cindex extending GDB
22728
22729 @value{GDBN} provides three mechanisms for extension. The first is based
22730 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, the second is based on the
22731 Python scripting language, and the third is for defining new aliases of
22732 existing commands.
22733
22734 To facilitate the use of the first two extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
22735 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
22736 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
22737 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
22738 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
22739 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
22740
22741 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
22742 setting:
22743
22744 @table @code
22745 @kindex set script-extension
22746 @kindex show script-extension
22747 @item set script-extension off
22748 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
22749
22750 @item set script-extension soft
22751 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
22752 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
22753 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
22754 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
22755
22756 @item set script-extension strict
22757 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
22758 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
22759 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
22760
22761 @item show script-extension
22762 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
22763
22764 @end table
22765
22766 @menu
22767 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
22768 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22769 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
22770 @end menu
22771
22772 @node Sequences
22773 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
22774
22775 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
22776 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
22777 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
22778 files.
22779
22780 @menu
22781 * Define:: How to define your own commands
22782 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
22783 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
22784 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
22785 @end menu
22786
22787 @node Define
22788 @subsection User-defined Commands
22789
22790 @cindex user-defined command
22791 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
22792 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
22793 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
22794 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
22795 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
22796 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
22797
22798 @smallexample
22799 define adder
22800 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22801 end
22802 @end smallexample
22803
22804 @noindent
22805 To execute the command use:
22806
22807 @smallexample
22808 adder 1 2 3
22809 @end smallexample
22810
22811 @noindent
22812 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
22813 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
22814 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
22815 functions calls.
22816
22817 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
22818 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
22819 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
22820 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
22821
22822 @smallexample
22823 define adder
22824 if $argc == 2
22825 print $arg0 + $arg1
22826 end
22827 if $argc == 3
22828 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22829 end
22830 end
22831 @end smallexample
22832
22833 @table @code
22834
22835 @kindex define
22836 @item define @var{commandname}
22837 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
22838 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
22839 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
22840 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
22841 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
22842 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
22843
22844 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
22845 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
22846 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22847
22848 @kindex document
22849 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
22850 @item document @var{commandname}
22851 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
22852 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
22853 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
22854 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
22855 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
22856 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
22857
22858 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
22859 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
22860 does not change the documentation.
22861
22862 @kindex dont-repeat
22863 @cindex don't repeat command
22864 @item dont-repeat
22865 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
22866 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
22867 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
22868
22869 @kindex help user-defined
22870 @item help user-defined
22871 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
22872 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
22873 included (if any).
22874
22875 @kindex show user
22876 @item show user
22877 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
22878 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
22879 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
22880 definitions for all user-defined commands.
22881 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
22882
22883 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
22884 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
22885 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
22886 @item show max-user-call-depth
22887 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
22888 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
22889 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
22890 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
22891 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
22892 @end table
22893
22894 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
22895 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
22896
22897 When user-defined commands are executed, the
22898 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
22899 stops execution of the user-defined command.
22900
22901 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
22902 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
22903 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
22904 messages when used in a user-defined command.
22905
22906 @node Hooks
22907 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
22908 @cindex command hooks
22909 @cindex hooks, for commands
22910 @cindex hooks, pre-command
22911
22912 @kindex hook
22913 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
22914 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
22915 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
22916 before that command.
22917
22918 @cindex hooks, post-command
22919 @kindex hookpost
22920 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
22921 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
22922 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
22923 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
22924 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
22925
22926 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
22927 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
22928
22929 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
22930 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
22931
22932 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
22933 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
22934 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
22935 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
22936 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
22937
22938 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
22939 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
22940 you could define:
22941
22942 @smallexample
22943 define hook-stop
22944 handle SIGALRM nopass
22945 end
22946
22947 define hook-run
22948 handle SIGALRM pass
22949 end
22950
22951 define hook-continue
22952 handle SIGALRM pass
22953 end
22954 @end smallexample
22955
22956 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
22957 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
22958 you could define:
22959
22960 @smallexample
22961 define hook-echo
22962 echo <<<---
22963 end
22964
22965 define hookpost-echo
22966 echo --->>>\n
22967 end
22968
22969 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
22970 <<<---Hello World--->>>
22971 (@value{GDBP})
22972
22973 @end smallexample
22974
22975 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
22976 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
22977 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
22978 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
22979 @c or not?
22980 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
22981 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
22982 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
22983
22984 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
22985 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
22986 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
22987
22988 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
22989 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
22990
22991 @node Command Files
22992 @subsection Command Files
22993
22994 @cindex command files
22995 @cindex scripting commands
22996 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
22997 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
22998 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
22999 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
23000 terminal.
23001
23002 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
23003 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
23004 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
23005 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
23006 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
23007
23008 @table @code
23009 @kindex source
23010 @cindex execute commands from a file
23011 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
23012 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
23013 @end table
23014
23015 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
23016 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
23017 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
23018 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
23019 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
23020
23021 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
23022 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
23023 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
23024 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
23025 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
23026 is not relevant to scripts.
23027
23028 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
23029 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
23030 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
23031 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
23032 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
23033 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
23034 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
23035 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
23036 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
23037 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
23038 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
23039 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
23040 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
23041 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
23042
23043 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
23044 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
23045 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
23046
23047 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
23048 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
23049 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
23050 when called from command files.
23051
23052 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
23053 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
23054 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
23055 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
23056 the next command.
23057
23058 @smallexample
23059 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
23060 @end smallexample
23061
23062 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
23063 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
23064 would be directed to @file{log}.
23065
23066 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
23067 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
23068 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
23069 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
23070 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
23071 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
23072 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
23073 conditionally, etc.
23074
23075 @table @code
23076 @kindex if
23077 @kindex else
23078 @item if
23079 @itemx else
23080 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
23081 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
23082 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
23083 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
23084 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
23085 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
23086 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
23087
23088 @kindex while
23089 @item while
23090 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
23091 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
23092 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
23093 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
23094 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
23095 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
23096
23097 @kindex loop_break
23098 @item loop_break
23099 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
23100 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
23101 line.
23102
23103 @kindex loop_continue
23104 @item loop_continue
23105 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
23106 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
23107 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
23108 the controlling expression.
23109
23110 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
23111 @item end
23112 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
23113 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
23114 @end table
23115
23116
23117 @node Output
23118 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
23119
23120 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
23121 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
23122 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
23123 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
23124 want.
23125
23126 @table @code
23127 @kindex echo
23128 @item echo @var{text}
23129 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
23130 @c because it is not in ANSI.
23131 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
23132 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
23133 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
23134 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
23135 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
23136 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
23137 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
23138 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
23139 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
23140
23141 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
23142 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
23143
23144 @smallexample
23145 echo This is some text\n\
23146 which is continued\n\
23147 onto several lines.\n
23148 @end smallexample
23149
23150 produces the same output as
23151
23152 @smallexample
23153 echo This is some text\n
23154 echo which is continued\n
23155 echo onto several lines.\n
23156 @end smallexample
23157
23158 @kindex output
23159 @item output @var{expression}
23160 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
23161 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
23162 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
23163 on expressions.
23164
23165 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
23166 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
23167 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
23168 Formats}, for more information.
23169
23170 @kindex printf
23171 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
23172 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
23173 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
23174 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
23175 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
23176 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
23177 executing the code below:
23178
23179 @smallexample
23180 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
23181 @end smallexample
23182
23183 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
23184 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
23185 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
23186 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
23187 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
23188 printed.
23189
23190 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
23191
23192 @smallexample
23193 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
23194 @end smallexample
23195
23196 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
23197 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
23198 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
23199
23200 @itemize @bullet
23201 @item
23202 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
23203
23204 @item
23205 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
23206 width.
23207
23208 @item
23209 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
23210 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
23211
23212 @item
23213 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
23214 supported.
23215
23216 @item
23217 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
23218
23219 @item
23220 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
23221 @end itemize
23222
23223 @noindent
23224 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
23225 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
23226 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
23227 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
23228
23229 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
23230 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
23231 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
23232 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
23233 supported.
23234
23235 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
23236 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
23237 together with a floating point specifier.
23238 letters:
23239
23240 @itemize @bullet
23241 @item
23242 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
23243
23244 @item
23245 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
23246
23247 @item
23248 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
23249 @end itemize
23250
23251 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
23252 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
23253 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
23254
23255 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
23256 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
23257
23258 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
23259 @smallexample
23260 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
23261 @end smallexample
23262
23263 @kindex eval
23264 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
23265 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
23266 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
23267
23268 @end table
23269
23270 @node Python
23271 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
23272 @cindex python scripting
23273 @cindex scripting with python
23274
23275 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
23276 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
23277 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
23278
23279 @cindex python directory
23280 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
23281 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
23282 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
23283 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
23284 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
23285 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
23286
23287 Additionally, @value{GDBN} commands and convenience functions which
23288 are written in Python and are located in the
23289 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/command} or
23290 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/function} directories are
23291 automatically imported when @value{GDBN} starts.
23292
23293 @menu
23294 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
23295 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
23296 * Python Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
23297 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
23298 @end menu
23299
23300 @node Python Commands
23301 @subsection Python Commands
23302 @cindex python commands
23303 @cindex commands to access python
23304
23305 @value{GDBN} provides two commands for accessing the Python interpreter,
23306 and one related setting:
23307
23308 @table @code
23309 @kindex python-interactive
23310 @kindex pi
23311 @item python-interactive @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
23312 @itemx pi @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
23313 Without an argument, the @code{python-interactive} command can be used
23314 to start an interactive Python prompt. To return to @value{GDBN},
23315 type the @code{EOF} character (e.g., @kbd{Ctrl-D} on an empty prompt).
23316
23317 Alternatively, a single-line Python command can be given as an
23318 argument and evaluated. If the command is an expression, the result
23319 will be printed; otherwise, nothing will be printed. For example:
23320
23321 @smallexample
23322 (@value{GDBP}) python-interactive 2 + 3
23323 5
23324 @end smallexample
23325
23326 @kindex python
23327 @kindex py
23328 @item python @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
23329 @itemx py @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
23330 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
23331
23332 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
23333 argument as a Python command. For example:
23334
23335 @smallexample
23336 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
23337 23
23338 @end smallexample
23339
23340 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
23341 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
23342 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
23343 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
23344 containing @code{end}. For example:
23345
23346 @smallexample
23347 (@value{GDBP}) python
23348 Type python script
23349 End with a line saying just "end".
23350 >print 23
23351 >end
23352 23
23353 @end smallexample
23354
23355 @kindex set python print-stack
23356 @item set python print-stack
23357 By default, @value{GDBN} will print only the message component of a
23358 Python exception when an error occurs in a Python script. This can be
23359 controlled using @code{set python print-stack}: if @code{full}, then
23360 full Python stack printing is enabled; if @code{none}, then Python stack
23361 and message printing is disabled; if @code{message}, the default, only
23362 the message component of the error is printed.
23363 @end table
23364
23365 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
23366 interpreter:
23367
23368 @table @code
23369 @item source @file{script-name}
23370 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
23371 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
23372 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
23373
23374 @item python execfile ("script-name")
23375 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
23376 and thus is always available.
23377 @end table
23378
23379 @node Python API
23380 @subsection Python API
23381 @cindex python api
23382 @cindex programming in python
23383
23384 You can get quick online help for @value{GDBN}'s Python API by issuing
23385 the command @w{@kbd{python help (gdb)}}.
23386
23387 Functions and methods which have two or more optional arguments allow
23388 them to be specified using keyword syntax. This allows passing some
23389 optional arguments while skipping others. Example:
23390 @w{@code{gdb.some_function ('foo', bar = 1, baz = 2)}}.
23391
23392 @menu
23393 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
23394 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
23395 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
23396 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
23397 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
23398 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
23399 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
23400 * Type Printing API:: Pretty-printing types.
23401 * Frame Filter API:: Filtering Frames.
23402 * Frame Decorator API:: Decorating Frames.
23403 * Writing a Frame Filter:: Writing a Frame Filter.
23404 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
23405 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
23406 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
23407 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
23408 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
23409 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
23410 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
23411 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
23412 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
23413 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing blocks from Python.
23414 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
23415 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
23416 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
23417 * Finish Breakpoints in Python:: Setting Breakpoints on function return
23418 using Python.
23419 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
23420 * Architectures In Python:: Python representation of architectures.
23421 @end menu
23422
23423 @node Basic Python
23424 @subsubsection Basic Python
23425
23426 @cindex python stdout
23427 @cindex python pagination
23428 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
23429 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
23430 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
23431 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
23432 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
23433
23434 Some care must be taken when writing Python code to run in
23435 @value{GDBN}. Two things worth noting in particular:
23436
23437 @itemize @bullet
23438 @item
23439 @value{GDBN} install handlers for @code{SIGCHLD} and @code{SIGINT}.
23440 Python code must not override these, or even change the options using
23441 @code{sigaction}. If your program changes the handling of these
23442 signals, @value{GDBN} will most likely stop working correctly. Note
23443 that it is unfortunately common for GUI toolkits to install a
23444 @code{SIGCHLD} handler.
23445
23446 @item
23447 @value{GDBN} takes care to mark its internal file descriptors as
23448 close-on-exec. However, this cannot be done in a thread-safe way on
23449 all platforms. Your Python programs should be aware of this and
23450 should both create new file descriptors with the close-on-exec flag
23451 set and arrange to close unneeded file descriptors before starting a
23452 child process.
23453 @end itemize
23454
23455 @cindex python functions
23456 @cindex python module
23457 @cindex gdb module
23458 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
23459 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
23460 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
23461 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
23462
23463 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
23464 @defvar gdb.PYTHONDIR
23465 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
23466 @end defvar
23467
23468 @findex gdb.execute
23469 @defun gdb.execute (command @r{[}, from_tty @r{[}, to_string@r{]]})
23470 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
23471 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
23472 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
23473
23474 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
23475 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
23476 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
23477
23478 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
23479 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
23480 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
23481 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
23482 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
23483 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
23484 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
23485 @end defun
23486
23487 @findex gdb.breakpoints
23488 @defun gdb.breakpoints ()
23489 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
23490 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
23491 @end defun
23492
23493 @findex gdb.parameter
23494 @defun gdb.parameter (parameter)
23495 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
23496 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
23497 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
23498 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
23499
23500 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
23501 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
23502 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
23503 type, and returned.
23504 @end defun
23505
23506 @findex gdb.history
23507 @defun gdb.history (number)
23508 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
23509 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
23510 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
23511 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
23512 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
23513 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
23514 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
23515 raised.
23516
23517 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
23518 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
23519 @end defun
23520
23521 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
23522 @defun gdb.parse_and_eval (expression)
23523 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
23524 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
23525 @var{expression} must be a string.
23526
23527 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
23528 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
23529 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
23530 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
23531 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
23532 @end defun
23533
23534 @findex gdb.find_pc_line
23535 @defun gdb.find_pc_line (pc)
23536 Return the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object corresponding to the
23537 @var{pc} value. @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}. If an invalid
23538 value of @var{pc} is passed as an argument, then the @code{symtab} and
23539 @code{line} attributes of the returned @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object
23540 will be @code{None} and 0 respectively.
23541 @end defun
23542
23543 @findex gdb.post_event
23544 @defun gdb.post_event (event)
23545 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
23546 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
23547 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
23548 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
23549 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
23550 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
23551
23552 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
23553 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
23554 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
23555 this. For example:
23556
23557 @smallexample
23558 (@value{GDBP}) python
23559 >import threading
23560 >
23561 >class Writer():
23562 > def __init__(self, message):
23563 > self.message = message;
23564 > def __call__(self):
23565 > gdb.write(self.message)
23566 >
23567 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
23568 > def run (self):
23569 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
23570 >
23571 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
23572 > def run (self):
23573 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
23574 >
23575 >MyThread1().start()
23576 >MyThread2().start()
23577 >end
23578 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
23579 @end smallexample
23580 @end defun
23581
23582 @findex gdb.write
23583 @defun gdb.write (string @r{[}, stream{]})
23584 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
23585 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
23586 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
23587 values are:
23588
23589 @table @code
23590 @findex STDOUT
23591 @findex gdb.STDOUT
23592 @item gdb.STDOUT
23593 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
23594
23595 @findex STDERR
23596 @findex gdb.STDERR
23597 @item gdb.STDERR
23598 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
23599
23600 @findex STDLOG
23601 @findex gdb.STDLOG
23602 @item gdb.STDLOG
23603 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
23604 @end table
23605
23606 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
23607 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
23608 relevant stream.
23609 @end defun
23610
23611 @findex gdb.flush
23612 @defun gdb.flush ()
23613 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
23614 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
23615 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
23616 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
23617 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
23618 stream values are:
23619
23620 @table @code
23621 @findex STDOUT
23622 @findex gdb.STDOUT
23623 @item gdb.STDOUT
23624 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
23625
23626 @findex STDERR
23627 @findex gdb.STDERR
23628 @item gdb.STDERR
23629 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
23630
23631 @findex STDLOG
23632 @findex gdb.STDLOG
23633 @item gdb.STDLOG
23634 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
23635
23636 @end table
23637
23638 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
23639 call this function for the relevant stream.
23640 @end defun
23641
23642 @findex gdb.target_charset
23643 @defun gdb.target_charset ()
23644 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
23645 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
23646 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
23647 @end defun
23648
23649 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
23650 @defun gdb.target_wide_charset ()
23651 Return the name of the current target wide character set
23652 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
23653 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
23654 never returned.
23655 @end defun
23656
23657 @findex gdb.solib_name
23658 @defun gdb.solib_name (address)
23659 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
23660 as a string, or @code{None}.
23661 @end defun
23662
23663 @findex gdb.decode_line
23664 @defun gdb.decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
23665 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
23666 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
23667 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
23668 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
23669 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
23670 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
23671 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
23672 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
23673 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
23674 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
23675 @end defun
23676
23677 @defun gdb.prompt_hook (current_prompt)
23678 @anchor{prompt_hook}
23679
23680 If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
23681 assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
23682 @value{GDBN}.
23683
23684 The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
23685 prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
23686 a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
23687 string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
23688 the current prompt.
23689
23690 Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
23691 such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
23692 related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
23693 @end defun
23694
23695 @node Exception Handling
23696 @subsubsection Exception Handling
23697 @cindex python exceptions
23698 @cindex exceptions, python
23699
23700 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
23701 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
23702 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
23703 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
23704 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
23705 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
23706 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
23707
23708 @smallexample
23709 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
23710 Traceback (most recent call last):
23711 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
23712 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
23713 @end smallexample
23714
23715 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
23716 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
23717 Python exception depends on the error.
23718
23719 @ftable @code
23720 @item gdb.error
23721 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
23722 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
23723 versions of @value{GDBN}.
23724
23725 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
23726 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
23727
23728 @item gdb.MemoryError
23729 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
23730 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
23731
23732 @item KeyboardInterrupt
23733 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
23734 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
23735 @end ftable
23736
23737 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
23738 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
23739 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
23740 traceback.
23741
23742 @findex gdb.GdbError
23743 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
23744 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
23745 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
23746 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
23747 to handle this case. Example:
23748
23749 @smallexample
23750 (gdb) python
23751 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
23752 > """Greet the whole world."""
23753 > def __init__ (self):
23754 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
23755 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
23756 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
23757 > if len (argv) != 0:
23758 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
23759 > print "Hello, World!"
23760 >HelloWorld ()
23761 >end
23762 (gdb) hello-world 42
23763 hello-world takes no arguments
23764 @end smallexample
23765
23766 @node Values From Inferior
23767 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
23768 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
23769 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
23770
23771 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
23772 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
23773 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
23774 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
23775 fetching values when necessary.
23776
23777 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
23778 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
23779 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
23780
23781 @smallexample
23782 bar = some_val + 2
23783 @end smallexample
23784
23785 @noindent
23786 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
23787 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
23788
23789 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
23790 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
23791 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
23792 can access its @code{foo} element with:
23793
23794 @smallexample
23795 bar = some_val['foo']
23796 @end smallexample
23797
23798 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
23799
23800 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
23801 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
23802 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
23803 by that prototype.
23804
23805 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
23806 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
23807 execute this function, call it like so:
23808
23809 @smallexample
23810 result = some_val (10,20)
23811 @end smallexample
23812
23813 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
23814 @code{gdb.Value}.
23815
23816 The following attributes are provided:
23817
23818 @defvar Value.address
23819 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
23820 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
23821 this attribute holds @code{None}.
23822 @end defvar
23823
23824 @cindex optimized out value in Python
23825 @defvar Value.is_optimized_out
23826 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
23827 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
23828 @end defvar
23829
23830 @defvar Value.type
23831 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
23832 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
23833 @end defvar
23834
23835 @defvar Value.dynamic_type
23836 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
23837 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
23838 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
23839 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
23840 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
23841 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
23842 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
23843 type.
23844
23845 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
23846 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
23847 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
23848 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
23849 @end defvar
23850
23851 @defvar Value.is_lazy
23852 The value of this read-only boolean attribute is @code{True} if this
23853 @code{gdb.Value} has not yet been fetched from the inferior.
23854 @value{GDBN} does not fetch values until necessary, for efficiency.
23855 For example:
23856
23857 @smallexample
23858 myval = gdb.parse_and_eval ('somevar')
23859 @end smallexample
23860
23861 The value of @code{somevar} is not fetched at this time. It will be
23862 fetched when the value is needed, or when the @code{fetch_lazy}
23863 method is invoked.
23864 @end defvar
23865
23866 The following methods are provided:
23867
23868 @defun Value.__init__ (@var{val})
23869 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
23870 this object initializer. Specifically:
23871
23872 @table @asis
23873 @item Python boolean
23874 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
23875 language.
23876
23877 @item Python integer
23878 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
23879 current architecture.
23880
23881 @item Python long
23882 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
23883 current architecture.
23884
23885 @item Python float
23886 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
23887 current architecture.
23888
23889 @item Python string
23890 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
23891 target encoding.
23892
23893 @item @code{gdb.Value}
23894 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
23895
23896 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
23897 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
23898 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
23899 its result is used.
23900 @end table
23901 @end defun
23902
23903 @defun Value.cast (type)
23904 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
23905 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
23906 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
23907 reason, this method throws an exception.
23908 @end defun
23909
23910 @defun Value.dereference ()
23911 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
23912 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
23913 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
23914
23915 @smallexample
23916 int *foo;
23917 @end smallexample
23918
23919 @noindent
23920 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
23921 @code{foo} points to like this:
23922
23923 @smallexample
23924 bar = foo.dereference ()
23925 @end smallexample
23926
23927 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
23928 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
23929
23930 A similar function @code{Value.referenced_value} exists which also
23931 returns @code{gdb.Value} objects corresonding to the values pointed to
23932 by pointer values (and additionally, values referenced by reference
23933 values). However, the behavior of @code{Value.dereference}
23934 differs from @code{Value.referenced_value} by the fact that the
23935 behavior of @code{Value.dereference} is identical to applying the C
23936 unary operator @code{*} on a given value. For example, consider a
23937 reference to a pointer @code{ptrref}, declared in your C@t{++} program
23938 as
23939
23940 @smallexample
23941 typedef int *intptr;
23942 ...
23943 int val = 10;
23944 intptr ptr = &val;
23945 intptr &ptrref = ptr;
23946 @end smallexample
23947
23948 Though @code{ptrref} is a reference value, one can apply the method
23949 @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding
23950 to it and obtain a @code{gdb.Value} which is identical to that
23951 corresponding to @code{val}. However, if you apply the method
23952 @code{Value.referenced_value}, the result would be a @code{gdb.Value}
23953 object identical to that corresponding to @code{ptr}.
23954
23955 @smallexample
23956 py_ptrref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ptrref")
23957 py_val = py_ptrref.dereference ()
23958 py_ptr = py_ptrref.referenced_value ()
23959 @end smallexample
23960
23961 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23962 corresponding to @code{val}, and @code{py_ptr} is identical to that
23963 corresponding to @code{ptr}. In general, @code{Value.dereference} can
23964 be applied whenever the C unary operator @code{*} can be applied
23965 to the corresponding C value. For those cases where applying both
23966 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} is allowed,
23967 the results obtained need not be identical (as we have seen in the above
23968 example). The results are however identical when applied on
23969 @code{gdb.Value} objects corresponding to pointers (@code{gdb.Value}
23970 objects with type code @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}) in a C/C@t{++} program.
23971 @end defun
23972
23973 @defun Value.referenced_value ()
23974 For pointer or reference data types, this method returns a new
23975 @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the value referenced by the
23976 pointer/reference value. For pointer data types,
23977 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} produce
23978 identical results. The difference between these methods is that
23979 @code{Value.dereference} cannot get the values referenced by reference
23980 values. For example, consider a reference to an @code{int}, declared
23981 in your C@t{++} program as
23982
23983 @smallexample
23984 int val = 10;
23985 int &ref = val;
23986 @end smallexample
23987
23988 @noindent
23989 then applying @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object
23990 corresponding to @code{ref} will result in an error, while applying
23991 @code{Value.referenced_value} will result in a @code{gdb.Value} object
23992 identical to that corresponding to @code{val}.
23993
23994 @smallexample
23995 py_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ref")
23996 er_ref = py_ref.dereference () # Results in error
23997 py_val = py_ref.referenced_value () # Returns the referenced value
23998 @end smallexample
23999
24000 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
24001 corresponding to @code{val}.
24002 @end defun
24003
24004 @defun Value.dynamic_cast (type)
24005 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
24006 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
24007 @end defun
24008
24009 @defun Value.reinterpret_cast (type)
24010 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
24011 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
24012 @end defun
24013
24014 @defun Value.string (@r{[}encoding@r{[}, errors@r{[}, length@r{]]]})
24015 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
24016 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
24017 throw an exception.
24018
24019 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
24020 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
24021 language.
24022
24023 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
24024 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
24025 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
24026 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
24027 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
24028
24029 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
24030 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
24031 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
24032 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
24033 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
24034 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
24035 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
24036 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
24037 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
24038
24039 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
24040 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
24041
24042 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
24043 fetched and converted to the given length.
24044 @end defun
24045
24046 @defun Value.lazy_string (@r{[}encoding @r{[}, length@r{]]})
24047 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
24048 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
24049 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
24050
24051 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
24052 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
24053 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
24054 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
24055 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
24056
24057 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
24058 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
24059 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
24060 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
24061 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
24062 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
24063
24064 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
24065 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
24066 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
24067 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
24068 @end defun
24069
24070 @defun Value.fetch_lazy ()
24071 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is currently a lazy value
24072 (@code{gdb.Value.is_lazy} is @code{True}), then the value is
24073 fetched from the inferior. Any errors that occur in the process
24074 will produce a Python exception.
24075
24076 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is not a lazy value, this method
24077 has no effect.
24078
24079 This method does not return a value.
24080 @end defun
24081
24082
24083 @node Types In Python
24084 @subsubsection Types In Python
24085 @cindex types in Python
24086 @cindex Python, working with types
24087
24088 @tindex gdb.Type
24089 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
24090 @code{gdb.Type}.
24091
24092 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24093 module:
24094
24095 @findex gdb.lookup_type
24096 @defun gdb.lookup_type (name @r{[}, block@r{]})
24097 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
24098 type to look up. It must be a string.
24099
24100 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
24101 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
24102
24103 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
24104 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
24105 @end defun
24106
24107 If the type is a structure or class type, or an enum type, the fields
24108 of that type can be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}.
24109 For example, if @code{some_type} is a @code{gdb.Type} instance holding
24110 a structure type, you can access its @code{foo} field with:
24111
24112 @smallexample
24113 bar = some_type['foo']
24114 @end smallexample
24115
24116 @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Field} object; see below under the
24117 description of the @code{Type.fields} method for a description of the
24118 @code{gdb.Field} class.
24119
24120 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
24121
24122 @defvar Type.code
24123 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
24124 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
24125 @end defvar
24126
24127 @defvar Type.sizeof
24128 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
24129 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
24130 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
24131 @end defvar
24132
24133 @defvar Type.tag
24134 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
24135 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
24136 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
24137 @code{None} is returned.
24138 @end defvar
24139
24140 The following methods are provided:
24141
24142 @defun Type.fields ()
24143 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
24144 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
24145 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
24146 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
24147 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
24148 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
24149
24150 Each field is a @code{gdb.Field} object, with some pre-defined attributes:
24151 @table @code
24152 @item bitpos
24153 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
24154 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
24155 position of the field. For @code{enum} fields, the value is the
24156 enumeration member's integer representation.
24157
24158 @item name
24159 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
24160
24161 @item artificial
24162 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
24163 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
24164 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
24165
24166 @item is_base_class
24167 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
24168 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
24169 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
24170 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
24171
24172 @item bitsize
24173 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
24174 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
24175 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
24176
24177 @item type
24178 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
24179 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
24180 @end table
24181 @end defun
24182
24183 @defun Type.array (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
24184 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
24185 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
24186 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
24187 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
24188 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
24189 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
24190 @end defun
24191
24192 @defun Type.vector (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
24193 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a vector of this
24194 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
24195 the vector; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
24196 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the vector, and the
24197 second argument is the upper bound of the vector. A vector's length
24198 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
24199
24200 The difference between an @code{array} and a @code{vector} is that
24201 arrays behave like in C: when used in expressions they decay to a pointer
24202 to the first element whereas vectors are treated as first class values.
24203 @end defun
24204
24205 @defun Type.const ()
24206 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
24207 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
24208 @end defun
24209
24210 @defun Type.volatile ()
24211 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
24212 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
24213 @end defun
24214
24215 @defun Type.unqualified ()
24216 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
24217 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
24218 @code{volatile}.
24219 @end defun
24220
24221 @defun Type.range ()
24222 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
24223 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
24224 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
24225 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
24226 @end defun
24227
24228 @defun Type.reference ()
24229 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
24230 type.
24231 @end defun
24232
24233 @defun Type.pointer ()
24234 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
24235 type.
24236 @end defun
24237
24238 @defun Type.strip_typedefs ()
24239 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
24240 after removing all layers of typedefs.
24241 @end defun
24242
24243 @defun Type.target ()
24244 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
24245 of this type.
24246
24247 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
24248 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
24249 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
24250 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
24251 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
24252 target type is the aliased type.
24253
24254 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
24255 exception.
24256 @end defun
24257
24258 @defun Type.template_argument (n @r{[}, block@r{]})
24259 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
24260 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
24261 @var{n}th template argument.
24262
24263 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
24264 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
24265
24266 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
24267 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
24268 @end defun
24269
24270
24271 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
24272 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
24273 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24274
24275 @table @code
24276 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
24277 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
24278 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
24279 The type is a pointer.
24280
24281 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
24282 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
24283 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
24284 The type is an array.
24285
24286 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
24287 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
24288 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
24289 The type is a structure.
24290
24291 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
24292 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
24293 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
24294 The type is a union.
24295
24296 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
24297 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
24298 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
24299 The type is an enum.
24300
24301 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
24302 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
24303 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
24304 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
24305
24306 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
24307 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
24308 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
24309 The type is a function.
24310
24311 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
24312 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
24313 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
24314 The type is an integer type.
24315
24316 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
24317 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
24318 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
24319 A floating point type.
24320
24321 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
24322 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
24323 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
24324 The special type @code{void}.
24325
24326 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
24327 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
24328 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
24329 A Pascal set type.
24330
24331 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
24332 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
24333 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
24334 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
24335
24336 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
24337 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
24338 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
24339 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
24340 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
24341
24342 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
24343 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
24344 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
24345 A string of bits. It is deprecated.
24346
24347 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
24348 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
24349 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
24350 An unknown or erroneous type.
24351
24352 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
24353 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
24354 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
24355 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
24356
24357 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
24358 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
24359 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
24360 A pointer-to-member-function.
24361
24362 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
24363 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
24364 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
24365 A pointer-to-member.
24366
24367 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
24368 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
24369 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
24370 A reference type.
24371
24372 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
24373 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
24374 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
24375 A character type.
24376
24377 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
24378 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
24379 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
24380 A boolean type.
24381
24382 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
24383 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
24384 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
24385 A complex float type.
24386
24387 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
24388 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
24389 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
24390 A typedef to some other type.
24391
24392 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
24393 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
24394 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
24395 A C@t{++} namespace.
24396
24397 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
24398 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
24399 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
24400 A decimal floating point type.
24401
24402 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24403 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24404 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24405 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
24406 convenience functions.
24407 @end table
24408
24409 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
24410 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
24411
24412 @node Pretty Printing API
24413 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
24414
24415 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
24416
24417 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
24418 specific interface, defined here.
24419
24420 @defun pretty_printer.children (self)
24421 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
24422 children of the pretty-printer's value.
24423
24424 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
24425 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
24426 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
24427 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
24428 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
24429
24430 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
24431 as though the value has no children.
24432 @end defun
24433
24434 @defun pretty_printer.display_hint (self)
24435 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
24436 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
24437 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
24438 printed.
24439
24440 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
24441 string.
24442
24443 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
24444
24445 @table @samp
24446 @item array
24447 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
24448 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
24449 @code{set print array}.
24450
24451 @item map
24452 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
24453 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
24454 values.
24455
24456 @item string
24457 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
24458 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
24459 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
24460 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
24461 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
24462 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
24463 @end table
24464 @end defun
24465
24466 @defun pretty_printer.to_string (self)
24467 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
24468 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
24469
24470 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
24471 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
24472 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
24473 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
24474 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
24475 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
24476 the result of @code{children}.
24477
24478 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
24479
24480 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
24481 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
24482 another pretty-printer.
24483
24484 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
24485 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
24486 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
24487 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
24488 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
24489
24490 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
24491 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
24492
24493 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
24494 @end defun
24495
24496 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
24497 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
24498
24499 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
24500 @defun gdb.default_visualizer (value)
24501 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
24502 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
24503 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
24504 @end defun
24505
24506 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
24507 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
24508
24509 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
24510 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
24511 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
24512 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
24513 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
24514 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
24515 attribute.
24516
24517 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
24518 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
24519 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
24520 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
24521 @code{None}.
24522
24523 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
24524 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
24525 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
24526 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
24527 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
24528 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
24529 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
24530 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
24531 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
24532 object is returned.
24533
24534 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
24535 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
24536 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
24537 object is returned.
24538
24539 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
24540 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
24541 the pretty-printer is out of date.
24542
24543 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
24544 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
24545 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
24546 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
24547 with a broken printer.
24548
24549 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
24550 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
24551 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
24552 the printer is enabled.
24553
24554 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
24555 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
24556 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
24557
24558 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
24559 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
24560
24561 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
24562 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
24563 must provide.
24564
24565 @smallexample
24566 class StdStringPrinter(object):
24567 "Print a std::string"
24568
24569 def __init__(self, val):
24570 self.val = val
24571
24572 def to_string(self):
24573 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
24574
24575 def display_hint(self):
24576 return 'string'
24577 @end smallexample
24578
24579 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
24580 example above might be written.
24581
24582 @smallexample
24583 def str_lookup_function(val):
24584 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
24585 if lookup_tag == None:
24586 return None
24587 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
24588 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
24589 return StdStringPrinter(val)
24590 return None
24591 @end smallexample
24592
24593 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
24594 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
24595 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
24596 returns @code{None}.
24597
24598 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
24599 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
24600 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
24601 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
24602 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
24603 different names.
24604
24605 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}) such that it
24606 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
24607 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
24608 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
24609 the current objfile.
24610
24611 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
24612 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
24613 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
24614 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
24615 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
24616 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
24617 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
24618 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
24619 inferior.
24620
24621 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
24622 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
24623
24624 @smallexample
24625 def register_printers(objfile):
24626 objfile.pretty_printers.append(str_lookup_function)
24627 @end smallexample
24628
24629 @noindent
24630 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
24631
24632 @smallexample
24633 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
24634 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
24635 @end smallexample
24636
24637 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
24638 There are a few things that can be improved on.
24639 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
24640 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
24641 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
24642
24643 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
24644 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
24645 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
24646 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
24647 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
24648 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
24649
24650 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
24651 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
24652 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
24653
24654 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
24655
24656 @smallexample
24657 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
24658 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
24659 @end smallexample
24660
24661 Here are the printers:
24662
24663 @smallexample
24664 class fooPrinter:
24665 """Print a foo object."""
24666
24667 def __init__(self, val):
24668 self.val = val
24669
24670 def to_string(self):
24671 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
24672 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
24673
24674 class barPrinter:
24675 """Print a bar object."""
24676
24677 def __init__(self, val):
24678 self.val = val
24679
24680 def to_string(self):
24681 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
24682 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
24683 @end smallexample
24684
24685 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
24686 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
24687 the object that handles the lookup.
24688
24689 @smallexample
24690 import gdb.printing
24691
24692 def build_pretty_printer():
24693 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
24694 "my_library")
24695 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
24696 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
24697 return pp
24698 @end smallexample
24699
24700 And here is the autoload support:
24701
24702 @smallexample
24703 import gdb.printing
24704 import my_library
24705 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
24706 gdb.current_objfile(),
24707 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
24708 @end smallexample
24709
24710 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
24711 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
24712
24713 @smallexample
24714 (gdb) info pretty-printer
24715 my_library.so:
24716 my_library
24717 foo
24718 bar
24719 @end smallexample
24720
24721 @node Type Printing API
24722 @subsubsection Type Printing API
24723 @cindex type printing API for Python
24724
24725 @value{GDBN} provides a way for Python code to customize type display.
24726 This is mainly useful for substituting canonical typedef names for
24727 types.
24728
24729 @cindex type printer
24730 A @dfn{type printer} is just a Python object conforming to a certain
24731 protocol. A simple base class implementing the protocol is provided;
24732 see @ref{gdb.types}. A type printer must supply at least:
24733
24734 @defivar type_printer enabled
24735 A boolean which is True if the printer is enabled, and False
24736 otherwise. This is manipulated by the @code{enable type-printer}
24737 and @code{disable type-printer} commands.
24738 @end defivar
24739
24740 @defivar type_printer name
24741 The name of the type printer. This must be a string. This is used by
24742 the @code{enable type-printer} and @code{disable type-printer}
24743 commands.
24744 @end defivar
24745
24746 @defmethod type_printer instantiate (self)
24747 This is called by @value{GDBN} at the start of type-printing. It is
24748 only called if the type printer is enabled. This method must return a
24749 new object that supplies a @code{recognize} method, as described below.
24750 @end defmethod
24751
24752
24753 When displaying a type, say via the @code{ptype} command, @value{GDBN}
24754 will compute a list of type recognizers. This is done by iterating
24755 first over the per-objfile type printers (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}),
24756 followed by the per-progspace type printers (@pxref{Progspaces In
24757 Python}), and finally the global type printers.
24758
24759 @value{GDBN} will call the @code{instantiate} method of each enabled
24760 type printer. If this method returns @code{None}, then the result is
24761 ignored; otherwise, it is appended to the list of recognizers.
24762
24763 Then, when @value{GDBN} is going to display a type name, it iterates
24764 over the list of recognizers. For each one, it calls the recognition
24765 function, stopping if the function returns a non-@code{None} value.
24766 The recognition function is defined as:
24767
24768 @defmethod type_recognizer recognize (self, type)
24769 If @var{type} is not recognized, return @code{None}. Otherwise,
24770 return a string which is to be printed as the name of @var{type}.
24771 @var{type} will be an instance of @code{gdb.Type} (@pxref{Types In
24772 Python}).
24773 @end defmethod
24774
24775 @value{GDBN} uses this two-pass approach so that type printers can
24776 efficiently cache information without holding on to it too long. For
24777 example, it can be convenient to look up type information in a type
24778 printer and hold it for a recognizer's lifetime; if a single pass were
24779 done then type printers would have to make use of the event system in
24780 order to avoid holding information that could become stale as the
24781 inferior changed.
24782
24783 @node Frame Filter API
24784 @subsubsection Filtering Frames.
24785 @cindex frame filters api
24786
24787 Frame filters are Python objects that manipulate the visibility of a
24788 frame or frames when a backtrace (@pxref{Backtrace}) is printed by
24789 @value{GDBN}.
24790
24791 Only commands that print a backtrace, or, in the case of @sc{gdb/mi}
24792 commands (@pxref{GDB/MI}), those that return a collection of frames
24793 are affected. The commands that work with frame filters are:
24794
24795 @code{backtrace} (@pxref{backtrace-command,, The backtrace command}),
24796 @code{-stack-list-frames}
24797 (@pxref{-stack-list-frames,, The -stack-list-frames command}),
24798 @code{-stack-list-variables} (@pxref{-stack-list-variables,, The
24799 -stack-list-variables command}), @code{-stack-list-arguments}
24800 @pxref{-stack-list-arguments,, The -stack-list-arguments command}) and
24801 @code{-stack-list-locals} (@pxref{-stack-list-locals,, The
24802 -stack-list-locals command}).
24803
24804 A frame filter works by taking an iterator as an argument, applying
24805 actions to the contents of that iterator, and returning another
24806 iterator (or, possibly, the same iterator it was provided in the case
24807 where the filter does not perform any operations). Typically, frame
24808 filters utilize tools such as the Python's @code{itertools} module to
24809 work with and create new iterators from the source iterator.
24810 Regardless of how a filter chooses to apply actions, it must not alter
24811 the underlying @value{GDBN} frame or frames, or attempt to alter the
24812 call-stack within @value{GDBN}. This preserves data integrity within
24813 @value{GDBN}. Frame filters are executed on a priority basis and care
24814 should be taken that some frame filters may have been executed before,
24815 and that some frame filters will be executed after.
24816
24817 An important consideration when designing frame filters, and well
24818 worth reflecting upon, is that frame filters should avoid unwinding
24819 the call stack if possible. Some stacks can run very deep, into the
24820 tens of thousands in some cases. To search every frame when a frame
24821 filter executes may be too expensive at that step. The frame filter
24822 cannot know how many frames it has to iterate over, and it may have to
24823 iterate through them all. This ends up duplicating effort as
24824 @value{GDBN} performs this iteration when it prints the frames. If
24825 the filter can defer unwinding frames until frame decorators are
24826 executed, after the last filter has executed, it should. @xref{Frame
24827 Decorator API}, for more information on decorators. Also, there are
24828 examples for both frame decorators and filters in later chapters.
24829 @xref{Writing a Frame Filter}, for more information.
24830
24831 The Python dictionary @code{gdb.frame_filters} contains key/object
24832 pairings that comprise a frame filter. Frame filters in this
24833 dictionary are called @code{global} frame filters, and they are
24834 available when debugging all inferiors. These frame filters must
24835 register with the dictionary directly. In addition to the
24836 @code{global} dictionary, there are other dictionaries that are loaded
24837 with different inferiors via auto-loading (@pxref{Python
24838 Auto-loading}). The two other areas where frame filter dictionaries
24839 can be found are: @code{gdb.Progspace} which contains a
24840 @code{frame_filters} dictionary attribute, and each @code{gdb.Objfile}
24841 object which also contains a @code{frame_filters} dictionary
24842 attribute.
24843
24844 When a command is executed from @value{GDBN} that is compatible with
24845 frame filters, @value{GDBN} combines the @code{global},
24846 @code{gdb.Progspace} and all @code{gdb.Objfile} dictionaries currently
24847 loaded. All of the @code{gdb.Objfile} dictionaries are combined, as
24848 several frames, and thus several object files, might be in use.
24849 @value{GDBN} then prunes any frame filter whose @code{enabled}
24850 attribute is @code{False}. This pruned list is then sorted according
24851 to the @code{priority} attribute in each filter.
24852
24853 Once the dictionaries are combined, pruned and sorted, @value{GDBN}
24854 creates an iterator which wraps each frame in the call stack in a
24855 @code{FrameDecorator} object, and calls each filter in order. The
24856 output from the previous filter will always be the input to the next
24857 filter, and so on.
24858
24859 Frame filters have a mandatory interface which each frame filter must
24860 implement, defined here:
24861
24862 @defun FrameFilter.filter (iterator)
24863 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a frame filter when it has
24864 reached the order in the priority list for that filter.
24865
24866 For example, if there are four frame filters:
24867
24868 @smallexample
24869 Name Priority
24870
24871 Filter1 5
24872 Filter2 10
24873 Filter3 100
24874 Filter4 1
24875 @end smallexample
24876
24877 The order that the frame filters will be called is:
24878
24879 @smallexample
24880 Filter3 -> Filter2 -> Filter1 -> Filter4
24881 @end smallexample
24882
24883 Note that the output from @code{Filter3} is passed to the input of
24884 @code{Filter2}, and so on.
24885
24886 This @code{filter} method is passed a Python iterator. This iterator
24887 contains a sequence of frame decorators that wrap each
24888 @code{gdb.Frame}, or a frame decorator that wraps another frame
24889 decorator. The first filter that is executed in the sequence of frame
24890 filters will receive an iterator entirely comprised of default
24891 @code{FrameDecorator} objects. However, after each frame filter is
24892 executed, the previous frame filter may have wrapped some or all of
24893 the frame decorators with their own frame decorator. As frame
24894 decorators must also conform to a mandatory interface, these
24895 decorators can be assumed to act in a uniform manner (@pxref{Frame
24896 Decorator API}).
24897
24898 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
24899 protocol. Each item in the iterator must be an object conforming to
24900 the frame decorator interface. If a frame filter does not wish to
24901 perform any operations on this iterator, it should return that
24902 iterator untouched.
24903
24904 This method is not optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will
24905 raise and print an error.
24906 @end defun
24907
24908 @defvar FrameFilter.name
24909 The @code{name} attribute must be Python string which contains the
24910 name of the filter displayed by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Frame Filter
24911 Management}). This attribute may contain any combination of letters
24912 or numbers. Care should be taken to ensure that it is unique. This
24913 attribute is mandatory.
24914 @end defvar
24915
24916 @defvar FrameFilter.enabled
24917 The @code{enabled} attribute must be Python boolean. This attribute
24918 indicates to @value{GDBN} whether the frame filter is enabled, and
24919 should be considered when frame filters are executed. If
24920 @code{enabled} is @code{True}, then the frame filter will be executed
24921 when any of the backtrace commands detailed earlier in this chapter
24922 are executed. If @code{enabled} is @code{False}, then the frame
24923 filter will not be executed. This attribute is mandatory.
24924 @end defvar
24925
24926 @defvar FrameFilter.priority
24927 The @code{priority} attribute must be Python integer. This attribute
24928 controls the order of execution in relation to other frame filters.
24929 There are no imposed limits on the range of @code{priority} other than
24930 it must be a valid integer. The higher the @code{priority} attribute,
24931 the sooner the frame filter will be executed in relation to other
24932 frame filters. Although @code{priority} can be negative, it is
24933 recommended practice to assume zero is the lowest priority that a
24934 frame filter can be assigned. Frame filters that have the same
24935 priority are executed in unsorted order in that priority slot. This
24936 attribute is mandatory.
24937 @end defvar
24938
24939 @node Frame Decorator API
24940 @subsubsection Decorating Frames.
24941 @cindex frame decorator api
24942
24943 Frame decorators are sister objects to frame filters (@pxref{Frame
24944 Filter API}). Frame decorators are applied by a frame filter and can
24945 only be used in conjunction with frame filters.
24946
24947 The purpose of a frame decorator is to customize the printed content
24948 of each @code{gdb.Frame} in commands where frame filters are executed.
24949 This concept is called decorating a frame. Frame decorators decorate
24950 a @code{gdb.Frame} with Python code contained within each API call.
24951 This separates the actual data contained in a @code{gdb.Frame} from
24952 the decorated data produced by a frame decorator. This abstraction is
24953 necessary to maintain integrity of the data contained in each
24954 @code{gdb.Frame}.
24955
24956 Frame decorators have a mandatory interface, defined below.
24957
24958 @value{GDBN} already contains a frame decorator called
24959 @code{FrameDecorator}. This contains substantial amounts of
24960 boilerplate code to decorate the content of a @code{gdb.Frame}. It is
24961 recommended that other frame decorators inherit and extend this
24962 object, and only to override the methods needed.
24963
24964 @defun FrameDecorator.elided (self)
24965
24966 The @code{elided} method groups frames together in a hierarchical
24967 system. An example would be an interpreter, where multiple low-level
24968 frames make up a single call in the interpreted language. In this
24969 example, the frame filter would elide the low-level frames and present
24970 a single high-level frame, representing the call in the interpreted
24971 language, to the user.
24972
24973 The @code{elided} function must return an iterable and this iterable
24974 must contain the frames that are being elided wrapped in a suitable
24975 frame decorator. If no frames are being elided this function may
24976 return an empty iterable, or @code{None}. Elided frames are indented
24977 from normal frames in a @code{CLI} backtrace, or in the case of
24978 @code{GDB/MI}, are placed in the @code{children} field of the eliding
24979 frame.
24980
24981 It is the frame filter's task to also filter out the elided frames from
24982 the source iterator. This will avoid printing the frame twice.
24983 @end defun
24984
24985 @defun FrameDecorator.function (self)
24986
24987 This method returns the name of the function in the frame that is to
24988 be printed.
24989
24990 This method must return a Python string describing the function, or
24991 @code{None}.
24992
24993 If this function returns @code{None}, @value{GDBN} will not print any
24994 data for this field.
24995 @end defun
24996
24997 @defun FrameDecorator.address (self)
24998
24999 This method returns the address of the frame that is to be printed.
25000
25001 This method must return a Python numeric integer type of sufficient
25002 size to describe the address of the frame, or @code{None}.
25003
25004 If this function returns a @code{None}, @value{GDBN} will not print
25005 any data for this field.
25006 @end defun
25007
25008 @defun FrameDecorator.filename (self)
25009
25010 This method returns the filename and path associated with this frame.
25011
25012 This method must return a Python string containing the filename and
25013 the path to the object file backing the frame, or @code{None}.
25014
25015 If this function returns a @code{None}, @value{GDBN} will not print
25016 any data for this field.
25017 @end defun
25018
25019 @defun FrameDecorator.line (self):
25020
25021 This method returns the line number associated with the current
25022 position within the function addressed by this frame.
25023
25024 This method must return a Python integer type, or @code{None}.
25025
25026 If this function returns a @code{None}, @value{GDBN} will not print
25027 any data for this field.
25028 @end defun
25029
25030 @defun FrameDecorator.frame_args (self)
25031 @anchor{frame_args}
25032
25033 This method must return an iterable, or @code{None}. Returning an
25034 empty iterable, or @code{None} means frame arguments will not be
25035 printed for this frame. This iterable must contain objects that
25036 implement two methods, described here.
25037
25038 This object must implement a @code{argument} method which takes a
25039 single @code{self} parameter and must return a @code{gdb.Symbol}
25040 (@pxref{Symbols In Python}), or a Python string. The object must also
25041 implement a @code{value} method which takes a single @code{self}
25042 parameter and must return a @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From
25043 Inferior}), a Python value, or @code{None}. If the @code{value}
25044 method returns @code{None}, and the @code{argument} method returns a
25045 @code{gdb.Symbol}, @value{GDBN} will look-up and print the value of
25046 the @code{gdb.Symbol} automatically.
25047
25048 A brief example:
25049
25050 @smallexample
25051 class SymValueWrapper():
25052
25053 def __init__(self, symbol, value):
25054 self.sym = symbol
25055 self.val = value
25056
25057 def value(self):
25058 return self.val
25059
25060 def symbol(self):
25061 return self.sym
25062
25063 class SomeFrameDecorator()
25064 ...
25065 ...
25066 def frame_args(self):
25067 args = []
25068 try:
25069 block = self.inferior_frame.block()
25070 except:
25071 return None
25072
25073 # Iterate over all symbols in a block. Only add
25074 # symbols that are arguments.
25075 for sym in block:
25076 if not sym.is_argument:
25077 continue
25078 args.append(SymValueWrapper(sym,None))
25079
25080 # Add example synthetic argument.
25081 args.append(SymValueWrapper(``foo'', 42))
25082
25083 return args
25084 @end smallexample
25085 @end defun
25086
25087 @defun FrameDecorator.frame_locals (self)
25088
25089 This method must return an iterable or @code{None}. Returning an
25090 empty iterable, or @code{None} means frame local arguments will not be
25091 printed for this frame.
25092
25093 The object interface, the description of the various strategies for
25094 reading frame locals, and the example are largely similar to those
25095 described in the @code{frame_args} function, (@pxref{frame_args,,The
25096 frame filter frame_args function}). Below is a modified example:
25097
25098 @smallexample
25099 class SomeFrameDecorator()
25100 ...
25101 ...
25102 def frame_locals(self):
25103 vars = []
25104 try:
25105 block = self.inferior_frame.block()
25106 except:
25107 return None
25108
25109 # Iterate over all symbols in a block. Add all
25110 # symbols, except arguments.
25111 for sym in block:
25112 if sym.is_argument:
25113 continue
25114 vars.append(SymValueWrapper(sym,None))
25115
25116 # Add an example of a synthetic local variable.
25117 vars.append(SymValueWrapper(``bar'', 99))
25118
25119 return vars
25120 @end smallexample
25121 @end defun
25122
25123 @defun FrameDecorator.inferior_frame (self):
25124
25125 This method must return the underlying @code{gdb.Frame} that this
25126 frame decorator is decorating. @value{GDBN} requires the underlying
25127 frame for internal frame information to determine how to print certain
25128 values when printing a frame.
25129 @end defun
25130
25131 @node Writing a Frame Filter
25132 @subsubsection Writing a Frame Filter
25133 @cindex writing a frame filter
25134
25135 There are three basic elements that a frame filter must implement: it
25136 must correctly implement the documented interface (@pxref{Frame Filter
25137 API}), it must register itself with @value{GDBN}, and finally, it must
25138 decide if it is to work on the data provided by @value{GDBN}. In all
25139 cases, whether it works on the iterator or not, each frame filter must
25140 return an iterator. A bare-bones frame filter follows the pattern in
25141 the following example.
25142
25143 @smallexample
25144 import gdb
25145
25146 class FrameFilter():
25147
25148 def __init__(self):
25149 # Frame filter attribute creation.
25150 #
25151 # 'name' is the name of the filter that GDB will display.
25152 #
25153 # 'priority' is the priority of the filter relative to other
25154 # filters.
25155 #
25156 # 'enabled' is a boolean that indicates whether this filter is
25157 # enabled and should be executed.
25158
25159 self.name = "Foo"
25160 self.priority = 100
25161 self.enabled = True
25162
25163 # Register this frame filter with the global frame_filters
25164 # dictionary.
25165 gdb.frame_filters[self.name] = self
25166
25167 def filter(self, frame_iter):
25168 # Just return the iterator.
25169 return frame_iter
25170 @end smallexample
25171
25172 The frame filter in the example above implements the three
25173 requirements for all frame filters. It implements the API, self
25174 registers, and makes a decision on the iterator (in this case, it just
25175 returns the iterator untouched).
25176
25177 The first step is attribute creation and assignment, and as shown in
25178 the comments the filter assigns the following attributes: @code{name},
25179 @code{priority} and whether the filter should be enabled with the
25180 @code{enabled} attribute.
25181
25182 The second step is registering the frame filter with the dictionary or
25183 dictionaries that the frame filter has interest in. As shown in the
25184 comments, this filter just registers itself with the global dictionary
25185 @code{gdb.frame_filters}. As noted earlier, @code{gdb.frame_filters}
25186 is a dictionary that is initialized in the @code{gdb} module when
25187 @value{GDBN} starts. What dictionary a filter registers with is an
25188 important consideration. Generally, if a filter is specific to a set
25189 of code, it should be registered either in the @code{objfile} or
25190 @code{progspace} dictionaries as they are specific to the program
25191 currently loaded in @value{GDBN}. The global dictionary is always
25192 present in @value{GDBN} and is never unloaded. Any filters registered
25193 with the global dictionary will exist until @value{GDBN} exits. To
25194 avoid filters that may conflict, it is generally better to register
25195 frame filters against the dictionaries that more closely align with
25196 the usage of the filter currently in question. @xref{Python
25197 Auto-loading}, for further information on auto-loading Python scripts.
25198
25199 @value{GDBN} takes a hands-off approach to frame filter registration,
25200 therefore it is the frame filter's responsibility to ensure
25201 registration has occurred, and that any exceptions are handled
25202 appropriately. In particular, you may wish to handle exceptions
25203 relating to Python dictionary key uniqueness. It is mandatory that
25204 the dictionary key is the same as frame filter's @code{name}
25205 attribute. When a user manages frame filters (@pxref{Frame Filter
25206 Management}), the names @value{GDBN} will display are those contained
25207 in the @code{name} attribute.
25208
25209 The final step of this example is the implementation of the
25210 @code{filter} method. As shown in the example comments, we define the
25211 @code{filter} method and note that the method must take an iterator,
25212 and also must return an iterator. In this bare-bones example, the
25213 frame filter is not very useful as it just returns the iterator
25214 untouched. However this is a valid operation for frame filters that
25215 have the @code{enabled} attribute set, but decide not to operate on
25216 any frames.
25217
25218 In the next example, the frame filter operates on all frames and
25219 utilizes a frame decorator to perform some work on the frames.
25220 @xref{Frame Decorator API}, for further information on the frame
25221 decorator interface.
25222
25223 This example works on inlined frames. It highlights frames which are
25224 inlined by tagging them with an ``[inlined]'' tag. By applying a
25225 frame decorator to all frames with the Python @code{itertools imap}
25226 method, the example defers actions to the frame decorator. Frame
25227 decorators are only processed when @value{GDBN} prints the backtrace.
25228
25229 This introduces a new decision making topic: whether to perform
25230 decision making operations at the filtering step, or at the printing
25231 step. In this example's approach, it does not perform any filtering
25232 decisions at the filtering step beyond mapping a frame decorator to
25233 each frame. This allows the actual decision making to be performed
25234 when each frame is printed. This is an important consideration, and
25235 well worth reflecting upon when designing a frame filter. An issue
25236 that frame filters should avoid is unwinding the stack if possible.
25237 Some stacks can run very deep, into the tens of thousands in some
25238 cases. To search every frame to determine if it is inlined ahead of
25239 time may be too expensive at the filtering step. The frame filter
25240 cannot know how many frames it has to iterate over, and it would have
25241 to iterate through them all. This ends up duplicating effort as
25242 @value{GDBN} performs this iteration when it prints the frames.
25243
25244 In this example decision making can be deferred to the printing step.
25245 As each frame is printed, the frame decorator can examine each frame
25246 in turn when @value{GDBN} iterates. From a performance viewpoint,
25247 this is the most appropriate decision to make as it avoids duplicating
25248 the effort that the printing step would undertake anyway. Also, if
25249 there are many frame filters unwinding the stack during filtering, it
25250 can substantially delay the printing of the backtrace which will
25251 result in large memory usage, and a poor user experience.
25252
25253 @smallexample
25254 class InlineFilter():
25255
25256 def __init__(self):
25257 self.name = "InlinedFrameFilter"
25258 self.priority = 100
25259 self.enabled = True
25260 gdb.frame_filters[self.name] = self
25261
25262 def filter(self, frame_iter):
25263 frame_iter = itertools.imap(InlinedFrameDecorator,
25264 frame_iter)
25265 return frame_iter
25266 @end smallexample
25267
25268 This frame filter is somewhat similar to the earlier example, except
25269 that the @code{filter} method applies a frame decorator object called
25270 @code{InlinedFrameDecorator} to each element in the iterator. The
25271 @code{imap} Python method is light-weight. It does not proactively
25272 iterate over the iterator, but rather creates a new iterator which
25273 wraps the existing one.
25274
25275 Below is the frame decorator for this example.
25276
25277 @smallexample
25278 class InlinedFrameDecorator(FrameDecorator):
25279
25280 def __init__(self, fobj):
25281 super(InlinedFrameDecorator, self).__init__(fobj)
25282
25283 def function(self):
25284 frame = fobj.inferior_frame()
25285 name = str(frame.name())
25286
25287 if frame.type() == gdb.INLINE_FRAME:
25288 name = name + " [inlined]"
25289
25290 return name
25291 @end smallexample
25292
25293 This frame decorator only defines and overrides the @code{function}
25294 method. It lets the supplied @code{FrameDecorator}, which is shipped
25295 with @value{GDBN}, perform the other work associated with printing
25296 this frame.
25297
25298 The combination of these two objects create this output from a
25299 backtrace:
25300
25301 @smallexample
25302 #0 0x004004e0 in bar () at inline.c:11
25303 #1 0x00400566 in max [inlined] (b=6, a=12) at inline.c:21
25304 #2 0x00400566 in main () at inline.c:31
25305 @end smallexample
25306
25307 So in the case of this example, a frame decorator is applied to all
25308 frames, regardless of whether they may be inlined or not. As
25309 @value{GDBN} iterates over the iterator produced by the frame filters,
25310 @value{GDBN} executes each frame decorator which then makes a decision
25311 on what to print in the @code{function} callback. Using a strategy
25312 like this is a way to defer decisions on the frame content to printing
25313 time.
25314
25315 @subheading Eliding Frames
25316
25317 It might be that the above example is not desirable for representing
25318 inlined frames, and a hierarchical approach may be preferred. If we
25319 want to hierarchically represent frames, the @code{elided} frame
25320 decorator interface might be preferable.
25321
25322 This example approaches the issue with the @code{elided} method. This
25323 example is quite long, but very simplistic. It is out-of-scope for
25324 this section to write a complete example that comprehensively covers
25325 all approaches of finding and printing inlined frames. However, this
25326 example illustrates the approach an author might use.
25327
25328 This example comprises of three sections.
25329
25330 @smallexample
25331 class InlineFrameFilter():
25332
25333 def __init__(self):
25334 self.name = "InlinedFrameFilter"
25335 self.priority = 100
25336 self.enabled = True
25337 gdb.frame_filters[self.name] = self
25338
25339 def filter(self, frame_iter):
25340 return ElidingInlineIterator(frame_iter)
25341 @end smallexample
25342
25343 This frame filter is very similar to the other examples. The only
25344 difference is this frame filter is wrapping the iterator provided to
25345 it (@code{frame_iter}) with a custom iterator called
25346 @code{ElidingInlineIterator}. This again defers actions to when
25347 @value{GDBN} prints the backtrace, as the iterator is not traversed
25348 until printing.
25349
25350 The iterator for this example is as follows. It is in this section of
25351 the example where decisions are made on the content of the backtrace.
25352
25353 @smallexample
25354 class ElidingInlineIterator:
25355 def __init__(self, ii):
25356 self.input_iterator = ii
25357
25358 def __iter__(self):
25359 return self
25360
25361 def next(self):
25362 frame = next(self.input_iterator)
25363
25364 if frame.inferior_frame().type() != gdb.INLINE_FRAME:
25365 return frame
25366
25367 try:
25368 eliding_frame = next(self.input_iterator)
25369 except StopIteration:
25370 return frame
25371 return ElidingFrameDecorator(eliding_frame, [frame])
25372 @end smallexample
25373
25374 This iterator implements the Python iterator protocol. When the
25375 @code{next} function is called (when @value{GDBN} prints each frame),
25376 the iterator checks if this frame decorator, @code{frame}, is wrapping
25377 an inlined frame. If it is not, it returns the existing frame decorator
25378 untouched. If it is wrapping an inlined frame, it assumes that the
25379 inlined frame was contained within the next oldest frame,
25380 @code{eliding_frame}, which it fetches. It then creates and returns a
25381 frame decorator, @code{ElidingFrameDecorator}, which contains both the
25382 elided frame, and the eliding frame.
25383
25384 @smallexample
25385 class ElidingInlineDecorator(FrameDecorator):
25386
25387 def __init__(self, frame, elided_frames):
25388 super(ElidingInlineDecorator, self).__init__(frame)
25389 self.frame = frame
25390 self.elided_frames = elided_frames
25391
25392 def elided(self):
25393 return iter(self.elided_frames)
25394 @end smallexample
25395
25396 This frame decorator overrides one function and returns the inlined
25397 frame in the @code{elided} method. As before it lets
25398 @code{FrameDecorator} do the rest of the work involved in printing
25399 this frame. This produces the following output.
25400
25401 @smallexample
25402 #0 0x004004e0 in bar () at inline.c:11
25403 #2 0x00400529 in main () at inline.c:25
25404 #1 0x00400529 in max (b=6, a=12) at inline.c:15
25405 @end smallexample
25406
25407 In that output, @code{max} which has been inlined into @code{main} is
25408 printed hierarchically. Another approach would be to combine the
25409 @code{function} method, and the @code{elided} method to both print a
25410 marker in the inlined frame, and also show the hierarchical
25411 relationship.
25412
25413 @node Inferiors In Python
25414 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
25415 @cindex inferiors in Python
25416
25417 @findex gdb.Inferior
25418 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
25419 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
25420 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
25421 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
25422
25423 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25424 module:
25425
25426 @defun gdb.inferiors ()
25427 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
25428 @end defun
25429
25430 @defun gdb.selected_inferior ()
25431 Return an object representing the current inferior.
25432 @end defun
25433
25434 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
25435
25436 @defvar Inferior.num
25437 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
25438 @end defvar
25439
25440 @defvar Inferior.pid
25441 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
25442 system.
25443 @end defvar
25444
25445 @defvar Inferior.was_attached
25446 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
25447 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
25448 @end defvar
25449
25450 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
25451
25452 @defun Inferior.is_valid ()
25453 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
25454 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
25455 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
25456 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
25457 at the time the method is called.
25458 @end defun
25459
25460 @defun Inferior.threads ()
25461 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
25462 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
25463 return an empty tuple.
25464 @end defun
25465
25466 @findex Inferior.read_memory
25467 @defun Inferior.read_memory (address, length)
25468 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
25469 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
25470 or a string. It can be modified and given to the
25471 @code{Inferior.write_memory} function. In @code{Python} 3, the return
25472 value is a @code{memoryview} object.
25473 @end defun
25474
25475 @findex Inferior.write_memory
25476 @defun Inferior.write_memory (address, buffer @r{[}, length@r{]})
25477 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
25478 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
25479 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
25480 object returned from @code{Inferior.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
25481 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
25482 @end defun
25483
25484 @findex gdb.search_memory
25485 @defun Inferior.search_memory (address, length, pattern)
25486 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
25487 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
25488 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
25489 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
25490 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
25491 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
25492 the pattern could not be found.
25493 @end defun
25494
25495 @node Events In Python
25496 @subsubsection Events In Python
25497 @cindex inferior events in Python
25498
25499 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
25500 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
25501 the inferior.
25502
25503 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
25504 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
25505 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
25506
25507 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
25508 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
25509 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
25510 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
25511
25512 @defun EventRegistry.connect (object)
25513 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
25514 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
25515 @end defun
25516
25517 @defun EventRegistry.disconnect (object)
25518 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
25519 will no longer receive notifications of events.
25520 @end defun
25521
25522 Here is an example:
25523
25524 @smallexample
25525 def exit_handler (event):
25526 print "event type: exit"
25527 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
25528
25529 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
25530 @end smallexample
25531
25532 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
25533 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
25534 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
25535 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
25536 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
25537 the inferior.
25538
25539 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
25540 details of the events they emit:
25541
25542 @table @code
25543
25544 @item events.cont
25545 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
25546
25547 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
25548 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
25549 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
25550 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
25551 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
25552 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
25553
25554 @defvar ThreadEvent.inferior_thread
25555 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
25556 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
25557 @end defvar
25558
25559 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
25560
25561 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
25562 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
25563
25564 @item events.exited
25565 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
25566 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has two attributes:
25567 @defvar ExitedEvent.exit_code
25568 An integer representing the exit code, if available, which the inferior
25569 has returned. (The exit code could be unavailable if, for example,
25570 @value{GDBN} detaches from the inferior.) If the exit code is unavailable,
25571 the attribute does not exist.
25572 @end defvar
25573 @defvar ExitedEvent inferior
25574 A reference to the inferior which triggered the @code{exited} event.
25575 @end defvar
25576
25577 @item events.stop
25578 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
25579
25580 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
25581 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
25582 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
25583 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
25584
25585 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
25586
25587 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
25588 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
25589
25590 @defvar SignalEvent.stop_signal
25591 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
25592 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
25593 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
25594 @end defvar
25595
25596 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
25597
25598 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that one or more breakpoints have
25599 been hit, and has the following attributes:
25600
25601 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoints
25602 A sequence containing references to all the breakpoints (type
25603 @code{gdb.Breakpoint}) that were hit.
25604 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
25605 @end defvar
25606 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoint
25607 A reference to the first breakpoint that was hit.
25608 This function is maintained for backward compatibility and is now deprecated
25609 in favor of the @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent.breakpoints} attribute.
25610 @end defvar
25611
25612 @item events.new_objfile
25613 Emits @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} which indicates that a new object file has
25614 been loaded by @value{GDBN}. @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} has one attribute:
25615
25616 @defvar NewObjFileEvent.new_objfile
25617 A reference to the object file (@code{gdb.Objfile}) which has been loaded.
25618 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Objfile} object.
25619 @end defvar
25620
25621 @end table
25622
25623 @node Threads In Python
25624 @subsubsection Threads In Python
25625 @cindex threads in python
25626
25627 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
25628 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
25629 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
25630
25631 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25632 module:
25633
25634 @findex gdb.selected_thread
25635 @defun gdb.selected_thread ()
25636 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
25637 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
25638 @end defun
25639
25640 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
25641
25642 @defvar InferiorThread.name
25643 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
25644 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
25645 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
25646 returns @code{None}.
25647
25648 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
25649 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
25650 user-specified thread name.
25651 @end defvar
25652
25653 @defvar InferiorThread.num
25654 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
25655 @end defvar
25656
25657 @defvar InferiorThread.ptid
25658 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
25659 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
25660 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
25661 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
25662 does not use that identifier.
25663 @end defvar
25664
25665 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
25666
25667 @defun InferiorThread.is_valid ()
25668 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
25669 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
25670 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
25671 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
25672 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25673 @end defun
25674
25675 @defun InferiorThread.switch ()
25676 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
25677 by this object.
25678 @end defun
25679
25680 @defun InferiorThread.is_stopped ()
25681 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
25682 @end defun
25683
25684 @defun InferiorThread.is_running ()
25685 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
25686 @end defun
25687
25688 @defun InferiorThread.is_exited ()
25689 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
25690 @end defun
25691
25692 @node Commands In Python
25693 @subsubsection Commands In Python
25694
25695 @cindex commands in python
25696 @cindex python commands
25697 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
25698 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
25699 class, most commonly using a subclass.
25700
25701 @defun Command.__init__ (name, @var{command_class} @r{[}, @var{completer_class} @r{[}, @var{prefix}@r{]]})
25702 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
25703 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
25704 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
25705
25706 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
25707 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
25708 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
25709 an exception is raised.
25710
25711 There is no support for multi-line commands.
25712
25713 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
25714 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
25715 new command in the help system.
25716
25717 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
25718 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
25719 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
25720 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
25721 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
25722 error will occur when completion is attempted.
25723
25724 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
25725 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
25726 registered.
25727
25728 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
25729 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
25730 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
25731 not documented.'' is used.
25732 @end defun
25733
25734 @cindex don't repeat Python command
25735 @defun Command.dont_repeat ()
25736 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
25737 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
25738 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
25739 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
25740 @end defun
25741
25742 @defun Command.invoke (argument, from_tty)
25743 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
25744
25745 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
25746 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
25747
25748 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
25749 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
25750 that the command came from elsewhere.
25751
25752 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
25753 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
25754
25755 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
25756 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
25757 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
25758 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
25759 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
25760 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
25761 Example:
25762
25763 @smallexample
25764 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
25765 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
25766 @end smallexample
25767
25768 @end defun
25769
25770 @cindex completion of Python commands
25771 @defun Command.complete (text, word)
25772 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
25773 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
25774 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
25775 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
25776 complete}).
25777
25778 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
25779 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
25780 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
25781 using a word-breaking heuristic.
25782
25783 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
25784 @itemize @bullet
25785 @item
25786 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
25787 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
25788 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
25789 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
25790 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
25791 sequence are ignored.
25792
25793 @item
25794 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
25795 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
25796 function is invoked, and its result is used.
25797
25798 @item
25799 All other results are treated as though there were no available
25800 completions.
25801 @end itemize
25802 @end defun
25803
25804 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
25805 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
25806 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
25807 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
25808 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
25809 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
25810
25811 @table @code
25812 @findex COMMAND_NONE
25813 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
25814 @item gdb.COMMAND_NONE
25815 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
25816 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
25817
25818 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
25819 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
25820 @item gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
25821 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
25822 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
25823 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25824 commands in this category.
25825
25826 @findex COMMAND_DATA
25827 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
25828 @item gdb.COMMAND_DATA
25829 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
25830 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
25831 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
25832 in this category.
25833
25834 @findex COMMAND_STACK
25835 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
25836 @item gdb.COMMAND_STACK
25837 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
25838 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
25839 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
25840 list of commands in this category.
25841
25842 @findex COMMAND_FILES
25843 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
25844 @item gdb.COMMAND_FILES
25845 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
25846 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
25847 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25848 commands in this category.
25849
25850 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
25851 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
25852 @item gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
25853 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
25854 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
25855 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
25856 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
25857 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25858 commands in this category.
25859
25860 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
25861 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
25862 @item gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
25863 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
25864 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
25865 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
25866 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
25867
25868 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
25869 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
25870 @item gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
25871 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
25872 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
25873 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
25874 this category.
25875
25876 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
25877 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
25878 @item gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
25879 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
25880 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
25881 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25882 commands in this category.
25883
25884 @findex COMMAND_USER
25885 @findex gdb.COMMAND_USER
25886 @item gdb.COMMAND_USER
25887 The command is a general purpose command for the user, and typically
25888 does not fit in one of the other categories.
25889 Type @kbd{help user-defined} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see
25890 a list of commands in this category, as well as the list of gdb macros
25891 (@pxref{Sequences}).
25892
25893 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
25894 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
25895 @item gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
25896 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
25897 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
25898 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
25899 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
25900 category.
25901
25902 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
25903 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
25904 @item gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
25905 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
25906 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
25907 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25908 commands in this category.
25909 @end table
25910
25911 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
25912 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
25913 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
25914 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
25915
25916 @table @code
25917 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
25918 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
25919 @item gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
25920 This constant means that no completion should be done.
25921
25922 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
25923 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
25924 @item gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
25925 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
25926
25927 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
25928 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
25929 @item gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
25930 This constant means that location completion should be done.
25931 @xref{Specify Location}.
25932
25933 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
25934 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
25935 @item gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
25936 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
25937 command names.
25938
25939 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
25940 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
25941 @item gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
25942 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
25943 as the source.
25944 @end table
25945
25946 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
25947 implemented in Python:
25948
25949 @smallexample
25950 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
25951 """Greet the whole world."""
25952
25953 def __init__ (self):
25954 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
25955
25956 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
25957 print "Hello, World!"
25958
25959 HelloWorld ()
25960 @end smallexample
25961
25962 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
25963 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
25964 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
25965 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
25966
25967 @node Parameters In Python
25968 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
25969
25970 @cindex parameters in python
25971 @cindex python parameters
25972 @tindex gdb.Parameter
25973 @tindex Parameter
25974 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
25975 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
25976 class.
25977
25978 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
25979 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
25980
25981 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
25982 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
25983 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
25984 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
25985 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
25986
25987 @defun Parameter.__init__ (name, @var{command-class}, @var{parameter-class} @r{[}, @var{enum-sequence}@r{]})
25988 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
25989 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
25990 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
25991
25992 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
25993 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
25994 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
25995 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
25996 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
25997 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
25998 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
25999
26000 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
26001 can be found, an exception is raised.
26002
26003 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
26004 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
26005 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
26006
26007 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
26008 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
26009 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
26010 completion.
26011
26012 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
26013 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
26014 represent the possible values for the parameter.
26015
26016 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
26017 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
26018
26019 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
26020 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
26021 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
26022 @end defun
26023
26024 @defvar Parameter.set_doc
26025 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
26026 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
26027 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
26028 have no effect.
26029 @end defvar
26030
26031 @defvar Parameter.show_doc
26032 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
26033 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
26034 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
26035 have no effect.
26036 @end defvar
26037
26038 @defvar Parameter.value
26039 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
26040 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
26041 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
26042 @end defvar
26043
26044 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
26045 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
26046
26047 @defun Parameter.get_set_string (self)
26048 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
26049 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
26050 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
26051 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
26052 @end defun
26053
26054 @defun Parameter.get_show_string (self, svalue)
26055 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
26056 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
26057 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
26058 current value. This method must return a string.
26059 @end defun
26060
26061 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
26062 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
26063 module:
26064
26065 @table @code
26066 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
26067 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
26068 @item gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
26069 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
26070 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
26071
26072 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
26073 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
26074 @item gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
26075 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
26076 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
26077 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
26078
26079 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
26080 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
26081 @item gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
26082 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
26083 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
26084
26085 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
26086 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
26087 @item gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
26088 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
26089 to mean ``unlimited''.
26090
26091 @findex PARAM_STRING
26092 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
26093 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING
26094 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
26095 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
26096 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
26097 host charset.
26098
26099 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
26100 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
26101 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
26102 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
26103 passed through untranslated.
26104
26105 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
26106 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
26107 @item gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
26108 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
26109
26110 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
26111 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
26112 @item gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
26113 The value is a filename. This is just like
26114 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
26115
26116 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
26117 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
26118 @item gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
26119 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
26120 is interpreted as itself.
26121
26122 @findex PARAM_ENUM
26123 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
26124 @item gdb.PARAM_ENUM
26125 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
26126 constants provided when the parameter is created.
26127 @end table
26128
26129 @node Functions In Python
26130 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
26131
26132 @cindex writing convenience functions
26133 @cindex convenience functions in python
26134 @cindex python convenience functions
26135 @tindex gdb.Function
26136 @tindex Function
26137 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
26138 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
26139 class @code{gdb.Function}.
26140
26141 @defun Function.__init__ (name)
26142 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
26143 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
26144 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
26145 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
26146 the given @var{name}.
26147
26148 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
26149 string for the new class.
26150 @end defun
26151
26152 @defun Function.invoke (@var{*args})
26153 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
26154 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
26155 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
26156 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
26157 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
26158 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
26159 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
26160
26161 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
26162 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
26163 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
26164 @end defun
26165
26166 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
26167 be implemented in Python:
26168
26169 @smallexample
26170 class Greet (gdb.Function):
26171 """Return string to greet someone.
26172 Takes a name as argument."""
26173
26174 def __init__ (self):
26175 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
26176
26177 def invoke (self, name):
26178 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
26179
26180 Greet ()
26181 @end smallexample
26182
26183 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
26184 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
26185 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
26186 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
26187
26188 Now you can use the function in an expression:
26189
26190 @smallexample
26191 (gdb) print $greet("Bob")
26192 $1 = "Hello, Bob!"
26193 @end smallexample
26194
26195 @node Progspaces In Python
26196 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
26197
26198 @cindex progspaces in python
26199 @tindex gdb.Progspace
26200 @tindex Progspace
26201 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
26202 of an address space.
26203 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
26204 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
26205 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
26206 about program spaces.
26207
26208 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
26209 @code{gdb} module:
26210
26211 @findex gdb.current_progspace
26212 @defun gdb.current_progspace ()
26213 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
26214 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
26215 @end defun
26216
26217 @findex gdb.progspaces
26218 @defun gdb.progspaces ()
26219 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
26220 @end defun
26221
26222 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
26223 class.
26224
26225 @defvar Progspace.filename
26226 The file name of the progspace as a string.
26227 @end defvar
26228
26229 @defvar Progspace.pretty_printers
26230 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
26231 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
26232 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
26233 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
26234 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
26235 information.
26236 @end defvar
26237
26238 @defvar Progspace.type_printers
26239 The @code{type_printers} attribute is a list of type printer objects.
26240 @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information.
26241 @end defvar
26242
26243 @defvar Progspace.frame_filters
26244 The @code{frame_filters} attribute is a dictionary of frame filter
26245 objects. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for more information.
26246 @end defvar
26247
26248 @node Objfiles In Python
26249 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
26250
26251 @cindex objfiles in python
26252 @tindex gdb.Objfile
26253 @tindex Objfile
26254 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
26255 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
26256 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
26257 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
26258 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
26259
26260 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
26261 @code{gdb} module:
26262
26263 @findex gdb.current_objfile
26264 @defun gdb.current_objfile ()
26265 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
26266 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
26267 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
26268 this function returns @code{None}.
26269 @end defun
26270
26271 @findex gdb.objfiles
26272 @defun gdb.objfiles ()
26273 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
26274 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
26275 @end defun
26276
26277 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
26278 class.
26279
26280 @defvar Objfile.filename
26281 The file name of the objfile as a string.
26282 @end defvar
26283
26284 @defvar Objfile.pretty_printers
26285 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
26286 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
26287 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
26288 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
26289 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
26290 information.
26291 @end defvar
26292
26293 @defvar Objfile.type_printers
26294 The @code{type_printers} attribute is a list of type printer objects.
26295 @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information.
26296 @end defvar
26297
26298 @defvar Objfile.frame_filters
26299 The @code{frame_filters} attribute is a dictionary of frame filter
26300 objects. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for more information.
26301 @end defvar
26302
26303 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
26304
26305 @defun Objfile.is_valid ()
26306 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
26307 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
26308 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
26309 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
26310 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
26311 @end defun
26312
26313 @node Frames In Python
26314 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
26315
26316 @cindex frames in python
26317 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
26318 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
26319 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
26320 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
26321 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
26322 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
26323
26324 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
26325 operator, like:
26326
26327 @smallexample
26328 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
26329 True
26330 @end smallexample
26331
26332 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
26333
26334 @findex gdb.selected_frame
26335 @defun gdb.selected_frame ()
26336 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
26337 @end defun
26338
26339 @findex gdb.newest_frame
26340 @defun gdb.newest_frame ()
26341 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
26342 @end defun
26343
26344 @defun gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
26345 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
26346 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
26347 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
26348 @end defun
26349
26350 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
26351
26352 @defun Frame.is_valid ()
26353 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
26354 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
26355 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
26356 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
26357 @end defun
26358
26359 @defun Frame.name ()
26360 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
26361 obtained.
26362 @end defun
26363
26364 @defun Frame.architecture ()
26365 Returns the @code{gdb.Architecture} object corresponding to the frame's
26366 architecture. @xref{Architectures In Python}.
26367 @end defun
26368
26369 @defun Frame.type ()
26370 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
26371 @table @code
26372 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
26373 An ordinary stack frame.
26374
26375 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
26376 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
26377 inferior function call.
26378
26379 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
26380 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
26381 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
26382
26383 @item gdb.TAILCALL_FRAME
26384 A frame representing a tail call. @xref{Tail Call Frames}.
26385
26386 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
26387 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
26388 it calls into a signal handler.
26389
26390 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
26391 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
26392
26393 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
26394 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
26395 newest frame.
26396 @end table
26397 @end defun
26398
26399 @defun Frame.unwind_stop_reason ()
26400 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
26401 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
26402 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
26403 function to a string. The value can be one of:
26404
26405 @table @code
26406 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_REASON
26407 No particular reason (older frames should be available).
26408
26409 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NULL_ID
26410 The previous frame's analyzer returns an invalid result.
26411
26412 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_OUTERMOST
26413 This frame is the outermost.
26414
26415 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_UNAVAILABLE
26416 Cannot unwind further, because that would require knowing the
26417 values of registers or memory that have not been collected.
26418
26419 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_INNER_ID
26420 This frame ID looks like it ought to belong to a NEXT frame,
26421 but we got it for a PREV frame. Normally, this is a sign of
26422 unwinder failure. It could also indicate stack corruption.
26423
26424 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_SAME_ID
26425 This frame has the same ID as the previous one. That means
26426 that unwinding further would almost certainly give us another
26427 frame with exactly the same ID, so break the chain. Normally,
26428 this is a sign of unwinder failure. It could also indicate
26429 stack corruption.
26430
26431 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_SAVED_PC
26432 The frame unwinder did not find any saved PC, but we needed
26433 one to unwind further.
26434
26435 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR
26436 Any stop reason greater or equal to this value indicates some kind
26437 of error. This special value facilitates writing code that tests
26438 for errors in unwinding in a way that will work correctly even if
26439 the list of the other values is modified in future @value{GDBN}
26440 versions. Using it, you could write:
26441 @smallexample
26442 reason = gdb.selected_frame().unwind_stop_reason ()
26443 reason_str = gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
26444 if reason >= gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR:
26445 print "An error occured: %s" % reason_str
26446 @end smallexample
26447 @end table
26448
26449 @end defun
26450
26451 @defun Frame.pc ()
26452 Returns the frame's resume address.
26453 @end defun
26454
26455 @defun Frame.block ()
26456 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
26457 @end defun
26458
26459 @defun Frame.function ()
26460 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
26461 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
26462 @end defun
26463
26464 @defun Frame.older ()
26465 Return the frame that called this frame.
26466 @end defun
26467
26468 @defun Frame.newer ()
26469 Return the frame called by this frame.
26470 @end defun
26471
26472 @defun Frame.find_sal ()
26473 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
26474 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
26475 @end defun
26476
26477 @defun Frame.read_var (variable @r{[}, block@r{]})
26478 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
26479 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
26480 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
26481 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
26482 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
26483 @code{gdb.Block} object.
26484 @end defun
26485
26486 @defun Frame.select ()
26487 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
26488 Stack}.
26489 @end defun
26490
26491 @node Blocks In Python
26492 @subsubsection Accessing blocks from Python.
26493
26494 @cindex blocks in python
26495 @tindex gdb.Block
26496
26497 In @value{GDBN}, symbols are stored in blocks. A block corresponds
26498 roughly to a scope in the source code. Blocks are organized
26499 hierarchically, and are represented individually in Python as a
26500 @code{gdb.Block}. Blocks rely on debugging information being
26501 available.
26502
26503 A frame has a block. Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more
26504 in-depth discussion of frames.
26505
26506 The outermost block is known as the @dfn{global block}. The global
26507 block typically holds public global variables and functions.
26508
26509 The block nested just inside the global block is the @dfn{static
26510 block}. The static block typically holds file-scoped variables and
26511 functions.
26512
26513 @value{GDBN} provides a method to get a block's superblock, but there
26514 is currently no way to examine the sub-blocks of a block, or to
26515 iterate over all the blocks in a symbol table (@pxref{Symbol Tables In
26516 Python}).
26517
26518 Here is a short example that should help explain blocks:
26519
26520 @smallexample
26521 /* This is in the global block. */
26522 int global;
26523
26524 /* This is in the static block. */
26525 static int file_scope;
26526
26527 /* 'function' is in the global block, and 'argument' is
26528 in a block nested inside of 'function'. */
26529 int function (int argument)
26530 @{
26531 /* 'local' is in a block inside 'function'. It may or may
26532 not be in the same block as 'argument'. */
26533 int local;
26534
26535 @{
26536 /* 'inner' is in a block whose superblock is the one holding
26537 'local'. */
26538 int inner;
26539
26540 /* If this call is expanded by the compiler, you may see
26541 a nested block here whose function is 'inline_function'
26542 and whose superblock is the one holding 'inner'. */
26543 inline_function ();
26544 @}
26545 @}
26546 @end smallexample
26547
26548 A @code{gdb.Block} is iterable. The iterator returns the symbols
26549 (@pxref{Symbols In Python}) local to the block. Python programs
26550 should not assume that a specific block object will always contain a
26551 given symbol, since changes in @value{GDBN} features and
26552 infrastructure may cause symbols move across blocks in a symbol
26553 table.
26554
26555 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
26556 module:
26557
26558 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
26559 @defun gdb.block_for_pc (pc)
26560 Return the innermost @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc}
26561 value. If the block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified,
26562 the function will return @code{None}.
26563 @end defun
26564
26565 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
26566
26567 @defun Block.is_valid ()
26568 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
26569 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
26570 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
26571 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
26572 the time the method is called. The block's validity is also checked
26573 during iteration over symbols of the block.
26574 @end defun
26575
26576 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
26577
26578 @defvar Block.start
26579 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
26580 @end defvar
26581
26582 @defvar Block.end
26583 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
26584 @end defvar
26585
26586 @defvar Block.function
26587 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
26588 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
26589 attribute is not writable.
26590
26591 For ordinary function blocks, the superblock is the static block.
26592 However, you should note that it is possible for a function block to
26593 have a superblock that is not the static block -- for instance this
26594 happens for an inlined function.
26595 @end defvar
26596
26597 @defvar Block.superblock
26598 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
26599 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
26600 @end defvar
26601
26602 @defvar Block.global_block
26603 The global block associated with this block. This attribute is not
26604 writable.
26605 @end defvar
26606
26607 @defvar Block.static_block
26608 The static block associated with this block. This attribute is not
26609 writable.
26610 @end defvar
26611
26612 @defvar Block.is_global
26613 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a global block,
26614 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not
26615 writable.
26616 @end defvar
26617
26618 @defvar Block.is_static
26619 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a static block,
26620 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not writable.
26621 @end defvar
26622
26623 @node Symbols In Python
26624 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
26625
26626 @cindex symbols in python
26627 @tindex gdb.Symbol
26628
26629 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
26630 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
26631 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
26632 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
26633
26634 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
26635 module:
26636
26637 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
26638 @defun gdb.lookup_symbol (name @r{[}, block @r{[}, domain@r{]]})
26639 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
26640 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
26641 arguments.
26642
26643 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
26644 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
26645 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
26646 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
26647 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
26648 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
26649 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
26650 in this chapter.
26651
26652 The result is a tuple of two elements.
26653 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
26654 is not found.
26655 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
26656 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
26657 otherwise it is @code{False}.
26658 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
26659 @end defun
26660
26661 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
26662 @defun gdb.lookup_global_symbol (name @r{[}, domain@r{]})
26663 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
26664 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
26665
26666 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
26667 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
26668 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
26669 module and described later in this chapter.
26670
26671 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
26672 is not found.
26673 @end defun
26674
26675 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
26676
26677 @defvar Symbol.type
26678 The type of the symbol or @code{None} if no type is recorded.
26679 This attribute is represented as a @code{gdb.Type} object.
26680 @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not writable.
26681 @end defvar
26682
26683 @defvar Symbol.symtab
26684 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
26685 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
26686 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
26687 @end defvar
26688
26689 @defvar Symbol.line
26690 The line number in the source code at which the symbol was defined.
26691 This is an integer.
26692 @end defvar
26693
26694 @defvar Symbol.name
26695 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
26696 @end defvar
26697
26698 @defvar Symbol.linkage_name
26699 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
26700 This attribute is not writable.
26701 @end defvar
26702
26703 @defvar Symbol.print_name
26704 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
26705 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
26706 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
26707 @end defvar
26708
26709 @defvar Symbol.addr_class
26710 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
26711 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
26712 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
26713 @end defvar
26714
26715 @defvar Symbol.needs_frame
26716 This is @code{True} if evaluating this symbol's value requires a frame
26717 (@pxref{Frames In Python}) and @code{False} otherwise. Typically,
26718 local variables will require a frame, but other symbols will not.
26719 @end defvar
26720
26721 @defvar Symbol.is_argument
26722 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
26723 @end defvar
26724
26725 @defvar Symbol.is_constant
26726 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
26727 @end defvar
26728
26729 @defvar Symbol.is_function
26730 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
26731 @end defvar
26732
26733 @defvar Symbol.is_variable
26734 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
26735 @end defvar
26736
26737 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
26738
26739 @defun Symbol.is_valid ()
26740 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
26741 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
26742 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
26743 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
26744 invalid at the time the method is called.
26745 @end defun
26746
26747 @defun Symbol.value (@r{[}frame@r{]})
26748 Compute the value of the symbol, as a @code{gdb.Value}. For
26749 functions, this computes the address of the function, cast to the
26750 appropriate type. If the symbol requires a frame in order to compute
26751 its value, then @var{frame} must be given. If @var{frame} is not
26752 given, or if @var{frame} is invalid, then this method will throw an
26753 exception.
26754 @end defun
26755
26756 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
26757 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
26758
26759 @table @code
26760 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
26761 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
26762 @item gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
26763 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
26764 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
26765 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
26766 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
26767 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
26768 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
26769 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
26770 type values.
26771 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
26772 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
26773 @item gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
26774 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
26775 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
26776 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
26777 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
26778 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
26779 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
26780 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
26781 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
26782 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
26783 contains everything minus functions and types.
26784 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
26785 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
26786 @item gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
26787 This domain contains all functions.
26788 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
26789 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
26790 @item gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
26791 This domain contains all types.
26792 @end table
26793
26794 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
26795 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
26796
26797 @table @code
26798 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
26799 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
26800 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
26801 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
26802 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
26803 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
26804 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
26805 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
26806 Value is constant int.
26807 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
26808 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
26809 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
26810 Value is at a fixed address.
26811 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
26812 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
26813 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
26814 Value is in a register.
26815 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
26816 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
26817 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
26818 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
26819 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
26820 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
26821 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
26822 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
26823 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
26824 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
26825 offset, not the value itself.
26826 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
26827 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
26828 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
26829 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
26830 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
26831 itself.
26832 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
26833 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
26834 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
26835 Value is a local variable.
26836 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
26837 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
26838 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
26839 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
26840 have this class.
26841 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
26842 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
26843 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
26844 Value is a block.
26845 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
26846 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
26847 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
26848 Value is a byte-sequence.
26849 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
26850 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
26851 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
26852 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
26853 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
26854 referenced.
26855 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
26856 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
26857 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
26858 The value does not actually exist in the program.
26859 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
26860 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
26861 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
26862 The value's address is a computed location.
26863 @end table
26864
26865 @node Symbol Tables In Python
26866 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
26867
26868 @cindex symbol tables in python
26869 @tindex gdb.Symtab
26870 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
26871
26872 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
26873 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
26874 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
26875 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
26876 @xref{Frames In Python}.
26877
26878 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
26879 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
26880
26881 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
26882
26883 @defvar Symtab_and_line.symtab
26884 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
26885 This attribute is not writable.
26886 @end defvar
26887
26888 @defvar Symtab_and_line.pc
26889 Indicates the start of the address range occupied by code for the
26890 current source line. This attribute is not writable.
26891 @end defvar
26892
26893 @defvar Symtab_and_line.last
26894 Indicates the end of the address range occupied by code for the current
26895 source line. This attribute is not writable.
26896 @end defvar
26897
26898 @defvar Symtab_and_line.line
26899 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
26900 attribute is not writable.
26901 @end defvar
26902
26903 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
26904
26905 @defun Symtab_and_line.is_valid ()
26906 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
26907 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
26908 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
26909 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
26910 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
26911 invalid at the time the method is called.
26912 @end defun
26913
26914 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
26915
26916 @defvar Symtab.filename
26917 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
26918 @end defvar
26919
26920 @defvar Symtab.objfile
26921 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
26922 This attribute is not writable.
26923 @end defvar
26924
26925 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
26926
26927 @defun Symtab.is_valid ()
26928 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
26929 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
26930 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
26931 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
26932 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
26933 @end defun
26934
26935 @defun Symtab.fullname ()
26936 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
26937 @end defun
26938
26939 @defun Symtab.global_block ()
26940 Return the global block of the underlying symbol table.
26941 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
26942 @end defun
26943
26944 @defun Symtab.static_block ()
26945 Return the static block of the underlying symbol table.
26946 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
26947 @end defun
26948
26949 @node Breakpoints In Python
26950 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
26951
26952 @cindex breakpoints in python
26953 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
26954
26955 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
26956 class.
26957
26958 @defun Breakpoint.__init__ (spec @r{[}, type @r{[}, wp_class @r{[},internal@r{]]]})
26959 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
26960 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
26961 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
26962 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
26963 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
26964 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
26965 either: @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
26966 defaults to @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
26967 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
26968 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
26969 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
26970 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
26971 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
26972 @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
26973 assumed to be a @code{gdb.WP_WRITE} class.
26974 @end defun
26975
26976 @defun Breakpoint.stop (self)
26977 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
26978 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
26979 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
26980 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
26981 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
26982 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
26983 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
26984
26985 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
26986 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
26987 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
26988 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
26989 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
26990 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
26991
26992 You should not alter the execution state of the inferior (i.e.@:, step,
26993 next, etc.), alter the current frame context (i.e.@:, change the current
26994 active frame), or alter, add or delete any breakpoint. As a general
26995 rule, you should not alter any data within @value{GDBN} or the inferior
26996 at this time.
26997
26998 Example @code{stop} implementation:
26999
27000 @smallexample
27001 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
27002 def stop (self):
27003 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
27004 if inf_val == 3:
27005 return True
27006 return False
27007 @end smallexample
27008 @end defun
27009
27010 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
27011 @code{gdb} module:
27012
27013 @table @code
27014 @findex WP_READ
27015 @findex gdb.WP_READ
27016 @item gdb.WP_READ
27017 Read only watchpoint.
27018
27019 @findex WP_WRITE
27020 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
27021 @item gdb.WP_WRITE
27022 Write only watchpoint.
27023
27024 @findex WP_ACCESS
27025 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
27026 @item gdb.WP_ACCESS
27027 Read/Write watchpoint.
27028 @end table
27029
27030 @defun Breakpoint.is_valid ()
27031 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
27032 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
27033 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
27034 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
27035 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
27036 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
27037 @end defun
27038
27039 @defun Breakpoint.delete
27040 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
27041 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
27042 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
27043 @end defun
27044
27045 @defvar Breakpoint.enabled
27046 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
27047 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
27048 @end defvar
27049
27050 @defvar Breakpoint.silent
27051 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
27052 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
27053
27054 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
27055 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
27056 @code{silent} attribute.
27057 @end defvar
27058
27059 @defvar Breakpoint.thread
27060 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
27061 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
27062 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
27063 @end defvar
27064
27065 @defvar Breakpoint.task
27066 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
27067 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
27068 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
27069 is writable.
27070 @end defvar
27071
27072 @defvar Breakpoint.ignore_count
27073 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
27074 This attribute is writable.
27075 @end defvar
27076
27077 @defvar Breakpoint.number
27078 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
27079 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
27080 @end defvar
27081
27082 @defvar Breakpoint.type
27083 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
27084 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
27085 writable.
27086 @end defvar
27087
27088 @defvar Breakpoint.visible
27089 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
27090 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
27091 attribute is not writable.
27092 @end defvar
27093
27094 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
27095 module:
27096
27097 @table @code
27098 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
27099 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
27100 @item gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
27101 Normal code breakpoint.
27102
27103 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
27104 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
27105 @item gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
27106 Watchpoint breakpoint.
27107
27108 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
27109 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
27110 @item gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
27111 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
27112
27113 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
27114 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
27115 @item gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
27116 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
27117
27118 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
27119 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
27120 @item gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
27121 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
27122 @end table
27123
27124 @defvar Breakpoint.hit_count
27125 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
27126 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
27127 @end defvar
27128
27129 @defvar Breakpoint.location
27130 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
27131 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
27132 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
27133 attribute is not writable.
27134 @end defvar
27135
27136 @defvar Breakpoint.expression
27137 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
27138 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
27139 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
27140 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
27141 @end defvar
27142
27143 @defvar Breakpoint.condition
27144 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
27145 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
27146 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
27147 @end defvar
27148
27149 @defvar Breakpoint.commands
27150 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
27151 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
27152 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
27153 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
27154 @end defvar
27155
27156 @node Finish Breakpoints in Python
27157 @subsubsection Finish Breakpoints
27158
27159 @cindex python finish breakpoints
27160 @tindex gdb.FinishBreakpoint
27161
27162 A finish breakpoint is a temporary breakpoint set at the return address of
27163 a frame, based on the @code{finish} command. @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint}
27164 extends @code{gdb.Breakpoint}. The underlying breakpoint will be disabled
27165 and deleted when the execution will run out of the breakpoint scope (i.e.@:
27166 @code{Breakpoint.stop} or @code{FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope} triggered).
27167 Finish breakpoints are thread specific and must be create with the right
27168 thread selected.
27169
27170 @defun FinishBreakpoint.__init__ (@r{[}frame@r{]} @r{[}, internal@r{]})
27171 Create a finish breakpoint at the return address of the @code{gdb.Frame}
27172 object @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not provided, this defaults to the
27173 newest frame. The optional @var{internal} argument allows the breakpoint to
27174 become invisible to the user. @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for further
27175 details about this argument.
27176 @end defun
27177
27178 @defun FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope (self)
27179 In some circumstances (e.g.@: @code{longjmp}, C@t{++} exceptions, @value{GDBN}
27180 @code{return} command, @dots{}), a function may not properly terminate, and
27181 thus never hit the finish breakpoint. When @value{GDBN} notices such a
27182 situation, the @code{out_of_scope} callback will be triggered.
27183
27184 You may want to sub-class @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} and override this
27185 method:
27186
27187 @smallexample
27188 class MyFinishBreakpoint (gdb.FinishBreakpoint)
27189 def stop (self):
27190 print "normal finish"
27191 return True
27192
27193 def out_of_scope ():
27194 print "abnormal finish"
27195 @end smallexample
27196 @end defun
27197
27198 @defvar FinishBreakpoint.return_value
27199 When @value{GDBN} is stopped at a finish breakpoint and the frame
27200 used to build the @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} object had debug symbols, this
27201 attribute will contain a @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the return
27202 value of the function. The value will be @code{None} if the function return
27203 type is @code{void} or if the return value was not computable. This attribute
27204 is not writable.
27205 @end defvar
27206
27207 @node Lazy Strings In Python
27208 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
27209
27210 @cindex lazy strings in python
27211 @tindex gdb.LazyString
27212
27213 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
27214 encoded until it is needed.
27215
27216 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
27217 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
27218 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
27219 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
27220 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
27221 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
27222 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
27223 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
27224 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
27225
27226 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
27227
27228 @defun LazyString.value ()
27229 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
27230 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
27231 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
27232 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
27233 @end defun
27234
27235 @defvar LazyString.address
27236 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
27237 writable.
27238 @end defvar
27239
27240 @defvar LazyString.length
27241 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
27242 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
27243 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
27244 @end defvar
27245
27246 @defvar LazyString.encoding
27247 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
27248 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
27249 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
27250 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
27251 is not writable.
27252 @end defvar
27253
27254 @defvar LazyString.type
27255 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
27256 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
27257 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
27258 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
27259 writable.
27260 @end defvar
27261
27262 @node Architectures In Python
27263 @subsubsection Python representation of architectures
27264 @cindex Python architectures
27265
27266 @value{GDBN} uses architecture specific parameters and artifacts in a
27267 number of its various computations. An architecture is represented
27268 by an instance of the @code{gdb.Architecture} class.
27269
27270 A @code{gdb.Architecture} class has the following methods:
27271
27272 @defun Architecture.name ()
27273 Return the name (string value) of the architecture.
27274 @end defun
27275
27276 @defun Architecture.disassemble (@var{start_pc} @r{[}, @var{end_pc} @r{[}, @var{count}@r{]]})
27277 Return a list of disassembled instructions starting from the memory
27278 address @var{start_pc}. The optional arguments @var{end_pc} and
27279 @var{count} determine the number of instructions in the returned list.
27280 If both the optional arguments @var{end_pc} and @var{count} are
27281 specified, then a list of at most @var{count} disassembled instructions
27282 whose start address falls in the closed memory address interval from
27283 @var{start_pc} to @var{end_pc} are returned. If @var{end_pc} is not
27284 specified, but @var{count} is specified, then @var{count} number of
27285 instructions starting from the address @var{start_pc} are returned. If
27286 @var{count} is not specified but @var{end_pc} is specified, then all
27287 instructions whose start address falls in the closed memory address
27288 interval from @var{start_pc} to @var{end_pc} are returned. If neither
27289 @var{end_pc} nor @var{count} are specified, then a single instruction at
27290 @var{start_pc} is returned. For all of these cases, each element of the
27291 returned list is a Python @code{dict} with the following string keys:
27292
27293 @table @code
27294
27295 @item addr
27296 The value corresponding to this key is a Python long integer capturing
27297 the memory address of the instruction.
27298
27299 @item asm
27300 The value corresponding to this key is a string value which represents
27301 the instruction with assembly language mnemonics. The assembly
27302 language flavor used is the same as that specified by the current CLI
27303 variable @code{disassembly-flavor}. @xref{Machine Code}.
27304
27305 @item length
27306 The value corresponding to this key is the length (integer value) of the
27307 instruction in bytes.
27308
27309 @end table
27310 @end defun
27311
27312 @node Python Auto-loading
27313 @subsection Python Auto-loading
27314 @cindex Python auto-loading
27315
27316 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
27317 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
27318 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
27319 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file})
27320 and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27321 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
27322
27323 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
27324 debugging commands and scripts.
27325
27326 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
27327 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
27328
27329 @table @code
27330 @anchor{set auto-load python-scripts}
27331 @kindex set auto-load python-scripts
27332 @item set auto-load python-scripts [on|off]
27333 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
27334
27335 @anchor{show auto-load python-scripts}
27336 @kindex show auto-load python-scripts
27337 @item show auto-load python-scripts
27338 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
27339
27340 @anchor{info auto-load python-scripts}
27341 @kindex info auto-load python-scripts
27342 @cindex print list of auto-loaded Python scripts
27343 @item info auto-load python-scripts [@var{regexp}]
27344 Print the list of all Python scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
27345
27346 Also printed is the list of Python scripts that were mentioned in
27347 the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
27348 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
27349 This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
27350 tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
27351 an error message for each one is problematic.
27352
27353 If @var{regexp} is supplied only Python scripts with matching names are printed.
27354
27355 Example:
27356
27357 @smallexample
27358 (gdb) info auto-load python-scripts
27359 Loaded Script
27360 Yes py-section-script.py
27361 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
27362 No my-foo-pretty-printers.py
27363 @end smallexample
27364 @end table
27365
27366 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
27367 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
27368 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
27369 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers and frame-filters.
27370
27371 @menu
27372 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
27373 * dotdebug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27374 * Which flavor to choose?::
27375 @end menu
27376
27377 @node objfile-gdb.py file
27378 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
27379 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
27380
27381 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
27382 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
27383 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
27384 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
27385 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
27386 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
27387
27388 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
27389 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
27390
27391 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
27392 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
27393
27394 For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
27395 scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
27396 found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
27397 its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
27398 is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
27399 between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
27400
27401 @table @code
27402 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
27403 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
27404 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
27405 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
27406 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
27407 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
27408
27409 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
27410 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
27411
27412 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
27413 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
27414 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
27415 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
27416
27417 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
27418 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
27419 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
27420 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
27421 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
27422 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
27423 platform.
27424
27425 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
27426 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
27427 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
27428
27429 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
27430 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
27431 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
27432 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
27433 @end table
27434
27435 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
27436 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
27437 @var{objfile} is opened.
27438 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
27439 is evaluated more than once.
27440
27441 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
27442 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27443 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27444
27445 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
27446 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
27447 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
27448 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
27449
27450 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
27451 current directory and then along the source search path
27452 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
27453 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
27454 directory is not relevant to scripts.
27455
27456 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
27457 for example, this GCC macro:
27458
27459 @example
27460 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
27461 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
27462 asm("\
27463 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
27464 .byte 1\n\
27465 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
27466 .popsection \n\
27467 ");
27468 @end example
27469
27470 @noindent
27471 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
27472
27473 @example
27474 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
27475 @end example
27476
27477 The script name may include directories if desired.
27478
27479 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
27480 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
27481
27482 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
27483 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
27484
27485 @node Which flavor to choose?
27486 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
27487
27488 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
27489 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
27490
27491 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
27492
27493 @itemize @bullet
27494 @item
27495 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
27496
27497 @item
27498 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
27499
27500 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
27501 in the source search path.
27502 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
27503 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
27504
27505 @item
27506 Doesn't require source code additions.
27507 @end itemize
27508
27509 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
27510
27511 @itemize @bullet
27512 @item
27513 Works with static linking.
27514
27515 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
27516 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
27517 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
27518 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
27519
27520 @item
27521 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
27522
27523 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
27524 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
27525
27526 @item
27527 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
27528
27529 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
27530 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
27531 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
27532 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
27533 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
27534 top of the source tree to the source search path.
27535 @end itemize
27536
27537 @node Python modules
27538 @subsection Python modules
27539 @cindex python modules
27540
27541 @value{GDBN} comes with several modules to assist writing Python code.
27542
27543 @menu
27544 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
27545 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
27546 * gdb.prompt:: Utilities for prompt value substitution.
27547 @end menu
27548
27549 @node gdb.printing
27550 @subsubsection gdb.printing
27551 @cindex gdb.printing
27552
27553 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
27554 pretty-printers.
27555
27556 @table @code
27557 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
27558 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
27559 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
27560 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
27561
27562 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
27563 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
27564 corresponding API for the subprinters.
27565
27566 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
27567 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
27568 regular expressions.
27569 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
27570
27571 @item FlagEnumerationPrinter (@var{name})
27572 A pretty-printer which handles printing of @code{enum} values. Unlike
27573 @value{GDBN}'s built-in @code{enum} printing, this printer attempts to
27574 work properly when there is some overlap between the enumeration
27575 constants. @var{name} is the name of the printer and also the name of
27576 the @code{enum} type to look up.
27577
27578 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer}, @var{replace}=False)
27579 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
27580 If @var{replace} is @code{True} then any existing copy of the printer
27581 is replaced. Otherwise a @code{RuntimeError} exception is raised
27582 if a printer with the same name already exists.
27583 @end table
27584
27585 @node gdb.types
27586 @subsubsection gdb.types
27587 @cindex gdb.types
27588
27589 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
27590 @code{gdb.Type} objects.
27591
27592 @table @code
27593 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
27594 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
27595 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
27596
27597 C@t{++} example:
27598
27599 @smallexample
27600 typedef const int const_int;
27601 const_int foo (3);
27602 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
27603 int main () @{ return 0; @}
27604 @end smallexample
27605
27606 Then in gdb:
27607
27608 @smallexample
27609 (gdb) start
27610 (gdb) python import gdb.types
27611 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
27612 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
27613 int
27614 @end smallexample
27615
27616 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
27617 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
27618 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
27619
27620 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
27621 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
27622
27623 @item deep_items (@var{type})
27624 Returns a Python iterator similar to the standard
27625 @code{gdb.Type.iteritems} method, except that the iterator returned
27626 by @code{deep_items} will recursively traverse anonymous struct or
27627 union fields. For example:
27628
27629 @smallexample
27630 struct A
27631 @{
27632 int a;
27633 union @{
27634 int b0;
27635 int b1;
27636 @};
27637 @};
27638 @end smallexample
27639
27640 @noindent
27641 Then in @value{GDBN}:
27642 @smallexample
27643 (@value{GDBP}) python import gdb.types
27644 (@value{GDBP}) python struct_a = gdb.lookup_type("struct A")
27645 (@value{GDBP}) python print struct_a.keys ()
27646 @{['a', '']@}
27647 (@value{GDBP}) python print [k for k,v in gdb.types.deep_items(struct_a)]
27648 @{['a', 'b0', 'b1']@}
27649 @end smallexample
27650
27651 @item get_type_recognizers ()
27652 Return a list of the enabled type recognizers for the current context.
27653 This is called by @value{GDBN} during the type-printing process
27654 (@pxref{Type Printing API}).
27655
27656 @item apply_type_recognizers (recognizers, type_obj)
27657 Apply the type recognizers, @var{recognizers}, to the type object
27658 @var{type_obj}. If any recognizer returns a string, return that
27659 string. Otherwise, return @code{None}. This is called by
27660 @value{GDBN} during the type-printing process (@pxref{Type Printing
27661 API}).
27662
27663 @item register_type_printer (locus, printer)
27664 This is a convenience function to register a type printer.
27665 @var{printer} is the type printer to register. It must implement the
27666 type printer protocol. @var{locus} is either a @code{gdb.Objfile}, in
27667 which case the printer is registered with that objfile; a
27668 @code{gdb.Progspace}, in which case the printer is registered with
27669 that progspace; or @code{None}, in which case the printer is
27670 registered globally.
27671
27672 @item TypePrinter
27673 This is a base class that implements the type printer protocol. Type
27674 printers are encouraged, but not required, to derive from this class.
27675 It defines a constructor:
27676
27677 @defmethod TypePrinter __init__ (self, name)
27678 Initialize the type printer with the given name. The new printer
27679 starts in the enabled state.
27680 @end defmethod
27681
27682 @end table
27683
27684 @node gdb.prompt
27685 @subsubsection gdb.prompt
27686 @cindex gdb.prompt
27687
27688 This module provides a method for prompt value-substitution.
27689
27690 @table @code
27691 @item substitute_prompt (@var{string})
27692 Return @var{string} with escape sequences substituted by values. Some
27693 escape sequences take arguments. You can specify arguments inside
27694 ``@{@}'' immediately following the escape sequence.
27695
27696 The escape sequences you can pass to this function are:
27697
27698 @table @code
27699 @item \\
27700 Substitute a backslash.
27701 @item \e
27702 Substitute an ESC character.
27703 @item \f
27704 Substitute the selected frame; an argument names a frame parameter.
27705 @item \n
27706 Substitute a newline.
27707 @item \p
27708 Substitute a parameter's value; the argument names the parameter.
27709 @item \r
27710 Substitute a carriage return.
27711 @item \t
27712 Substitute the selected thread; an argument names a thread parameter.
27713 @item \v
27714 Substitute the version of GDB.
27715 @item \w
27716 Substitute the current working directory.
27717 @item \[
27718 Begin a sequence of non-printing characters. These sequences are
27719 typically used with the ESC character, and are not counted in the string
27720 length. Example: ``\[\e[0;34m\](gdb)\[\e[0m\]'' will return a
27721 blue-colored ``(gdb)'' prompt where the length is five.
27722 @item \]
27723 End a sequence of non-printing characters.
27724 @end table
27725
27726 For example:
27727
27728 @smallexample
27729 substitute_prompt (``frame: \f,
27730 print arguments: \p@{print frame-arguments@}'')
27731 @end smallexample
27732
27733 @exdent will return the string:
27734
27735 @smallexample
27736 "frame: main, print arguments: scalars"
27737 @end smallexample
27738 @end table
27739
27740 @node Aliases
27741 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
27742 @cindex aliases for commands
27743
27744 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
27745 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
27746 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
27747 that involves less typing.
27748
27749 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
27750 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
27751 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
27752
27753 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
27754 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
27755 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
27756
27757 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
27758
27759 @table @code
27760
27761 @kindex alias
27762 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
27763
27764 @end table
27765
27766 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
27767 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
27768 underscores.
27769
27770 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
27771 that is being aliased.
27772
27773 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
27774 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
27775 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
27776
27777 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
27778 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
27779
27780 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
27781 of a command so that there is less to type.
27782 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
27783 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
27784 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
27785 The following will accomplish this.
27786
27787 @smallexample
27788 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
27789 @end smallexample
27790
27791 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
27792 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
27793 for it with the @samp{document} command.
27794 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
27795
27796 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
27797 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
27798 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
27799 of a command.
27800
27801 @smallexample
27802 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
27803 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
27804 (gdb) set p elms 20
27805 (gdb) show p elms
27806 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
27807 @end smallexample
27808
27809 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
27810 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
27811 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
27812
27813 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
27814 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
27815
27816 @smallexample
27817 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
27818 @end smallexample
27819
27820 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
27821 alias for a more complex command.
27822 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
27823
27824 @smallexample
27825 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
27826 (gdb) spe 20
27827 @end smallexample
27828
27829 @node Interpreters
27830 @chapter Command Interpreters
27831 @cindex command interpreters
27832
27833 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
27834 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
27835 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
27836
27837 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
27838 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
27839 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
27840 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
27841
27842 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
27843 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
27844 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
27845 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
27846
27847 @table @code
27848 @item console
27849 @cindex console interpreter
27850 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
27851 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
27852 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
27853
27854 @item mi
27855 @cindex mi interpreter
27856 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
27857 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
27858 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
27859 Interface}.
27860
27861 @item mi2
27862 @cindex mi2 interpreter
27863 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
27864
27865 @item mi1
27866 @cindex mi1 interpreter
27867 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
27868
27869 @end table
27870
27871 @cindex invoke another interpreter
27872 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
27873 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
27874 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
27875 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
27876 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
27877 the IDE inoperable!
27878
27879 @kindex interpreter-exec
27880 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
27881 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
27882 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
27883 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
27884
27885 @smallexample
27886 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
27887 @end smallexample
27888
27889 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
27890 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
27891
27892 @node TUI
27893 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
27894 @cindex TUI
27895 @cindex Text User Interface
27896
27897 @menu
27898 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
27899 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
27900 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
27901 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
27902 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
27903 @end menu
27904
27905 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
27906 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
27907 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
27908 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
27909 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
27910 is available.
27911
27912 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
27913 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
27914 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
27915 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
27916 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
27917
27918 @node TUI Overview
27919 @section TUI Overview
27920
27921 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
27922
27923 @table @emph
27924 @item command
27925 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
27926 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
27927 managed using readline.
27928
27929 @item source
27930 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
27931 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
27932
27933 @item assembly
27934 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
27935
27936 @item register
27937 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
27938 when their values change.
27939 @end table
27940
27941 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
27942 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
27943 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
27944 indicates the breakpoint type:
27945
27946 @table @code
27947 @item B
27948 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
27949
27950 @item b
27951 Breakpoint which was never hit.
27952
27953 @item H
27954 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
27955
27956 @item h
27957 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
27958 @end table
27959
27960 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
27961
27962 @table @code
27963 @item +
27964 Breakpoint is enabled.
27965
27966 @item -
27967 Breakpoint is disabled.
27968 @end table
27969
27970 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
27971 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
27972 changes.
27973
27974 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
27975 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
27976 layouts:
27977
27978 @itemize @bullet
27979 @item
27980 source only,
27981
27982 @item
27983 assembly only,
27984
27985 @item
27986 source and assembly,
27987
27988 @item
27989 source and registers, or
27990
27991 @item
27992 assembly and registers.
27993 @end itemize
27994
27995 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
27996
27997 @table @emph
27998 @item target
27999 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
28000 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
28001
28002 @item process
28003 Gives the current process or thread number.
28004 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
28005
28006 @item function
28007 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
28008 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
28009 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
28010 the string @code{??} is displayed.
28011
28012 @item line
28013 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
28014 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
28015
28016 @item pc
28017 Indicates the current program counter address.
28018 @end table
28019
28020 @node TUI Keys
28021 @section TUI Key Bindings
28022 @cindex TUI key bindings
28023
28024 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
28025 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
28026 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
28027 @end ifset
28028 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
28029 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
28030 @end ifclear
28031 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
28032 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
28033
28034 @table @kbd
28035 @kindex C-x C-a
28036 @item C-x C-a
28037 @kindex C-x a
28038 @itemx C-x a
28039 @kindex C-x A
28040 @itemx C-x A
28041 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
28042 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
28043 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
28044 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
28045 The screen is then refreshed.
28046
28047 @kindex C-x 1
28048 @item C-x 1
28049 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
28050 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
28051 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
28052
28053 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
28054
28055 @kindex C-x 2
28056 @item C-x 2
28057 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
28058 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
28059 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
28060 previous layout and the new one.
28061
28062 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
28063
28064 @kindex C-x o
28065 @item C-x o
28066 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
28067 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
28068 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
28069
28070 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
28071
28072 @kindex C-x s
28073 @item C-x s
28074 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
28075 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
28076 @end table
28077
28078 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
28079
28080 @table @asis
28081 @kindex PgUp
28082 @item @key{PgUp}
28083 Scroll the active window one page up.
28084
28085 @kindex PgDn
28086 @item @key{PgDn}
28087 Scroll the active window one page down.
28088
28089 @kindex Up
28090 @item @key{Up}
28091 Scroll the active window one line up.
28092
28093 @kindex Down
28094 @item @key{Down}
28095 Scroll the active window one line down.
28096
28097 @kindex Left
28098 @item @key{Left}
28099 Scroll the active window one column left.
28100
28101 @kindex Right
28102 @item @key{Right}
28103 Scroll the active window one column right.
28104
28105 @kindex C-L
28106 @item @kbd{C-L}
28107 Refresh the screen.
28108 @end table
28109
28110 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
28111 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
28112 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
28113 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
28114 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
28115
28116 @node TUI Single Key Mode
28117 @section TUI Single Key Mode
28118 @cindex TUI single key mode
28119
28120 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
28121 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
28122 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
28123
28124 @table @kbd
28125 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
28126 @item c
28127 continue
28128
28129 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
28130 @item d
28131 down
28132
28133 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
28134 @item f
28135 finish
28136
28137 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
28138 @item n
28139 next
28140
28141 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
28142 @item q
28143 exit the SingleKey mode.
28144
28145 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
28146 @item r
28147 run
28148
28149 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
28150 @item s
28151 step
28152
28153 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
28154 @item u
28155 up
28156
28157 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
28158 @item v
28159 info locals
28160
28161 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
28162 @item w
28163 where
28164 @end table
28165
28166 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
28167 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
28168 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
28169 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
28170 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
28171 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
28172
28173
28174 @node TUI Commands
28175 @section TUI-specific Commands
28176 @cindex TUI commands
28177
28178 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
28179 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
28180 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
28181 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
28182
28183 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
28184 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
28185 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
28186 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
28187 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
28188
28189 @table @code
28190 @item info win
28191 @kindex info win
28192 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
28193
28194 @item layout next
28195 @kindex layout
28196 Display the next layout.
28197
28198 @item layout prev
28199 Display the previous layout.
28200
28201 @item layout src
28202 Display the source window only.
28203
28204 @item layout asm
28205 Display the assembly window only.
28206
28207 @item layout split
28208 Display the source and assembly window.
28209
28210 @item layout regs
28211 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
28212
28213 @item focus next
28214 @kindex focus
28215 Make the next window active for scrolling.
28216
28217 @item focus prev
28218 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
28219
28220 @item focus src
28221 Make the source window active for scrolling.
28222
28223 @item focus asm
28224 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
28225
28226 @item focus regs
28227 Make the register window active for scrolling.
28228
28229 @item focus cmd
28230 Make the command window active for scrolling.
28231
28232 @item refresh
28233 @kindex refresh
28234 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
28235
28236 @item tui reg float
28237 @kindex tui reg
28238 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
28239
28240 @item tui reg general
28241 Show the general registers in the register window.
28242
28243 @item tui reg next
28244 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
28245 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
28246 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
28247 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
28248
28249 @item tui reg system
28250 Show the system registers in the register window.
28251
28252 @item update
28253 @kindex update
28254 Update the source window and the current execution point.
28255
28256 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
28257 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
28258 @kindex winheight
28259 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
28260 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
28261 decrease it.
28262
28263 @item tabset @var{nchars}
28264 @kindex tabset
28265 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
28266 @end table
28267
28268 @node TUI Configuration
28269 @section TUI Configuration Variables
28270 @cindex TUI configuration variables
28271
28272 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
28273
28274 @table @code
28275 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
28276 @kindex set tui border-kind
28277 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
28278 The possible values are the following:
28279 @table @code
28280 @item space
28281 Use a space character to draw the border.
28282
28283 @item ascii
28284 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
28285
28286 @item acs
28287 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
28288 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
28289 @end table
28290
28291 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
28292 @kindex set tui border-mode
28293 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
28294 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
28295 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
28296 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
28297 @table @code
28298 @item normal
28299 Use normal attributes to display the border.
28300
28301 @item standout
28302 Use standout mode.
28303
28304 @item reverse
28305 Use reverse video mode.
28306
28307 @item half
28308 Use half bright mode.
28309
28310 @item half-standout
28311 Use half bright and standout mode.
28312
28313 @item bold
28314 Use extra bright or bold mode.
28315
28316 @item bold-standout
28317 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
28318 @end table
28319 @end table
28320
28321 @node Emacs
28322 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
28323
28324 @cindex Emacs
28325 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
28326 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
28327 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
28328 @value{GDBN}.
28329
28330 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
28331 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
28332 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
28333 created Emacs buffer.
28334 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
28335
28336 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
28337 things:
28338
28339 @itemize @bullet
28340 @item
28341 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
28342 the GUD buffer.
28343
28344 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
28345 and output done by the program you are debugging.
28346
28347 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
28348 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
28349 in this way.
28350
28351 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
28352 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
28353 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
28354 stop.
28355
28356 @item
28357 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
28358
28359 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
28360 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
28361 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
28362 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
28363 and the source.
28364
28365 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
28366 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
28367 @end itemize
28368
28369 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
28370 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
28371 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
28372 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
28373
28374 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
28375 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
28376 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
28377 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
28378 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
28379 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
28380 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
28381 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
28382 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
28383
28384 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
28385 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
28386 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
28387 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
28388
28389 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
28390 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
28391 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
28392 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
28393 one you want.
28394
28395 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
28396 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
28397
28398 @table @kbd
28399 @item C-h m
28400 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
28401
28402 @item C-c C-s
28403 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
28404 update the display window to show the current file and location.
28405
28406 @item C-c C-n
28407 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
28408 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
28409 to show the current file and location.
28410
28411 @item C-c C-i
28412 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
28413 display window accordingly.
28414
28415 @item C-c C-f
28416 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
28417 @code{finish} command.
28418
28419 @item C-c C-r
28420 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
28421 command.
28422
28423 @item C-c <
28424 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
28425 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
28426 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
28427
28428 @item C-c >
28429 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
28430 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
28431 @end table
28432
28433 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
28434 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
28435
28436 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
28437 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
28438 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
28439 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
28440 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
28441 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
28442 speedbar displays watch expressions.
28443
28444 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
28445 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
28446 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
28447 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
28448 frame.
28449
28450 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
28451 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
28452 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
28453 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
28454 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
28455 to correspond properly with the code.
28456
28457 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
28458 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
28459 Emacs Manual}).
28460
28461 @node GDB/MI
28462 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
28463
28464 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
28465
28466 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
28467 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
28468 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
28469 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
28470 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
28471 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
28472
28473 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
28474 in the form of a reference manual.
28475
28476 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
28477 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
28478 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
28479
28480 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
28481
28482 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
28483 This chapter uses the following notation:
28484
28485 @itemize @bullet
28486 @item
28487 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
28488
28489 @item
28490 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
28491 it may or may not be given.
28492
28493 @item
28494 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
28495 may repeat zero or more times.
28496
28497 @item
28498 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
28499 may repeat one or more times.
28500
28501 @item
28502 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
28503 @end itemize
28504
28505 @ignore
28506 @heading Dependencies
28507 @end ignore
28508
28509 @menu
28510 * GDB/MI General Design::
28511 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
28512 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
28513 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
28514 * GDB/MI Output Records::
28515 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
28516 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
28517 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
28518 * GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
28519 * GDB/MI Program Context::
28520 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
28521 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
28522 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
28523 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
28524 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
28525 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
28526 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
28527 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
28528 * GDB/MI File Commands::
28529 @ignore
28530 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
28531 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
28532 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
28533 @end ignore
28534 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
28535 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
28536 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
28537 @end menu
28538
28539 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28540 @node GDB/MI General Design
28541 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
28542 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
28543
28544 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
28545 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
28546 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
28547 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
28548 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
28549 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
28550 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
28551 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
28552 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
28553 a command and reported as part of that command response.
28554
28555 The important examples of notifications are:
28556 @itemize @bullet
28557
28558 @item
28559 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
28560 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
28561 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
28562 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
28563 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
28564 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
28565 command itself was successfully executed.
28566
28567 @item
28568 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
28569 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
28570 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
28571 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
28572 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
28573 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
28574
28575 @item
28576 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
28577 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
28578 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
28579 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
28580 orthogonal frontend design.
28581
28582 @end itemize
28583
28584 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
28585 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
28586 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
28587 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
28588 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
28589 the user interface.
28590
28591
28592 @menu
28593 * Context management::
28594 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
28595 * Thread groups::
28596 @end menu
28597
28598 @node Context management
28599 @subsection Context management
28600
28601 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
28602 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
28603 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
28604 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
28605 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
28606 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
28607 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
28608 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
28609 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
28610
28611 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
28612 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
28613 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
28614 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
28615 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
28616 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
28617 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
28618 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
28619 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
28620 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
28621 for thread and frame to operate on.
28622
28623 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
28624 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
28625 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
28626 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
28627 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
28628 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
28629 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
28630 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
28631 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
28632 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
28633
28634 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
28635 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
28636 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
28637 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
28638 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
28639 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
28640 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
28641 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
28642 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
28643 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
28644 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
28645 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
28646 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
28647 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
28648 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
28649 @samp{--frame} options.
28650
28651 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
28652 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
28653
28654 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
28655 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
28656 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
28657 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
28658 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
28659 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
28660 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
28661 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
28662 @code{-list-target-features} command.
28663
28664 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
28665 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
28666 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
28667 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
28668 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
28669 are running.
28670
28671 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
28672 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
28673 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
28674 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
28675 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
28676 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
28677 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
28678 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
28679 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
28680 @samp{--thread} option).
28681
28682 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
28683 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
28684 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
28685 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
28686
28687 @node Thread groups
28688 @subsection Thread groups
28689 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
28690 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
28691 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
28692 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
28693 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
28694
28695 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
28696 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
28697 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
28698 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
28699 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
28700 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
28701 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
28702 into processes.
28703
28704 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
28705 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
28706 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
28707 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
28708 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
28709 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
28710 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
28711 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
28712 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
28713 the members of specific thread group.
28714
28715 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
28716 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
28717 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
28718 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
28719 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
28720 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
28721 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
28722 after attaching to that thread group.
28723
28724 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
28725 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
28726 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
28727 such thread groups.
28728
28729 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28730 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
28731 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
28732
28733 @menu
28734 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
28735 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
28736 @end menu
28737
28738 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
28739 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
28740
28741 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
28742 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
28743 @table @code
28744 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
28745 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
28746
28747 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
28748 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
28749 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
28750
28751 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
28752 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
28753 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
28754
28755 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
28756 "any sequence of digits"
28757
28758 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
28759 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
28760
28761 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
28762 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
28763
28764 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
28765 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
28766
28767 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
28768 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
28769 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
28770
28771 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
28772 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
28773
28774 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
28775 @code{CR | CR-LF}
28776 @end table
28777
28778 @noindent
28779 Notes:
28780
28781 @itemize @bullet
28782 @item
28783 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
28784 output is described below.
28785
28786 @item
28787 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
28788 finishes.
28789
28790 @item
28791 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
28792 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
28793 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
28794 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
28795 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
28796 @end itemize
28797
28798 Pragmatics:
28799
28800 @itemize @bullet
28801 @item
28802 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
28803
28804 @item
28805 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
28806 @end itemize
28807
28808 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
28809 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
28810
28811 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
28812 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
28813 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
28814 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
28815 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
28816 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
28817
28818 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
28819 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
28820 @var{token}.
28821
28822 @table @code
28823 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
28824 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
28825
28826 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
28827 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
28828
28829 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
28830 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
28831
28832 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
28833 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
28834
28835 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
28836 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
28837
28838 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
28839 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
28840
28841 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
28842 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
28843
28844 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
28845 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
28846
28847 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
28848 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
28849
28850 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
28851 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
28852 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
28853
28854 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
28855 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
28856
28857 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
28858 @code{ @var{string} }
28859
28860 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
28861 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
28862
28863 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
28864 @code{@var{c-string}}
28865
28866 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
28867 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
28868
28869 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
28870 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
28871 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
28872
28873 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
28874 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
28875
28876 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
28877 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
28878
28879 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
28880 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
28881
28882 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
28883 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
28884
28885 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
28886 @code{CR | CR-LF}
28887
28888 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
28889 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
28890 @end table
28891
28892 @noindent
28893 Notes:
28894
28895 @itemize @bullet
28896 @item
28897 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
28898
28899 @item
28900 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
28901 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
28902 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
28903 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
28904 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
28905 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
28906 prior command.
28907
28908 @item
28909 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28910 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
28911 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
28912 prefixed by @samp{+}.
28913
28914 @item
28915 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28916 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
28917 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
28918 @samp{*}.
28919
28920 @item
28921 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28922 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
28923 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
28924 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
28925
28926 @item
28927 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28928 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
28929 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
28930 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
28931
28932 @item
28933 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28934 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
28935 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
28936
28937 @item
28938 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28939 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
28940 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
28941 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
28942
28943 @item
28944 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28945 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
28946 @var{values}.
28947
28948
28949 @end itemize
28950
28951 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
28952 details about the various output records.
28953
28954 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28955 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
28956 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
28957
28958 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
28959 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
28960
28961 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
28962 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
28963 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
28964 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
28965 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
28966 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
28967
28968 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
28969 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
28970 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
28971
28972 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28973 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
28974 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
28975 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
28976
28977 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
28978 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
28979
28980 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
28981 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
28982 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
28983 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
28984 might change.
28985
28986 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
28987 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
28988 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
28989 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
28990
28991 @itemize @bullet
28992 @item
28993 New MI commands may be added.
28994
28995 @item
28996 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
28997
28998 @item
28999 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
29000 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
29001
29002 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
29003 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
29004
29005 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
29006 @c resolve inconsistencies.
29007 @end itemize
29008
29009 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
29010 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
29011 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
29012 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
29013 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
29014
29015 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
29016 @c version?
29017
29018 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
29019 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
29020 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
29021 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
29022 @cindex mailing lists
29023
29024 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29025 @node GDB/MI Output Records
29026 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
29027
29028 @menu
29029 * GDB/MI Result Records::
29030 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
29031 * GDB/MI Async Records::
29032 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Information::
29033 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
29034 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
29035 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
29036 @end menu
29037
29038 @node GDB/MI Result Records
29039 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
29040
29041 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
29042 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
29043 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
29044 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
29045
29046 @table @code
29047 @findex ^done
29048 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
29049 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
29050 values.
29051
29052 @item "^running"
29053 @findex ^running
29054 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
29055 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
29056 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
29057 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
29058 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
29059 which threads are resumed.
29060
29061 @item "^connected"
29062 @findex ^connected
29063 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
29064
29065 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
29066 @findex ^error
29067 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
29068 error message.
29069
29070 @item "^exit"
29071 @findex ^exit
29072 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
29073
29074 @end table
29075
29076 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
29077 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
29078
29079 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
29080 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
29081 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
29082 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
29083 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
29084
29085 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
29086 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
29087 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
29088 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
29089 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
29090
29091 @table @code
29092 @item "~" @var{string-output}
29093 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
29094 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
29095
29096 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
29097 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
29098 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
29099 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
29100
29101 @item "&" @var{string-output}
29102 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
29103 internals.
29104 @end table
29105
29106 @node GDB/MI Async Records
29107 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
29108
29109 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
29110 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
29111 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
29112 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
29113 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
29114 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
29115
29116 The following is the list of possible async records:
29117
29118 @table @code
29119
29120 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
29121 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
29122 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
29123 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
29124 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
29125 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
29126 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
29127 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
29128 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
29129 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
29130
29131 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
29132 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
29133 following values:
29134
29135 @table @code
29136 @item breakpoint-hit
29137 A breakpoint was reached.
29138 @item watchpoint-trigger
29139 A watchpoint was triggered.
29140 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
29141 A read watchpoint was triggered.
29142 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
29143 An access watchpoint was triggered.
29144 @item function-finished
29145 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
29146 @item location-reached
29147 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
29148 @item watchpoint-scope
29149 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
29150 @item end-stepping-range
29151 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
29152 similar CLI command was accomplished.
29153 @item exited-signalled
29154 The inferior exited because of a signal.
29155 @item exited
29156 The inferior exited.
29157 @item exited-normally
29158 The inferior exited normally.
29159 @item signal-received
29160 A signal was received by the inferior.
29161 @item solib-event
29162 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
29163 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
29164 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
29165 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
29166 @item fork
29167 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
29168 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
29169 @item vfork
29170 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
29171 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
29172 @item syscall-entry
29173 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
29174 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
29175 @item syscall-entry
29176 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
29177 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
29178 @item exec
29179 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
29180 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
29181 @end table
29182
29183 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
29184 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
29185 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
29186 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
29187 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
29188 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
29189 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
29190 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
29191 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
29192 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
29193 if such information is not available.
29194
29195 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
29196 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
29197 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
29198 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
29199 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
29200 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
29201 cannot be used in any way.
29202
29203 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
29204 A thread group became associated with a running program,
29205 either because the program was just started or the thread group
29206 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
29207 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
29208 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
29209
29210 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
29211 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
29212 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
29213 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
29214 thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
29215 only when the inferior exited with some code.
29216
29217 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
29218 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
29219 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
29220 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
29221 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
29222
29223 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
29224 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
29225 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
29226 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
29227 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
29228 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
29229 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
29230
29231 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
29232 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
29233 that thread.
29234
29235 @item =library-loaded,...
29236 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
29237 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
29238 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
29239 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
29240 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
29241 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
29242 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
29243 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
29244 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
29245 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
29246 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
29247 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
29248 thread groups.
29249
29250 @item =library-unloaded,...
29251 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
29252 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
29253 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
29254 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
29255 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
29256 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
29257 thread groups.
29258
29259 @item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
29260 @itemx =traceframe-changed,end
29261 Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
29262 @var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
29263 frame is @var{tpnum}.
29264
29265 @item =tsv-created,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}
29266 Reports that the new trace state variable @var{name} is created with
29267 initial value @var{initial}.
29268
29269 @item =tsv-deleted,name=@var{name}
29270 @itemx =tsv-deleted
29271 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is deleted or all
29272 trace state variables are deleted.
29273
29274 @item =tsv-modified,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}[,current=@var{current}]
29275 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is modified with
29276 the initial value @var{initial}. The current value @var{current} of
29277 trace state variable is optional and is reported if the current
29278 value of trace state variable is known.
29279
29280 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
29281 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
29282 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
29283 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
29284 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
29285 user.
29286
29287 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
29288 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
29289 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
29290
29291 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
29292 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
29293
29294 @item =record-started,thread-group="@var{id}"
29295 @itemx =record-stopped,thread-group="@var{id}"
29296 Execution log recording was either started or stopped on an
29297 inferior. The @var{id} is the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread
29298 group corresponding to the affected inferior.
29299
29300 @item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
29301 Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
29302 changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
29303 the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
29304 For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
29305 is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
29306
29307 @item =memory-changed,thread-group=@var{id},addr=@var{addr},len=@var{len}[,type="code"]
29308 Reports that bytes from @var{addr} to @var{data} + @var{len} were
29309 written in an inferior. The @var{id} is the identifier of the
29310 thread group corresponding to the affected inferior. The optional
29311 @code{type="code"} part is reported if the memory written to holds
29312 executable code.
29313 @end table
29314
29315 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Information
29316 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Information
29317
29318 When @value{GDBN} reports information about a breakpoint, a
29319 tracepoint, a watchpoint, or a catchpoint, it uses a tuple with the
29320 following fields:
29321
29322 @table @code
29323 @item number
29324 The breakpoint number. For a breakpoint that represents one location
29325 of a multi-location breakpoint, this will be a dotted pair, like
29326 @samp{1.2}.
29327
29328 @item type
29329 The type of the breakpoint. For ordinary breakpoints this will be
29330 @samp{breakpoint}, but many values are possible.
29331
29332 @item catch-type
29333 If the type of the breakpoint is @samp{catchpoint}, then this
29334 indicates the exact type of catchpoint.
29335
29336 @item disp
29337 This is the breakpoint disposition---either @samp{del}, meaning that
29338 the breakpoint will be deleted at the next stop, or @samp{keep},
29339 meaning that the breakpoint will not be deleted.
29340
29341 @item enabled
29342 This indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled, in which case the
29343 value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
29344 Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
29345
29346 @item addr
29347 The address of the breakpoint. This may be a hexidecimal number,
29348 giving the address; or the string @samp{<PENDING>}, for a pending
29349 breakpoint; or the string @samp{<MULTIPLE>}, for a breakpoint with
29350 multiple locations. This field will not be present if no address can
29351 be determined. For example, a watchpoint does not have an address.
29352
29353 @item func
29354 If known, the function in which the breakpoint appears.
29355 If not known, this field is not present.
29356
29357 @item filename
29358 The name of the source file which contains this function, if known.
29359 If not known, this field is not present.
29360
29361 @item fullname
29362 The full file name of the source file which contains this function, if
29363 known. If not known, this field is not present.
29364
29365 @item line
29366 The line number at which this breakpoint appears, if known.
29367 If not known, this field is not present.
29368
29369 @item at
29370 If the source file is not known, this field may be provided. If
29371 provided, this holds the address of the breakpoint, possibly followed
29372 by a symbol name.
29373
29374 @item pending
29375 If this breakpoint is pending, this field is present and holds the
29376 text used to set the breakpoint, as entered by the user.
29377
29378 @item evaluated-by
29379 Where this breakpoint's condition is evaluated, either @samp{host} or
29380 @samp{target}.
29381
29382 @item thread
29383 If this is a thread-specific breakpoint, then this identifies the
29384 thread in which the breakpoint can trigger.
29385
29386 @item task
29387 If this breakpoint is restricted to a particular Ada task, then this
29388 field will hold the task identifier.
29389
29390 @item cond
29391 If the breakpoint is conditional, this is the condition expression.
29392
29393 @item ignore
29394 The ignore count of the breakpoint.
29395
29396 @item enable
29397 The enable count of the breakpoint.
29398
29399 @item traceframe-usage
29400 FIXME.
29401
29402 @item static-tracepoint-marker-string-id
29403 For a static tracepoint, the name of the static tracepoint marker.
29404
29405 @item mask
29406 For a masked watchpoint, this is the mask.
29407
29408 @item pass
29409 A tracepoint's pass count.
29410
29411 @item original-location
29412 The location of the breakpoint as originally specified by the user.
29413 This field is optional.
29414
29415 @item times
29416 The number of times the breakpoint has been hit.
29417
29418 @item installed
29419 This field is only given for tracepoints. This is either @samp{y},
29420 meaning that the tracepoint is installed, or @samp{n}, meaning that it
29421 is not.
29422
29423 @item what
29424 Some extra data, the exact contents of which are type-dependent.
29425
29426 @end table
29427
29428 For example, here is what the output of @code{-break-insert}
29429 (@pxref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}) might be:
29430
29431 @smallexample
29432 -> -break-insert main
29433 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29434 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
29435 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
29436 times="0"@}
29437 <- (gdb)
29438 @end smallexample
29439
29440 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
29441 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
29442
29443 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
29444 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
29445 fields:
29446
29447 @table @code
29448 @item level
29449 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
29450 zero. This field is always present.
29451
29452 @item func
29453 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
29454 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
29455
29456 @item addr
29457 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
29458
29459 @item file
29460 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
29461 address. This field may be absent.
29462
29463 @item line
29464 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
29465 may be absent.
29466
29467 @item from
29468 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
29469 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
29470
29471 @end table
29472
29473 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
29474 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
29475
29476 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
29477 uses a tuple with the following fields:
29478
29479 @table @code
29480 @item id
29481 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
29482 always present.
29483
29484 @item target-id
29485 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
29486
29487 @item details
29488 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
29489 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
29490 frontend. This field is optional.
29491
29492 @item state
29493 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
29494 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
29495
29496 @item core
29497 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
29498 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
29499 @end table
29500
29501 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
29502 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
29503
29504 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
29505 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
29506 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
29507 the @code{exception-name} field.
29508
29509 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29510 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
29511 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
29512 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
29513
29514 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
29515 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
29516 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
29517 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
29518
29519 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
29520 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
29521
29522 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
29523
29524 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
29525 information of the breakpoint.
29526
29527 @smallexample
29528 -> -break-insert main
29529 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29530 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
29531 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
29532 times="0"@}
29533 <- (gdb)
29534 @end smallexample
29535
29536 @subheading Program Execution
29537
29538 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
29539 reason that execution stopped.
29540
29541 @smallexample
29542 -> -exec-run
29543 <- ^running
29544 <- (gdb)
29545 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
29546 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
29547 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
29548 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
29549 <- (gdb)
29550 -> -exec-continue
29551 <- ^running
29552 <- (gdb)
29553 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
29554 <- (gdb)
29555 @end smallexample
29556
29557 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
29558
29559 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
29560
29561 @smallexample
29562 -> (gdb)
29563 <- -gdb-exit
29564 <- ^exit
29565 @end smallexample
29566
29567 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
29568 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
29569 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
29570 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
29571 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
29572 fails to exit in reasonable time.
29573
29574 @subheading A Bad Command
29575
29576 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
29577
29578 @smallexample
29579 -> -rubbish
29580 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
29581 <- (gdb)
29582 @end smallexample
29583
29584
29585 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29586 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
29587 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
29588
29589 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
29590 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
29591
29592 @subheading Motivation
29593
29594 The motivation for this collection of commands.
29595
29596 @subheading Introduction
29597
29598 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
29599
29600 @subheading Commands
29601
29602 For each command in the block, the following is described:
29603
29604 @subsubheading Synopsis
29605
29606 @smallexample
29607 -command @var{args}@dots{}
29608 @end smallexample
29609
29610 @subsubheading Result
29611
29612 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29613
29614 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
29615
29616 @subsubheading Example
29617
29618 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
29619 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
29620
29621
29622 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29623 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
29624 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
29625
29626 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
29627 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
29628 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
29629 breakpoints.
29630
29631 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
29632 @findex -break-after
29633
29634 @subsubheading Synopsis
29635
29636 @smallexample
29637 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
29638 @end smallexample
29639
29640 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
29641 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
29642 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
29643 @samp{-break-list} command below.
29644
29645 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29646
29647 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
29648
29649 @subsubheading Example
29650
29651 @smallexample
29652 (gdb)
29653 -break-insert main
29654 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29655 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
29656 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29657 times="0"@}
29658 (gdb)
29659 -break-after 1 3
29660 ~
29661 ^done
29662 (gdb)
29663 -break-list
29664 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29665 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29666 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29667 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29668 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29669 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29670 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29671 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29672 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29673 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
29674 (gdb)
29675 @end smallexample
29676
29677 @ignore
29678 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
29679 @findex -break-catch
29680 @end ignore
29681
29682 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
29683 @findex -break-commands
29684
29685 @subsubheading Synopsis
29686
29687 @smallexample
29688 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
29689 @end smallexample
29690
29691 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
29692 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
29693 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
29694 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
29695 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
29696 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
29697
29698 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29699
29700 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
29701
29702 @subsubheading Example
29703
29704 @smallexample
29705 (gdb)
29706 -break-insert main
29707 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29708 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
29709 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29710 times="0"@}
29711 (gdb)
29712 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
29713 ^done
29714 (gdb)
29715 @end smallexample
29716
29717 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
29718 @findex -break-condition
29719
29720 @subsubheading Synopsis
29721
29722 @smallexample
29723 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
29724 @end smallexample
29725
29726 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
29727 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
29728 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
29729 command below).
29730
29731 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29732
29733 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
29734
29735 @subsubheading Example
29736
29737 @smallexample
29738 (gdb)
29739 -break-condition 1 1
29740 ^done
29741 (gdb)
29742 -break-list
29743 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29744 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29745 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29746 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29747 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29748 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29749 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29750 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29751 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29752 line="5",cond="1",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
29753 (gdb)
29754 @end smallexample
29755
29756 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
29757 @findex -break-delete
29758
29759 @subsubheading Synopsis
29760
29761 @smallexample
29762 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29763 @end smallexample
29764
29765 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
29766 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
29767
29768 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29769
29770 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
29771
29772 @subsubheading Example
29773
29774 @smallexample
29775 (gdb)
29776 -break-delete 1
29777 ^done
29778 (gdb)
29779 -break-list
29780 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
29781 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29782 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29783 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29784 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29785 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29786 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29787 body=[]@}
29788 (gdb)
29789 @end smallexample
29790
29791 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
29792 @findex -break-disable
29793
29794 @subsubheading Synopsis
29795
29796 @smallexample
29797 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29798 @end smallexample
29799
29800 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
29801 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
29802
29803 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29804
29805 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
29806
29807 @subsubheading Example
29808
29809 @smallexample
29810 (gdb)
29811 -break-disable 2
29812 ^done
29813 (gdb)
29814 -break-list
29815 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29816 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29817 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29818 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29819 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29820 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29821 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29822 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
29823 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29824 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29825 (gdb)
29826 @end smallexample
29827
29828 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
29829 @findex -break-enable
29830
29831 @subsubheading Synopsis
29832
29833 @smallexample
29834 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29835 @end smallexample
29836
29837 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
29838
29839 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29840
29841 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
29842
29843 @subsubheading Example
29844
29845 @smallexample
29846 (gdb)
29847 -break-enable 2
29848 ^done
29849 (gdb)
29850 -break-list
29851 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29852 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29853 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29854 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29855 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29856 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29857 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29858 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29859 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29860 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29861 (gdb)
29862 @end smallexample
29863
29864 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
29865 @findex -break-info
29866
29867 @subsubheading Synopsis
29868
29869 @smallexample
29870 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
29871 @end smallexample
29872
29873 @c REDUNDANT???
29874 Get information about a single breakpoint.
29875
29876 The result is a table of breakpoints. @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint
29877 Information}, for details on the format of each breakpoint in the
29878 table.
29879
29880 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29881
29882 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
29883
29884 @subsubheading Example
29885 N.A.
29886
29887 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
29888 @findex -break-insert
29889
29890 @subsubheading Synopsis
29891
29892 @smallexample
29893 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
29894 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
29895 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
29896 @end smallexample
29897
29898 @noindent
29899 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
29900
29901 @itemize @bullet
29902 @item function
29903 @c @item +offset
29904 @c @item -offset
29905 @c @item linenum
29906 @item filename:linenum
29907 @item filename:function
29908 @item *address
29909 @end itemize
29910
29911 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
29912
29913 @table @samp
29914 @item -t
29915 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
29916 @item -h
29917 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
29918 @item -f
29919 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
29920 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
29921 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
29922 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
29923 cannot be parsed.
29924 @item -d
29925 Create a disabled breakpoint.
29926 @item -a
29927 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
29928 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
29929 @item -c @var{condition}
29930 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
29931 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
29932 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
29933 @item -p @var{thread-id}
29934 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
29935 @end table
29936
29937 @subsubheading Result
29938
29939 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
29940 resulting breakpoint.
29941
29942 Note: this format is open to change.
29943 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
29944
29945 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29946
29947 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
29948 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
29949
29950 @subsubheading Example
29951
29952 @smallexample
29953 (gdb)
29954 -break-insert main
29955 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
29956 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
29957 times="0"@}
29958 (gdb)
29959 -break-insert -t foo
29960 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
29961 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29962 times="0"@}
29963 (gdb)
29964 -break-list
29965 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29966 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29967 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29968 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29969 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29970 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29971 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29972 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29973 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
29974 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
29975 times="0"@},
29976 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
29977 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
29978 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29979 times="0"@}]@}
29980 (gdb)
29981 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
29982 @c ~int foo(int, int);
29983 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
29984 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29985 @c times="0"@}
29986 @c (gdb)
29987 @end smallexample
29988
29989 @subheading The @code{-dprintf-insert} Command
29990 @findex -dprintf-insert
29991
29992 @subsubheading Synopsis
29993
29994 @smallexample
29995 -dprintf-insert [ -t ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
29996 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
29997 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ] [ @var{format} ]
29998 [ @var{argument} ]
29999 @end smallexample
30000
30001 @noindent
30002 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
30003
30004 @itemize @bullet
30005 @item @var{function}
30006 @c @item +offset
30007 @c @item -offset
30008 @c @item @var{linenum}
30009 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
30010 @item @var{filename}:function
30011 @item *@var{address}
30012 @end itemize
30013
30014 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
30015
30016 @table @samp
30017 @item -t
30018 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
30019 @item -f
30020 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example, if it
30021 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
30022 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
30023 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
30024 cannot be parsed.
30025 @item -d
30026 Create a disabled breakpoint.
30027 @item -c @var{condition}
30028 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
30029 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
30030 Set the ignore count of the breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ignore count})
30031 to @var{ignore-count}.
30032 @item -p @var{thread-id}
30033 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
30034 @end table
30035
30036 @subsubheading Result
30037
30038 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
30039 resulting breakpoint.
30040
30041 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
30042
30043 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30044
30045 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dprintf}.
30046
30047 @subsubheading Example
30048
30049 @smallexample
30050 (gdb)
30051 4-dprintf-insert foo "At foo entry\n"
30052 4^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30053 addr="0x000000000040061b",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
30054 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="25",thread-groups=["i1"],
30055 times="0",script=@{"printf \"At foo entry\\n\"","continue"@},
30056 original-location="foo"@}
30057 (gdb)
30058 5-dprintf-insert 26 "arg=%d, g=%d\n" arg g
30059 5^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30060 addr="0x000000000040062a",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
30061 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="26",thread-groups=["i1"],
30062 times="0",script=@{"printf \"arg=%d, g=%d\\n\", arg, g","continue"@},
30063 original-location="mi-dprintf.c:26"@}
30064 (gdb)
30065 @end smallexample
30066
30067 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
30068 @findex -break-list
30069
30070 @subsubheading Synopsis
30071
30072 @smallexample
30073 -break-list
30074 @end smallexample
30075
30076 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
30077
30078 @table @samp
30079 @item Number
30080 number of the breakpoint
30081 @item Type
30082 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
30083 @item Disposition
30084 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
30085 or @samp{nokeep}
30086 @item Enabled
30087 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
30088 @item Address
30089 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
30090 @item What
30091 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
30092 name, line number
30093 @item Thread-groups
30094 list of thread groups to which this breakpoint applies
30095 @item Times
30096 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
30097 @end table
30098
30099 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
30100 @code{body} field is an empty list.
30101
30102 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30103
30104 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
30105
30106 @subsubheading Example
30107
30108 @smallexample
30109 (gdb)
30110 -break-list
30111 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
30112 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
30113 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
30114 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
30115 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
30116 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
30117 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
30118 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30119 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
30120 times="0"@},
30121 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30122 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
30123 line="13",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
30124 (gdb)
30125 @end smallexample
30126
30127 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
30128
30129 @smallexample
30130 (gdb)
30131 -break-list
30132 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
30133 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
30134 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
30135 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
30136 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
30137 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
30138 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
30139 body=[]@}
30140 (gdb)
30141 @end smallexample
30142
30143 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
30144 @findex -break-passcount
30145
30146 @subsubheading Synopsis
30147
30148 @smallexample
30149 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
30150 @end smallexample
30151
30152 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
30153 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
30154 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
30155 command @samp{passcount}.
30156
30157 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
30158 @findex -break-watch
30159
30160 @subsubheading Synopsis
30161
30162 @smallexample
30163 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
30164 @end smallexample
30165
30166 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
30167 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
30168 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
30169 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
30170 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
30171 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
30172 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
30173 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
30174
30175 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
30176 breakpoints inserted.
30177
30178 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30179
30180 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
30181 @samp{rwatch}.
30182
30183 @subsubheading Example
30184
30185 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
30186
30187 @smallexample
30188 (gdb)
30189 -break-watch x
30190 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
30191 (gdb)
30192 -exec-continue
30193 ^running
30194 (gdb)
30195 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
30196 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
30197 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
30198 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
30199 (gdb)
30200 @end smallexample
30201
30202 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
30203 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
30204 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
30205
30206 @smallexample
30207 (gdb)
30208 -break-watch C
30209 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
30210 (gdb)
30211 -exec-continue
30212 ^running
30213 (gdb)
30214 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
30215 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
30216 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
30217 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30218 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
30219 (gdb)
30220 -exec-continue
30221 ^running
30222 (gdb)
30223 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
30224 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
30225 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
30226 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30227 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
30228 (gdb)
30229 @end smallexample
30230
30231 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
30232 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
30233 deleted.
30234
30235 @smallexample
30236 (gdb)
30237 -break-watch C
30238 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
30239 (gdb)
30240 -break-list
30241 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
30242 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
30243 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
30244 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
30245 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
30246 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
30247 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
30248 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30249 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30250 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30251 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
30252 times="1"@},
30253 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
30254 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
30255 (gdb)
30256 -exec-continue
30257 ^running
30258 (gdb)
30259 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
30260 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
30261 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
30262 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30263 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
30264 (gdb)
30265 -break-list
30266 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
30267 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
30268 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
30269 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
30270 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
30271 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
30272 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
30273 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30274 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30275 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30276 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
30277 times="1"@},
30278 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
30279 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="-5"@}]@}
30280 (gdb)
30281 -exec-continue
30282 ^running
30283 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
30284 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
30285 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
30286 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30287 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
30288 (gdb)
30289 -break-list
30290 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
30291 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
30292 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
30293 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
30294 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
30295 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
30296 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
30297 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30298 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30299 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30300 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
30301 thread-groups=["i1"],times="1"@}]@}
30302 (gdb)
30303 @end smallexample
30304
30305
30306 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30307 @node GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
30308 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoint Commands
30309
30310 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
30311 catchpoints.
30312
30313 @subheading The @code{-catch-load} Command
30314 @findex -catch-load
30315
30316 @subsubheading Synopsis
30317
30318 @smallexample
30319 -catch-load [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
30320 @end smallexample
30321
30322 Add a catchpoint for library load events. If the @samp{-t} option is used,
30323 the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
30324 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is created
30325 in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
30326 expression used to match the name of the loaded library.
30327
30328
30329 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30330
30331 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch load}.
30332
30333 @subsubheading Example
30334
30335 @smallexample
30336 -catch-load -t foo.so
30337 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
30338 what="load of library matching foo.so",catch-type="load",times="0"@}
30339 (gdb)
30340 @end smallexample
30341
30342
30343 @subheading The @code{-catch-unload} Command
30344 @findex -catch-unload
30345
30346 @subsubheading Synopsis
30347
30348 @smallexample
30349 -catch-unload [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
30350 @end smallexample
30351
30352 Add a catchpoint for library unload events. If the @samp{-t} option is
30353 used, the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
30354 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is
30355 created in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
30356 expression used to match the name of the unloaded library.
30357
30358 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30359
30360 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch unload}.
30361
30362 @subsubheading Example
30363
30364 @smallexample
30365 -catch-unload -d bar.so
30366 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
30367 what="load of library matching bar.so",catch-type="unload",times="0"@}
30368 (gdb)
30369 @end smallexample
30370
30371
30372 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30373 @node GDB/MI Program Context
30374 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
30375
30376 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
30377 @findex -exec-arguments
30378
30379
30380 @subsubheading Synopsis
30381
30382 @smallexample
30383 -exec-arguments @var{args}
30384 @end smallexample
30385
30386 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
30387 @samp{-exec-run}.
30388
30389 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30390
30391 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
30392
30393 @subsubheading Example
30394
30395 @smallexample
30396 (gdb)
30397 -exec-arguments -v word
30398 ^done
30399 (gdb)
30400 @end smallexample
30401
30402
30403 @ignore
30404 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
30405 @findex -exec-show-arguments
30406
30407 @subsubheading Synopsis
30408
30409 @smallexample
30410 -exec-show-arguments
30411 @end smallexample
30412
30413 Print the arguments of the program.
30414
30415 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30416
30417 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
30418
30419 @subsubheading Example
30420 N.A.
30421 @end ignore
30422
30423
30424 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
30425 @findex -environment-cd
30426
30427 @subsubheading Synopsis
30428
30429 @smallexample
30430 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
30431 @end smallexample
30432
30433 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
30434
30435 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30436
30437 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
30438
30439 @subsubheading Example
30440
30441 @smallexample
30442 (gdb)
30443 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
30444 ^done
30445 (gdb)
30446 @end smallexample
30447
30448
30449 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
30450 @findex -environment-directory
30451
30452 @subsubheading Synopsis
30453
30454 @smallexample
30455 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
30456 @end smallexample
30457
30458 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
30459 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
30460 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
30461 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
30462 occurs as normal.
30463 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
30464 multiple directories in a single command
30465 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
30466 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
30467 If blanks are needed as
30468 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
30469 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
30470 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
30471 character must not be used
30472 in any directory name.
30473 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
30474
30475 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30476
30477 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
30478
30479 @subsubheading Example
30480
30481 @smallexample
30482 (gdb)
30483 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
30484 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
30485 (gdb)
30486 -environment-directory ""
30487 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
30488 (gdb)
30489 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
30490 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
30491 (gdb)
30492 -environment-directory -r
30493 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
30494 (gdb)
30495 @end smallexample
30496
30497
30498 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
30499 @findex -environment-path
30500
30501 @subsubheading Synopsis
30502
30503 @smallexample
30504 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
30505 @end smallexample
30506
30507 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
30508 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
30509 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
30510 supplied in addition to the
30511 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
30512 occurs as normal.
30513 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
30514 multiple directories in a single command
30515 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
30516 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
30517 If blanks are needed as
30518 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
30519 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
30520 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
30521 character must not be used
30522 in any directory name.
30523 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
30524
30525
30526 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30527
30528 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
30529
30530 @subsubheading Example
30531
30532 @smallexample
30533 (gdb)
30534 -environment-path
30535 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
30536 (gdb)
30537 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
30538 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
30539 (gdb)
30540 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
30541 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
30542 (gdb)
30543 @end smallexample
30544
30545
30546 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
30547 @findex -environment-pwd
30548
30549 @subsubheading Synopsis
30550
30551 @smallexample
30552 -environment-pwd
30553 @end smallexample
30554
30555 Show the current working directory.
30556
30557 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30558
30559 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
30560
30561 @subsubheading Example
30562
30563 @smallexample
30564 (gdb)
30565 -environment-pwd
30566 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
30567 (gdb)
30568 @end smallexample
30569
30570 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30571 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
30572 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
30573
30574
30575 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
30576 @findex -thread-info
30577
30578 @subsubheading Synopsis
30579
30580 @smallexample
30581 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
30582 @end smallexample
30583
30584 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
30585 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
30586 threads. When printing information about all threads,
30587 also reports the current thread.
30588
30589 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30590
30591 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
30592 about all threads.
30593
30594 @subsubheading Result
30595
30596 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
30597 defined for a given thread:
30598
30599 @table @samp
30600 @item current
30601 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
30602
30603 @item id
30604 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
30605
30606 @item target-id
30607 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
30608
30609 @item details
30610 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
30611 field is optional.
30612
30613 @item name
30614 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
30615 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
30616 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
30617 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
30618 field is omitted.
30619
30620 @item frame
30621 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
30622
30623 @item state
30624 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
30625 values:
30626
30627 @table @code
30628 @item stopped
30629 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
30630 threads.
30631
30632 @item running
30633 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
30634 threads.
30635
30636 @end table
30637
30638 @item core
30639 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
30640 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
30641
30642 @end table
30643
30644 @subsubheading Example
30645
30646 @smallexample
30647 -thread-info
30648 ^done,threads=[
30649 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
30650 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
30651 args=[]@},state="running"@},
30652 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
30653 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
30654 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
30655 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
30656 state="running"@}],
30657 current-thread-id="1"
30658 (gdb)
30659 @end smallexample
30660
30661 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
30662 @findex -thread-list-ids
30663
30664 @subsubheading Synopsis
30665
30666 @smallexample
30667 -thread-list-ids
30668 @end smallexample
30669
30670 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
30671 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
30672
30673 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
30674 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
30675
30676 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30677
30678 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
30679
30680 @subsubheading Example
30681
30682 @smallexample
30683 (gdb)
30684 -thread-list-ids
30685 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
30686 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
30687 (gdb)
30688 @end smallexample
30689
30690
30691 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
30692 @findex -thread-select
30693
30694 @subsubheading Synopsis
30695
30696 @smallexample
30697 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
30698 @end smallexample
30699
30700 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
30701 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
30702
30703 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
30704 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
30705
30706 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30707
30708 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
30709
30710 @subsubheading Example
30711
30712 @smallexample
30713 (gdb)
30714 -exec-next
30715 ^running
30716 (gdb)
30717 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
30718 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
30719 (gdb)
30720 -thread-list-ids
30721 ^done,
30722 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
30723 number-of-threads="3"
30724 (gdb)
30725 -thread-select 3
30726 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
30727 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
30728 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
30729 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
30730 (gdb)
30731 @end smallexample
30732
30733 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30734 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
30735 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
30736
30737 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
30738 @findex -ada-task-info
30739
30740 @subsubheading Synopsis
30741
30742 @smallexample
30743 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
30744 @end smallexample
30745
30746 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
30747 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
30748
30749 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30750
30751 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
30752 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
30753
30754 @subsubheading Result
30755
30756 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
30757 defined for each Ada task:
30758
30759 @table @samp
30760 @item current
30761 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
30762
30763 @item id
30764 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
30765
30766 @item task-id
30767 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
30768
30769 @item thread-id
30770 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
30771
30772 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
30773 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
30774 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
30775
30776 @item parent-id
30777 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
30778 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
30779
30780 @item priority
30781 The base priority of the task.
30782
30783 @item state
30784 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
30785 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
30786
30787 @item name
30788 The name of the task.
30789
30790 @end table
30791
30792 @subsubheading Example
30793
30794 @smallexample
30795 -ada-task-info
30796 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
30797 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
30798 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
30799 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
30800 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
30801 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
30802 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
30803 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
30804 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
30805 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
30806 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
30807 (gdb)
30808 @end smallexample
30809
30810 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30811 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
30812 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
30813
30814 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
30815 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
30816 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
30817 other cases.
30818
30819 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
30820 @findex -exec-continue
30821
30822 @subsubheading Synopsis
30823
30824 @smallexample
30825 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
30826 @end smallexample
30827
30828 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
30829 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
30830 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
30831 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
30832 @itemize @bullet
30833 @item
30834 breakpoints or watchpoints
30835 @item
30836 signals or exceptions
30837 @item
30838 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
30839 @item
30840 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
30841 @end itemize
30842 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
30843 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
30844 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
30845 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
30846 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
30847 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
30848
30849 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30850
30851 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
30852
30853 @subsubheading Example
30854
30855 @smallexample
30856 -exec-continue
30857 ^running
30858 (gdb)
30859 @@Hello world
30860 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
30861 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
30862 line="13"@}
30863 (gdb)
30864 @end smallexample
30865
30866
30867 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
30868 @findex -exec-finish
30869
30870 @subsubheading Synopsis
30871
30872 @smallexample
30873 -exec-finish [--reverse]
30874 @end smallexample
30875
30876 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
30877 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
30878 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
30879 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
30880 function was called.
30881
30882 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30883
30884 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
30885
30886 @subsubheading Example
30887
30888 Function returning @code{void}.
30889
30890 @smallexample
30891 -exec-finish
30892 ^running
30893 (gdb)
30894 @@hello from foo
30895 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
30896 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
30897 (gdb)
30898 @end smallexample
30899
30900 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
30901 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
30902 value itself.
30903
30904 @smallexample
30905 -exec-finish
30906 ^running
30907 (gdb)
30908 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
30909 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
30910 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30911 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
30912 (gdb)
30913 @end smallexample
30914
30915
30916 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
30917 @findex -exec-interrupt
30918
30919 @subsubheading Synopsis
30920
30921 @smallexample
30922 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
30923 @end smallexample
30924
30925 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
30926 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
30927 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
30928 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
30929 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
30930
30931 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
30932 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
30933 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
30934 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
30935
30936 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
30937 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
30938 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
30939 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
30940
30941 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30942
30943 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
30944
30945 @subsubheading Example
30946
30947 @smallexample
30948 (gdb)
30949 111-exec-continue
30950 111^running
30951
30952 (gdb)
30953 222-exec-interrupt
30954 222^done
30955 (gdb)
30956 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
30957 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
30958 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
30959 (gdb)
30960
30961 (gdb)
30962 -exec-interrupt
30963 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
30964 (gdb)
30965 @end smallexample
30966
30967 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
30968 @findex -exec-jump
30969
30970 @subsubheading Synopsis
30971
30972 @smallexample
30973 -exec-jump @var{location}
30974 @end smallexample
30975
30976 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
30977 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
30978 different forms of @var{location}.
30979
30980 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30981
30982 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
30983
30984 @subsubheading Example
30985
30986 @smallexample
30987 -exec-jump foo.c:10
30988 *running,thread-id="all"
30989 ^running
30990 @end smallexample
30991
30992
30993 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
30994 @findex -exec-next
30995
30996 @subsubheading Synopsis
30997
30998 @smallexample
30999 -exec-next [--reverse]
31000 @end smallexample
31001
31002 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
31003 of the next source line is reached.
31004
31005 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
31006 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
31007 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
31008 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
31009 source line where the function was called.
31010
31011
31012 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31013
31014 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
31015
31016 @subsubheading Example
31017
31018 @smallexample
31019 -exec-next
31020 ^running
31021 (gdb)
31022 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
31023 (gdb)
31024 @end smallexample
31025
31026
31027 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
31028 @findex -exec-next-instruction
31029
31030 @subsubheading Synopsis
31031
31032 @smallexample
31033 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
31034 @end smallexample
31035
31036 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
31037 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
31038 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
31039 printed as well.
31040
31041 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
31042 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
31043 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
31044 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
31045 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
31046
31047 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31048
31049 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
31050
31051 @subsubheading Example
31052
31053 @smallexample
31054 (gdb)
31055 -exec-next-instruction
31056 ^running
31057
31058 (gdb)
31059 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
31060 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
31061 (gdb)
31062 @end smallexample
31063
31064
31065 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
31066 @findex -exec-return
31067
31068 @subsubheading Synopsis
31069
31070 @smallexample
31071 -exec-return
31072 @end smallexample
31073
31074 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
31075 Displays the new current frame.
31076
31077 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31078
31079 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
31080
31081 @subsubheading Example
31082
31083 @smallexample
31084 (gdb)
31085 200-break-insert callee4
31086 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
31087 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
31088 (gdb)
31089 000-exec-run
31090 000^running
31091 (gdb)
31092 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
31093 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
31094 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31095 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
31096 (gdb)
31097 205-break-delete
31098 205^done
31099 (gdb)
31100 111-exec-return
31101 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
31102 args=[@{name="strarg",
31103 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
31104 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31105 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
31106 (gdb)
31107 @end smallexample
31108
31109
31110 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
31111 @findex -exec-run
31112
31113 @subsubheading Synopsis
31114
31115 @smallexample
31116 -exec-run [ --all | --thread-group N ] [ --start ]
31117 @end smallexample
31118
31119 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
31120 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
31121 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
31122 the program has exited exceptionally.
31123
31124 When neither the @samp{--all} nor the @samp{--thread-group} option
31125 is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
31126 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
31127 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
31128 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
31129
31130 Using the @samp{--start} option instructs the debugger to stop
31131 the execution at the start of the inferior's main subprogram,
31132 following the same behavior as the @code{start} command
31133 (@pxref{Starting}).
31134
31135 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31136
31137 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
31138
31139 @subsubheading Examples
31140
31141 @smallexample
31142 (gdb)
31143 -break-insert main
31144 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
31145 (gdb)
31146 -exec-run
31147 ^running
31148 (gdb)
31149 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
31150 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
31151 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
31152 (gdb)
31153 @end smallexample
31154
31155 @noindent
31156 Program exited normally:
31157
31158 @smallexample
31159 (gdb)
31160 -exec-run
31161 ^running
31162 (gdb)
31163 x = 55
31164 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
31165 (gdb)
31166 @end smallexample
31167
31168 @noindent
31169 Program exited exceptionally:
31170
31171 @smallexample
31172 (gdb)
31173 -exec-run
31174 ^running
31175 (gdb)
31176 x = 55
31177 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
31178 (gdb)
31179 @end smallexample
31180
31181 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
31182 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
31183
31184 @smallexample
31185 (gdb)
31186 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
31187 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
31188 @end smallexample
31189
31190
31191 @c @subheading -exec-signal
31192
31193
31194 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
31195 @findex -exec-step
31196
31197 @subsubheading Synopsis
31198
31199 @smallexample
31200 -exec-step [--reverse]
31201 @end smallexample
31202
31203 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
31204 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
31205 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
31206 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
31207 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
31208 previously executed source line.
31209
31210 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31211
31212 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
31213
31214 @subsubheading Example
31215
31216 Stepping into a function:
31217
31218 @smallexample
31219 -exec-step
31220 ^running
31221 (gdb)
31222 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
31223 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
31224 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
31225 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
31226 (gdb)
31227 @end smallexample
31228
31229 Regular stepping:
31230
31231 @smallexample
31232 -exec-step
31233 ^running
31234 (gdb)
31235 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
31236 (gdb)
31237 @end smallexample
31238
31239
31240 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
31241 @findex -exec-step-instruction
31242
31243 @subsubheading Synopsis
31244
31245 @smallexample
31246 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
31247 @end smallexample
31248
31249 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
31250 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
31251 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
31252 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
31253 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
31254 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
31255 as well.
31256
31257 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31258
31259 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
31260
31261 @subsubheading Example
31262
31263 @smallexample
31264 (gdb)
31265 -exec-step-instruction
31266 ^running
31267
31268 (gdb)
31269 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
31270 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
31271 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
31272 (gdb)
31273 -exec-step-instruction
31274 ^running
31275
31276 (gdb)
31277 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
31278 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
31279 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
31280 (gdb)
31281 @end smallexample
31282
31283
31284 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
31285 @findex -exec-until
31286
31287 @subsubheading Synopsis
31288
31289 @smallexample
31290 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
31291 @end smallexample
31292
31293 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
31294 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
31295 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
31296 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
31297
31298 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31299
31300 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
31301
31302 @subsubheading Example
31303
31304 @smallexample
31305 (gdb)
31306 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
31307 ^running
31308 (gdb)
31309 x = 55
31310 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
31311 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
31312 (gdb)
31313 @end smallexample
31314
31315 @ignore
31316 @subheading -file-clear
31317 Is this going away????
31318 @end ignore
31319
31320 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31321 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
31322 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
31323
31324 @subheading The @code{-enable-frame-filters} Command
31325 @findex -enable-frame-filters
31326
31327 @smallexample
31328 -enable-frame-filters
31329 @end smallexample
31330
31331 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based frame filters to affect the output of
31332 the MI commands relating to stack traces. As there is no way to
31333 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
31334 request that this functionality be enabled.
31335
31336 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
31337
31338 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
31339 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
31340
31341 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
31342 @findex -stack-info-frame
31343
31344 @subsubheading Synopsis
31345
31346 @smallexample
31347 -stack-info-frame
31348 @end smallexample
31349
31350 Get info on the selected frame.
31351
31352 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31353
31354 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
31355 (without arguments).
31356
31357 @subsubheading Example
31358
31359 @smallexample
31360 (gdb)
31361 -stack-info-frame
31362 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
31363 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31364 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
31365 (gdb)
31366 @end smallexample
31367
31368 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
31369 @findex -stack-info-depth
31370
31371 @subsubheading Synopsis
31372
31373 @smallexample
31374 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
31375 @end smallexample
31376
31377 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
31378 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
31379
31380 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31381
31382 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
31383
31384 @subsubheading Example
31385
31386 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
31387
31388 @smallexample
31389 (gdb)
31390 -stack-info-depth
31391 ^done,depth="12"
31392 (gdb)
31393 -stack-info-depth 4
31394 ^done,depth="4"
31395 (gdb)
31396 -stack-info-depth 12
31397 ^done,depth="12"
31398 (gdb)
31399 -stack-info-depth 11
31400 ^done,depth="11"
31401 (gdb)
31402 -stack-info-depth 13
31403 ^done,depth="12"
31404 (gdb)
31405 @end smallexample
31406
31407 @anchor{-stack-list-arguments}
31408 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
31409 @findex -stack-list-arguments
31410
31411 @subsubheading Synopsis
31412
31413 @smallexample
31414 -stack-list-arguments [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
31415 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
31416 @end smallexample
31417
31418 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
31419 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
31420 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
31421 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
31422 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
31423 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
31424 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
31425 which case only existing frames will be returned.
31426
31427 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31428 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31429 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31430 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31431 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
31432 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
31433
31434 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, arguments that
31435 are not available are not listed. Partially available arguments
31436 are still displayed, however.
31437
31438 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
31439 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
31440
31441 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31442
31443 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
31444 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
31445 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
31446
31447 @subsubheading Example
31448
31449 @smallexample
31450 (gdb)
31451 -stack-list-frames
31452 ^done,
31453 stack=[
31454 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
31455 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31456 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
31457 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
31458 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31459 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
31460 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
31461 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31462 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
31463 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
31464 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31465 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
31466 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
31467 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31468 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
31469 (gdb)
31470 -stack-list-arguments 0
31471 ^done,
31472 stack-args=[
31473 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
31474 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
31475 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
31476 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
31477 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
31478 (gdb)
31479 -stack-list-arguments 1
31480 ^done,
31481 stack-args=[
31482 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
31483 frame=@{level="1",
31484 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
31485 frame=@{level="2",args=[
31486 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31487 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
31488 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
31489 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31490 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
31491 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
31492 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
31493 (gdb)
31494 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
31495 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
31496 (gdb)
31497 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
31498 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
31499 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31500 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
31501 (gdb)
31502 @end smallexample
31503
31504 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
31505
31506
31507 @anchor{-stack-list-frames}
31508 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
31509 @findex -stack-list-frames
31510
31511 @subsubheading Synopsis
31512
31513 @smallexample
31514 -stack-list-frames [ --no-frame-filters @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
31515 @end smallexample
31516
31517 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
31518 following info:
31519
31520 @table @samp
31521 @item @var{level}
31522 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
31523 @item @var{addr}
31524 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
31525 @item @var{func}
31526 Function name.
31527 @item @var{file}
31528 File name of the source file where the function lives.
31529 @item @var{fullname}
31530 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
31531 @item @var{line}
31532 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
31533 @item @var{from}
31534 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
31535 if the frame's function is not known.
31536 @end table
31537
31538 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
31539 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
31540 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
31541 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
31542 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
31543 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
31544 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be
31545 returned. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
31546 Python frame filters will not be executed.
31547
31548 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31549
31550 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
31551
31552 @subsubheading Example
31553
31554 Full stack backtrace:
31555
31556 @smallexample
31557 (gdb)
31558 -stack-list-frames
31559 ^done,stack=
31560 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
31561 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
31562 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31563 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31564 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31565 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31566 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31567 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31568 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31569 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31570 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31571 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31572 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31573 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31574 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31575 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31576 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31577 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31578 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31579 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31580 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31581 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31582 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
31583 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
31584 (gdb)
31585 @end smallexample
31586
31587 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
31588
31589 @smallexample
31590 (gdb)
31591 -stack-list-frames 3 5
31592 ^done,stack=
31593 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31594 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31595 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31596 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31597 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31598 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
31599 (gdb)
31600 @end smallexample
31601
31602 Show a single frame:
31603
31604 @smallexample
31605 (gdb)
31606 -stack-list-frames 3 3
31607 ^done,stack=
31608 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31609 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
31610 (gdb)
31611 @end smallexample
31612
31613
31614 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
31615 @findex -stack-list-locals
31616 @anchor{-stack-list-locals}
31617
31618 @subsubheading Synopsis
31619
31620 @smallexample
31621 -stack-list-locals [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
31622 @end smallexample
31623
31624 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
31625 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31626 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31627 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31628 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31629 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
31630 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
31631 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
31632 more detail. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
31633 Python frame filters will not be executed.
31634
31635 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
31636 that are not available are not listed. Partially available local
31637 variables are still displayed, however.
31638
31639 This command is deprecated in favor of the
31640 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
31641
31642 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31643
31644 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
31645
31646 @subsubheading Example
31647
31648 @smallexample
31649 (gdb)
31650 -stack-list-locals 0
31651 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
31652 (gdb)
31653 -stack-list-locals --all-values
31654 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
31655 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
31656 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
31657 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
31658 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
31659 (gdb)
31660 @end smallexample
31661
31662 @anchor{-stack-list-variables}
31663 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
31664 @findex -stack-list-variables
31665
31666 @subsubheading Synopsis
31667
31668 @smallexample
31669 -stack-list-variables [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
31670 @end smallexample
31671
31672 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
31673 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31674 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31675 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31676 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31677 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
31678 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
31679
31680 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
31681 and arguments that are not available are not listed. Partially
31682 available arguments and local variables are still displayed, however.
31683
31684 @subsubheading Example
31685
31686 @smallexample
31687 (gdb)
31688 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
31689 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
31690 (gdb)
31691 @end smallexample
31692
31693
31694 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
31695 @findex -stack-select-frame
31696
31697 @subsubheading Synopsis
31698
31699 @smallexample
31700 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
31701 @end smallexample
31702
31703 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
31704 the stack.
31705
31706 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
31707 option to every command.
31708
31709 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31710
31711 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
31712 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
31713
31714 @subsubheading Example
31715
31716 @smallexample
31717 (gdb)
31718 -stack-select-frame 2
31719 ^done
31720 (gdb)
31721 @end smallexample
31722
31723 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31724 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
31725 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
31726
31727 @ignore
31728
31729 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
31730
31731 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
31732 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
31733 used by @code{Insight}.
31734
31735 The two main reasons for that are:
31736
31737 @enumerate 1
31738 @item
31739 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
31740
31741 @item
31742 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
31743 now).
31744 @end enumerate
31745
31746 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
31747 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
31748 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
31749 hints about their use.
31750
31751 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
31752 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
31753 least, the following operations:
31754
31755 @itemize @bullet
31756 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
31757 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
31758 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
31759 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
31760 @end itemize
31761
31762 @end ignore
31763
31764 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
31765
31766 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
31767
31768 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
31769 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
31770 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
31771 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
31772 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
31773 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
31774 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
31775 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
31776 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
31777 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
31778 object, or to change display format.
31779
31780 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
31781 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
31782 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
31783 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
31784 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
31785 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
31786 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
31787 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
31788 child will be created.
31789
31790 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
31791 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
31792 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
31793 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
31794 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
31795
31796 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
31797 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
31798 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
31799 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
31800 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
31801 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
31802 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
31803 variables that frontend has created.
31804
31805 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
31806 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
31807 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
31808 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
31809 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
31810 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
31811 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
31812 implicitly updated.
31813
31814 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
31815 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
31816 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
31817 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
31818 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
31819 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
31820 frame. Consider this example:
31821
31822 @smallexample
31823 void do_work(...)
31824 @{
31825 struct work_state state;
31826
31827 if (...)
31828 do_work(...);
31829 @}
31830 @end smallexample
31831
31832 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
31833 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
31834 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
31835 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
31836 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
31837
31838 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
31839 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
31840 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
31841 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
31842 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
31843 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
31844
31845 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
31846 access this functionality:
31847
31848 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
31849 @item @strong{Operation}
31850 @tab @strong{Description}
31851
31852 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
31853 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
31854 @item @code{-var-create}
31855 @tab create a variable object
31856 @item @code{-var-delete}
31857 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
31858 @item @code{-var-set-format}
31859 @tab set the display format of this variable
31860 @item @code{-var-show-format}
31861 @tab show the display format of this variable
31862 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
31863 @tab tells how many children this object has
31864 @item @code{-var-list-children}
31865 @tab return a list of the object's children
31866 @item @code{-var-info-type}
31867 @tab show the type of this variable object
31868 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
31869 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
31870 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
31871 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
31872 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
31873 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
31874 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
31875 @tab get the value of this variable
31876 @item @code{-var-assign}
31877 @tab set the value of this variable
31878 @item @code{-var-update}
31879 @tab update the variable and its children
31880 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
31881 @tab set frozeness attribute
31882 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
31883 @tab set range of children to display on update
31884 @end multitable
31885
31886 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
31887 how it can be used.
31888
31889 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
31890
31891 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
31892 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
31893
31894 @smallexample
31895 -enable-pretty-printing
31896 @end smallexample
31897
31898 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
31899 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
31900 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
31901 request that this functionality be enabled.
31902
31903 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
31904
31905 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
31906 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
31907
31908 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
31909 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
31910
31911 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
31912 @findex -var-create
31913
31914 @subsubheading Synopsis
31915
31916 @smallexample
31917 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
31918 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
31919 @end smallexample
31920
31921 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
31922 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
31923 register.
31924
31925 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
31926 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
31927 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
31928 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
31929 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
31930
31931 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
31932 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
31933 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
31934 object must be created.
31935
31936 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
31937 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
31938
31939 @itemize @bullet
31940 @item
31941 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
31942
31943 @item
31944 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
31945
31946 @item
31947 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
31948 @end itemize
31949
31950 @cindex dynamic varobj
31951 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
31952 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
31953 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
31954 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
31955 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
31956 compatibility for existing clients.
31957
31958 @subsubheading Result
31959
31960 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
31961 are:
31962
31963 @table @samp
31964 @item name
31965 The name of the varobj.
31966
31967 @item numchild
31968 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
31969 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
31970 @samp{has_more} attribute.
31971
31972 @item value
31973 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
31974 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
31975 will not be interesting.
31976
31977 @item type
31978 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
31979 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
31980 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
31981 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
31982 @emph{declared} one.
31983
31984 @item thread-id
31985 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
31986 thread's identifier.
31987
31988 @item has_more
31989 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
31990 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
31991
31992 @item dynamic
31993 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
31994 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
31995 then this attribute will not be present.
31996
31997 @item displayhint
31998 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
31999 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
32000 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
32001 @end table
32002
32003 Typical output will look like this:
32004
32005 @smallexample
32006 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
32007 has_more="@var{has_more}"
32008 @end smallexample
32009
32010
32011 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
32012 @findex -var-delete
32013
32014 @subsubheading Synopsis
32015
32016 @smallexample
32017 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
32018 @end smallexample
32019
32020 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
32021 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
32022
32023 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
32024
32025
32026 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
32027 @findex -var-set-format
32028
32029 @subsubheading Synopsis
32030
32031 @smallexample
32032 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
32033 @end smallexample
32034
32035 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
32036 @var{format-spec}.
32037
32038 @anchor{-var-set-format}
32039 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
32040
32041 @smallexample
32042 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
32043 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
32044 @end smallexample
32045
32046 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
32047 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
32048 for pointers, etc.).
32049
32050 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
32051 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
32052
32053 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
32054 @findex -var-show-format
32055
32056 @subsubheading Synopsis
32057
32058 @smallexample
32059 -var-show-format @var{name}
32060 @end smallexample
32061
32062 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
32063
32064 @smallexample
32065 @var{format} @expansion{}
32066 @var{format-spec}
32067 @end smallexample
32068
32069
32070 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
32071 @findex -var-info-num-children
32072
32073 @subsubheading Synopsis
32074
32075 @smallexample
32076 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
32077 @end smallexample
32078
32079 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
32080
32081 @smallexample
32082 numchild=@var{n}
32083 @end smallexample
32084
32085 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
32086 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
32087 be available.
32088
32089
32090 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
32091 @findex -var-list-children
32092
32093 @subsubheading Synopsis
32094
32095 @smallexample
32096 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
32097 @end smallexample
32098 @anchor{-var-list-children}
32099
32100 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
32101 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
32102 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
32103 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
32104 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
32105 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
32106 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
32107 and unions.
32108
32109 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
32110 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
32111 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
32112 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
32113 reported.
32114
32115 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
32116 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
32117 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
32118 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
32119 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
32120 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
32121 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
32122 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
32123 the visible items.
32124
32125 For each child the following results are returned:
32126
32127 @table @var
32128
32129 @item name
32130 Name of the variable object created for this child.
32131
32132 @item exp
32133 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
32134 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
32135
32136 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
32137 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
32138
32139 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
32140 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
32141 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
32142 type and value are not present.
32143
32144 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
32145 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
32146 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
32147
32148 @item numchild
32149 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
32150 0.
32151
32152 @item type
32153 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
32154 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
32155 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
32156 @emph{declared} one.
32157
32158 @item value
32159 If values were requested, this is the value.
32160
32161 @item thread-id
32162 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
32163 Otherwise this result is not present.
32164
32165 @item frozen
32166 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
32167 @end table
32168
32169 The result may have its own attributes:
32170
32171 @table @samp
32172 @item displayhint
32173 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
32174 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
32175 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
32176
32177 @item has_more
32178 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
32179 remaining after the end of the selected range.
32180 @end table
32181
32182 @subsubheading Example
32183
32184 @smallexample
32185 (gdb)
32186 -var-list-children n
32187 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
32188 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
32189 (gdb)
32190 -var-list-children --all-values n
32191 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
32192 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
32193 @end smallexample
32194
32195
32196 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
32197 @findex -var-info-type
32198
32199 @subsubheading Synopsis
32200
32201 @smallexample
32202 -var-info-type @var{name}
32203 @end smallexample
32204
32205 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
32206 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
32207 @value{GDBN} CLI:
32208
32209 @smallexample
32210 type=@var{typename}
32211 @end smallexample
32212
32213
32214 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
32215 @findex -var-info-expression
32216
32217 @subsubheading Synopsis
32218
32219 @smallexample
32220 -var-info-expression @var{name}
32221 @end smallexample
32222
32223 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
32224 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
32225 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
32226
32227 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
32228 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
32229
32230 @smallexample
32231 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
32232 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
32233 @end smallexample
32234
32235 @noindent
32236 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
32237
32238 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
32239 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
32240 is of limited use.
32241
32242 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
32243 @findex -var-info-path-expression
32244
32245 @subsubheading Synopsis
32246
32247 @smallexample
32248 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
32249 @end smallexample
32250
32251 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
32252 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
32253 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
32254 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
32255 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
32256 watchpoint from a variable object.
32257
32258 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
32259 and will give an error when invoked on one.
32260
32261 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
32262 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
32263 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
32264 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
32265 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
32266 @smallexample
32267 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
32268 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
32269 @end smallexample
32270
32271 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
32272 @findex -var-show-attributes
32273
32274 @subsubheading Synopsis
32275
32276 @smallexample
32277 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
32278 @end smallexample
32279
32280 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
32281
32282 @smallexample
32283 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
32284 @end smallexample
32285
32286 @noindent
32287 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
32288
32289 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
32290 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
32291
32292 @subsubheading Synopsis
32293
32294 @smallexample
32295 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
32296 @end smallexample
32297
32298 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
32299 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
32300 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
32301 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
32302 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
32303 the current display format will be used. The current display format
32304 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
32305
32306 @smallexample
32307 value=@var{value}
32308 @end smallexample
32309
32310 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
32311 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
32312
32313 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
32314 @findex -var-assign
32315
32316 @subsubheading Synopsis
32317
32318 @smallexample
32319 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
32320 @end smallexample
32321
32322 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
32323 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
32324 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
32325 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
32326
32327 @subsubheading Example
32328
32329 @smallexample
32330 (gdb)
32331 -var-assign var1 3
32332 ^done,value="3"
32333 (gdb)
32334 -var-update *
32335 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
32336 (gdb)
32337 @end smallexample
32338
32339 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
32340 @findex -var-update
32341
32342 @subsubheading Synopsis
32343
32344 @smallexample
32345 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
32346 @end smallexample
32347
32348 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
32349 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
32350 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
32351 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
32352 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
32353 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
32354 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
32355 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
32356 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
32357 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
32358 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
32359 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
32360 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
32361
32362 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
32363 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
32364 diagnostic.
32365
32366 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
32367 only the selected range of children will be reported.
32368
32369 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
32370 @samp{changelist}.
32371
32372 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
32373
32374 @table @samp
32375 @item name
32376 The name of the varobj.
32377
32378 @item value
32379 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
32380 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
32381
32382 @item in_scope
32383 @anchor{-var-update}
32384 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
32385
32386 @table @code
32387 @item "true"
32388 The variable object's current value is valid.
32389
32390 @item "false"
32391 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
32392 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
32393 scope.
32394
32395 @item "invalid"
32396 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
32397 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
32398 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
32399 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
32400 objects.
32401 @end table
32402
32403 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
32404 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
32405
32406 @item type_changed
32407 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
32408 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
32409 be @samp{false}.
32410
32411 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
32412 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
32413 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
32414 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
32415 unset.
32416
32417 @item new_type
32418 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
32419 hold the new type.
32420
32421 @item new_num_children
32422 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
32423 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
32424
32425 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
32426 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
32427 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
32428 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
32429 children which may be available.
32430
32431 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
32432 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
32433 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
32434 only happen at the end of the update range).
32435
32436 @item displayhint
32437 The display hint, if any.
32438
32439 @item has_more
32440 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
32441 available outside the varobj's update range.
32442
32443 @item dynamic
32444 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
32445 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
32446 then this attribute will not be present.
32447
32448 @item new_children
32449 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
32450 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
32451 be listed in this attribute.
32452 @end table
32453
32454 @subsubheading Example
32455
32456 @smallexample
32457 (gdb)
32458 -var-assign var1 3
32459 ^done,value="3"
32460 (gdb)
32461 -var-update --all-values var1
32462 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
32463 type_changed="false"@}]
32464 (gdb)
32465 @end smallexample
32466
32467 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
32468 @findex -var-set-frozen
32469 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
32470
32471 @subsubheading Synopsis
32472
32473 @smallexample
32474 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
32475 @end smallexample
32476
32477 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
32478 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
32479 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
32480 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
32481 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
32482 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
32483 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
32484 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
32485 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
32486 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
32487 @code{-var-update} does.
32488
32489 @subsubheading Example
32490
32491 @smallexample
32492 (gdb)
32493 -var-set-frozen V 1
32494 ^done
32495 (gdb)
32496 @end smallexample
32497
32498 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
32499 @findex -var-set-update-range
32500 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
32501
32502 @subsubheading Synopsis
32503
32504 @smallexample
32505 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
32506 @end smallexample
32507
32508 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
32509 @code{-var-update}.
32510
32511 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
32512 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
32513 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
32514 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
32515
32516 @subsubheading Example
32517
32518 @smallexample
32519 (gdb)
32520 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
32521 ^done
32522 @end smallexample
32523
32524 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
32525 @findex -var-set-visualizer
32526 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
32527
32528 @subsubheading Synopsis
32529
32530 @smallexample
32531 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
32532 @end smallexample
32533
32534 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
32535
32536 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
32537 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
32538
32539 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
32540 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
32541 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
32542 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
32543 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
32544 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
32545 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
32546
32547 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
32548 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
32549 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
32550 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
32551
32552 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
32553 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
32554 can be used to check this.
32555
32556 @subsubheading Example
32557
32558 Resetting the visualizer:
32559
32560 @smallexample
32561 (gdb)
32562 -var-set-visualizer V None
32563 ^done
32564 @end smallexample
32565
32566 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
32567
32568 @smallexample
32569 (gdb)
32570 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
32571 ^done
32572 @end smallexample
32573
32574 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
32575 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
32576
32577 @smallexample
32578 (gdb)
32579 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
32580 ^done
32581 @end smallexample
32582
32583 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32584 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
32585 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
32586
32587 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
32588 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
32589 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
32590 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
32591
32592 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
32593 @c @subheading -data-assign
32594 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
32595 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
32596 @c set variable
32597 @c @subsubheading Example
32598 @c N.A.
32599
32600 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
32601 @findex -data-disassemble
32602
32603 @subsubheading Synopsis
32604
32605 @smallexample
32606 -data-disassemble
32607 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
32608 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
32609 -- @var{mode}
32610 @end smallexample
32611
32612 @noindent
32613 Where:
32614
32615 @table @samp
32616 @item @var{start-addr}
32617 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
32618 @item @var{end-addr}
32619 is the end address
32620 @item @var{filename}
32621 is the name of the file to disassemble
32622 @item @var{linenum}
32623 is the line number to disassemble around
32624 @item @var{lines}
32625 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
32626 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
32627 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
32628 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
32629 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
32630 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
32631 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
32632 are displayed.
32633 @item @var{mode}
32634 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
32635 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
32636 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
32637 @end table
32638
32639 @subsubheading Result
32640
32641 The result of the @code{-data-disassemble} command will be a list named
32642 @samp{asm_insns}, the contents of this list depend on the @var{mode}
32643 used with the @code{-data-disassemble} command.
32644
32645 For modes 0 and 2 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples with the
32646 following fields:
32647
32648 @table @code
32649 @item address
32650 The address at which this instruction was disassembled.
32651
32652 @item func-name
32653 The name of the function this instruction is within.
32654
32655 @item offset
32656 The decimal offset in bytes from the start of @samp{func-name}.
32657
32658 @item inst
32659 The text disassembly for this @samp{address}.
32660
32661 @item opcodes
32662 This field is only present for mode 2. This contains the raw opcode
32663 bytes for the @samp{inst} field.
32664
32665 @end table
32666
32667 For modes 1 and 3 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples named
32668 @samp{src_and_asm_line}, each of which has the following fields:
32669
32670 @table @code
32671 @item line
32672 The line number within @samp{file}.
32673
32674 @item file
32675 The file name from the compilation unit. This might be an absolute
32676 file name or a relative file name depending on the compile command
32677 used.
32678
32679 @item fullname
32680 Absolute file name of @samp{file}. It is converted to a canonical form
32681 using the source file search path
32682 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories})
32683 and after resolving all the symbolic links.
32684
32685 If the source file is not found this field will contain the path as
32686 present in the debug information.
32687
32688 @item line_asm_insn
32689 This is a list of tuples containing the disassembly for @samp{line} in
32690 @samp{file}. The fields of each tuple are the same as for
32691 @code{-data-disassemble} in @var{mode} 0 and 2, so @samp{address},
32692 @samp{func-name}, @samp{offset}, @samp{inst}, and optionally
32693 @samp{opcodes}.
32694
32695 @end table
32696
32697 Note that whatever included in the @samp{inst} field, is not
32698 manipulated directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to
32699 adjust its format.
32700
32701 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32702
32703 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disassemble}.
32704
32705 @subsubheading Example
32706
32707 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
32708
32709 @smallexample
32710 (gdb)
32711 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
32712 ^done,
32713 asm_insns=[
32714 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32715 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32716 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32717 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32718 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
32719 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
32720 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
32721 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32722 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
32723 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
32724 (gdb)
32725 @end smallexample
32726
32727 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
32728 @code{main}.
32729
32730 @smallexample
32731 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
32732 ^done,asm_insns=[
32733 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
32734 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
32735 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32736 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32737 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32738 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32739 [@dots{}]
32740 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
32741 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
32742 (gdb)
32743 @end smallexample
32744
32745 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
32746
32747 @smallexample
32748 (gdb)
32749 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
32750 ^done,asm_insns=[
32751 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
32752 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
32753 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32754 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32755 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32756 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
32757 (gdb)
32758 @end smallexample
32759
32760 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
32761
32762 @smallexample
32763 (gdb)
32764 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
32765 ^done,asm_insns=[
32766 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
32767 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32768 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32769 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107bc",
32770 func-name="main",offset="0",inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
32771 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
32772 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32773 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32774 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107c0",
32775 func-name="main",offset="4",inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32776 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32777 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
32778 (gdb)
32779 @end smallexample
32780
32781
32782 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
32783 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
32784
32785 @subsubheading Synopsis
32786
32787 @smallexample
32788 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
32789 @end smallexample
32790
32791 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
32792 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
32793 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
32794
32795 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32796
32797 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
32798 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
32799 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
32800
32801 @subsubheading Example
32802
32803 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
32804 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
32805 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
32806 output.
32807
32808 @smallexample
32809 211-data-evaluate-expression A
32810 211^done,value="1"
32811 (gdb)
32812 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
32813 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
32814 (gdb)
32815 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
32816 411^done,value="4"
32817 (gdb)
32818 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
32819 511^done,value="4"
32820 (gdb)
32821 @end smallexample
32822
32823
32824 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
32825 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
32826
32827 @subsubheading Synopsis
32828
32829 @smallexample
32830 -data-list-changed-registers
32831 @end smallexample
32832
32833 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
32834
32835 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32836
32837 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
32838 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
32839
32840 @subsubheading Example
32841
32842 On a PPC MBX board:
32843
32844 @smallexample
32845 (gdb)
32846 -exec-continue
32847 ^running
32848
32849 (gdb)
32850 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
32851 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
32852 line="5"@}
32853 (gdb)
32854 -data-list-changed-registers
32855 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
32856 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
32857 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
32858 (gdb)
32859 @end smallexample
32860
32861
32862 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
32863 @findex -data-list-register-names
32864
32865 @subsubheading Synopsis
32866
32867 @smallexample
32868 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
32869 @end smallexample
32870
32871 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
32872 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
32873 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
32874 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
32875 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
32876 include empty register names.
32877
32878 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32879
32880 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
32881 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
32882 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
32883
32884 @subsubheading Example
32885
32886 For the PPC MBX board:
32887 @smallexample
32888 (gdb)
32889 -data-list-register-names
32890 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
32891 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
32892 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
32893 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
32894 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
32895 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
32896 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
32897 (gdb)
32898 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
32899 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
32900 (gdb)
32901 @end smallexample
32902
32903 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
32904 @findex -data-list-register-values
32905
32906 @subsubheading Synopsis
32907
32908 @smallexample
32909 -data-list-register-values
32910 [ @code{--skip-unavailable} ] @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
32911 @end smallexample
32912
32913 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
32914 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
32915 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
32916 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be
32917 returned. The @code{--skip-unavailable} option indicates that only
32918 the available registers are to be returned.
32919
32920 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
32921
32922 @table @code
32923 @item x
32924 Hexadecimal
32925 @item o
32926 Octal
32927 @item t
32928 Binary
32929 @item d
32930 Decimal
32931 @item r
32932 Raw
32933 @item N
32934 Natural
32935 @end table
32936
32937 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32938
32939 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
32940 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
32941
32942 @subsubheading Example
32943
32944 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
32945 don't appear in the actual output):
32946
32947 @smallexample
32948 (gdb)
32949 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
32950 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
32951 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
32952 (gdb)
32953 -data-list-register-values x
32954 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
32955 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
32956 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
32957 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
32958 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
32959 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
32960 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
32961 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
32962 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
32963 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
32964 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
32965 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
32966 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
32967 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
32968 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
32969 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
32970 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
32971 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
32972 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
32973 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
32974 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
32975 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
32976 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
32977 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
32978 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
32979 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
32980 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
32981 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
32982 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
32983 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
32984 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
32985 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
32986 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
32987 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
32988 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
32989 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
32990 (gdb)
32991 @end smallexample
32992
32993
32994 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
32995 @findex -data-read-memory
32996
32997 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
32998
32999 @subsubheading Synopsis
33000
33001 @smallexample
33002 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
33003 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
33004 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
33005 @end smallexample
33006
33007 @noindent
33008 where:
33009
33010 @table @samp
33011 @item @var{address}
33012 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
33013 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
33014 quoted using the C convention.
33015
33016 @item @var{word-format}
33017 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
33018 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
33019 ,Output Formats}).
33020
33021 @item @var{word-size}
33022 The size of each memory word in bytes.
33023
33024 @item @var{nr-rows}
33025 The number of rows in the output table.
33026
33027 @item @var{nr-cols}
33028 The number of columns in the output table.
33029
33030 @item @var{aschar}
33031 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
33032 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
33033 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
33034 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
33035
33036 @item @var{byte-offset}
33037 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
33038 @end table
33039
33040 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
33041 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
33042 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
33043 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
33044 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
33045 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
33046 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
33047 @samp{addr}.
33048
33049 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
33050 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
33051 @samp{prev-page}.
33052
33053 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33054
33055 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
33056 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
33057
33058 @subsubheading Example
33059
33060 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
33061 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
33062 word. Display each word in hex.
33063
33064 @smallexample
33065 (gdb)
33066 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
33067 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
33068 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
33069 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
33070 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
33071 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
33072 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
33073 (gdb)
33074 @end smallexample
33075
33076 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
33077 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
33078
33079 @smallexample
33080 (gdb)
33081 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
33082 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
33083 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
33084 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
33085 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
33086 (gdb)
33087 @end smallexample
33088
33089 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
33090 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
33091 used as the non-printable character.
33092
33093 @smallexample
33094 (gdb)
33095 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
33096 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
33097 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
33098 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
33099 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
33100 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
33101 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
33102 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
33103 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
33104 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
33105 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
33106 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
33107 (gdb)
33108 @end smallexample
33109
33110 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
33111 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
33112
33113 @subsubheading Synopsis
33114
33115 @smallexample
33116 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
33117 @var{address} @var{count}
33118 @end smallexample
33119
33120 @noindent
33121 where:
33122
33123 @table @samp
33124 @item @var{address}
33125 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
33126 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
33127 quoted using the C convention.
33128
33129 @item @var{count}
33130 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
33131
33132 @item @var{byte-offset}
33133 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
33134 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
33135 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
33136 perform address arithmetics itself.
33137
33138 @end table
33139
33140 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
33141 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
33142 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
33143 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
33144 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
33145 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
33146
33147 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
33148 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
33149 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
33150 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
33151 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
33152 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
33153 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
33154 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
33155
33156 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
33157 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
33158 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
33159 and has the following fields:
33160
33161 @table @code
33162 @item begin
33163 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
33164
33165 @item end
33166 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
33167
33168 @item offset
33169 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
33170 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
33171
33172 @item contents
33173 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
33174
33175 @end table
33176
33177
33178
33179 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33180
33181 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
33182
33183 @subsubheading Example
33184
33185 @smallexample
33186 (gdb)
33187 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
33188 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
33189 end="0xbffff15e",
33190 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
33191 (gdb)
33192 @end smallexample
33193
33194
33195 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
33196 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
33197
33198 @subsubheading Synopsis
33199
33200 @smallexample
33201 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
33202 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents} @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
33203 @end smallexample
33204
33205 @noindent
33206 where:
33207
33208 @table @samp
33209 @item @var{address}
33210 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
33211 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
33212 quoted using the C convention.
33213
33214 @item @var{contents}
33215 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
33216
33217 @item @var{count}
33218 Optional argument indicating the number of bytes to be written. If @var{count}
33219 is greater than @var{contents}' length, @value{GDBN} will repeatedly
33220 write @var{contents} until it fills @var{count} bytes.
33221
33222 @end table
33223
33224 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33225
33226 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
33227
33228 @subsubheading Example
33229
33230 @smallexample
33231 (gdb)
33232 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
33233 ^done
33234 (gdb)
33235 @end smallexample
33236
33237 @smallexample
33238 (gdb)
33239 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd" 16e
33240 ^done
33241 (gdb)
33242 @end smallexample
33243
33244 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33245 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
33246 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
33247
33248 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
33249 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
33250
33251 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
33252 @findex -trace-find
33253
33254 @subsubheading Synopsis
33255
33256 @smallexample
33257 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
33258 @end smallexample
33259
33260 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
33261 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
33262 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
33263
33264 @table @samp
33265
33266 @item none
33267 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
33268
33269 @item frame-number
33270 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
33271 that index.
33272
33273 @item tracepoint-number
33274 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
33275 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
33276
33277 @item pc
33278 An address is required as parameter. Finds
33279 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
33280 address.
33281
33282 @item pc-inside-range
33283 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
33284 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
33285 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
33286
33287 @item pc-outside-range
33288 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
33289 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
33290 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
33291
33292 @item line
33293 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
33294 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
33295 the specified location.
33296
33297 @end table
33298
33299 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
33300 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
33301
33302 @table @samp
33303 @item found
33304 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
33305 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
33306
33307 @item traceframe
33308 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
33309 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
33310
33311 @item tracepoint
33312 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
33313 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
33314
33315 @item frame
33316 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
33317 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
33318 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
33319
33320 @end table
33321
33322 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33323
33324 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
33325
33326 @subheading -trace-define-variable
33327 @findex -trace-define-variable
33328
33329 @subsubheading Synopsis
33330
33331 @smallexample
33332 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
33333 @end smallexample
33334
33335 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
33336 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
33337 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
33338 with the @samp{$} character.
33339
33340 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33341
33342 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
33343
33344 @subheading The @code{-trace-frame-collected} Command
33345 @findex -trace-frame-collected
33346
33347 @subsubheading Synopsis
33348
33349 @smallexample
33350 -trace-frame-collected
33351 [--var-print-values @var{var_pval}]
33352 [--comp-print-values @var{comp_pval}]
33353 [--registers-format @var{regformat}]
33354 [--memory-contents]
33355 @end smallexample
33356
33357 This command returns the set of collected objects, register names,
33358 trace state variable names, memory ranges and computed expressions
33359 that have been collected at a particular trace frame. The optional
33360 parameters to the command affect the output format in different ways.
33361 See the output description table below for more details.
33362
33363 The reported names can be used in the normal manner to create
33364 varobjs and inspect the objects themselves. The items returned by
33365 this command are categorized so that it is clear which is a variable,
33366 which is a register, which is a trace state variable, which is a
33367 memory range and which is a computed expression.
33368
33369 For instance, if the actions were
33370 @smallexample
33371 collect myVar, myArray[myIndex], myObj.field, myPtr->field, myCount + 2
33372 collect *(int*)0xaf02bef0@@40
33373 @end smallexample
33374
33375 @noindent
33376 the object collected in its entirety would be @code{myVar}. The
33377 object @code{myArray} would be partially collected, because only the
33378 element at index @code{myIndex} would be collected. The remaining
33379 objects would be computed expressions.
33380
33381 An example output would be:
33382
33383 @smallexample
33384 (gdb)
33385 -trace-frame-collected
33386 ^done,
33387 explicit-variables=[@{name="myVar",value="1"@}],
33388 computed-expressions=[@{name="myArray[myIndex]",value="0"@},
33389 @{name="myObj.field",value="0"@},
33390 @{name="myPtr->field",value="1"@},
33391 @{name="myCount + 2",value="3"@},
33392 @{name="$tvar1 + 1",value="43970027"@}],
33393 registers=[@{number="0",value="0x7fe2c6e79ec8"@},
33394 @{number="1",value="0x0"@},
33395 @{number="2",value="0x4"@},
33396 ...
33397 @{number="125",value="0x0"@}],
33398 tvars=[@{name="$tvar1",current="43970026"@}],
33399 memory=[@{address="0x0000000000602264",length="4"@},
33400 @{address="0x0000000000615bc0",length="4"@}]
33401 (gdb)
33402 @end smallexample
33403
33404 Where:
33405
33406 @table @code
33407 @item explicit-variables
33408 The set of objects that have been collected in their entirety (as
33409 opposed to collecting just a few elements of an array or a few struct
33410 members). For each object, its name and value are printed.
33411 The @code{--var-print-values} option affects how or whether the value
33412 field is output. If @var{var_pval} is 0, then print only the names;
33413 if it is 1, print also their values; and if it is 2, print the name,
33414 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for
33415 arrays, structures and unions.
33416
33417 @item computed-expressions
33418 The set of computed expressions that have been collected at the
33419 current trace frame. The @code{--comp-print-values} option affects
33420 this set like the @code{--var-print-values} option affects the
33421 @code{explicit-variables} set. See above.
33422
33423 @item registers
33424 The registers that have been collected at the current trace frame.
33425 For each register collected, the name and current value are returned.
33426 The value is formatted according to the @code{--registers-format}
33427 option. See the @command{-data-list-register-values} command for a
33428 list of the allowed formats. The default is @samp{x}.
33429
33430 @item tvars
33431 The trace state variables that have been collected at the current
33432 trace frame. For each trace state variable collected, the name and
33433 current value are returned.
33434
33435 @item memory
33436 The set of memory ranges that have been collected at the current trace
33437 frame. Its content is a list of tuples. Each tuple represents a
33438 collected memory range and has the following fields:
33439
33440 @table @code
33441 @item address
33442 The start address of the memory range, as hexadecimal literal.
33443
33444 @item length
33445 The length of the memory range, as decimal literal.
33446
33447 @item contents
33448 The contents of the memory block, in hex. This field is only present
33449 if the @code{--memory-contents} option is specified.
33450
33451 @end table
33452
33453 @end table
33454
33455 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33456
33457 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
33458
33459 @subsubheading Example
33460
33461 @subheading -trace-list-variables
33462 @findex -trace-list-variables
33463
33464 @subsubheading Synopsis
33465
33466 @smallexample
33467 -trace-list-variables
33468 @end smallexample
33469
33470 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
33471 table has the following fields:
33472
33473 @table @samp
33474 @item name
33475 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
33476
33477 @item initial
33478 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
33479 field is always present.
33480
33481 @item current
33482 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
33483 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
33484 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
33485 presently running.
33486
33487 @end table
33488
33489 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33490
33491 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
33492
33493 @subsubheading Example
33494
33495 @smallexample
33496 (gdb)
33497 -trace-list-variables
33498 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
33499 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
33500 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
33501 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
33502 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
33503 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
33504 (gdb)
33505 @end smallexample
33506
33507 @subheading -trace-save
33508 @findex -trace-save
33509
33510 @subsubheading Synopsis
33511
33512 @smallexample
33513 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
33514 @end smallexample
33515
33516 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
33517 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
33518 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
33519 to perform the save.
33520
33521 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33522
33523 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
33524
33525
33526 @subheading -trace-start
33527 @findex -trace-start
33528
33529 @subsubheading Synopsis
33530
33531 @smallexample
33532 -trace-start
33533 @end smallexample
33534
33535 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
33536 have any fields.
33537
33538 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33539
33540 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
33541
33542 @subheading -trace-status
33543 @findex -trace-status
33544
33545 @subsubheading Synopsis
33546
33547 @smallexample
33548 -trace-status
33549 @end smallexample
33550
33551 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
33552 the following fields:
33553
33554 @table @samp
33555
33556 @item supported
33557 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
33558 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
33559 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
33560 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
33561 started. This field is always present.
33562
33563 @item running
33564 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
33565 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
33566 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
33567
33568 @item stop-reason
33569 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
33570 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
33571 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
33572 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
33573 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
33574 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
33575 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
33576 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
33577 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
33578
33579 @item stopping-tracepoint
33580 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
33581 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
33582 @samp{passcount}.
33583
33584 @item frames
33585 @itemx frames-created
33586 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
33587 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
33588 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
33589 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
33590
33591 @item buffer-size
33592 @itemx buffer-free
33593 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
33594 remaining space. These fields are optional.
33595
33596 @item circular
33597 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
33598 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
33599 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
33600 and may fill up.
33601
33602 @item disconnected
33603 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
33604 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
33605 that the trace run will stop.
33606
33607 @item trace-file
33608 The filename of the trace file being examined. This field is
33609 optional, and only present when examining a trace file.
33610
33611 @end table
33612
33613 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33614
33615 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
33616
33617 @subheading -trace-stop
33618 @findex -trace-stop
33619
33620 @subsubheading Synopsis
33621
33622 @smallexample
33623 -trace-stop
33624 @end smallexample
33625
33626 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
33627 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
33628 @samp{running} fields are not output.
33629
33630 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33631
33632 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
33633
33634
33635 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33636 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
33637 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
33638
33639
33640 @ignore
33641 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
33642 @findex -symbol-info-address
33643
33644 @subsubheading Synopsis
33645
33646 @smallexample
33647 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
33648 @end smallexample
33649
33650 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
33651
33652 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33653
33654 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
33655
33656 @subsubheading Example
33657 N.A.
33658
33659
33660 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
33661 @findex -symbol-info-file
33662
33663 @subsubheading Synopsis
33664
33665 @smallexample
33666 -symbol-info-file
33667 @end smallexample
33668
33669 Show the file for the symbol.
33670
33671 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33672
33673 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
33674 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
33675
33676 @subsubheading Example
33677 N.A.
33678
33679
33680 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
33681 @findex -symbol-info-function
33682
33683 @subsubheading Synopsis
33684
33685 @smallexample
33686 -symbol-info-function
33687 @end smallexample
33688
33689 Show which function the symbol lives in.
33690
33691 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33692
33693 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
33694
33695 @subsubheading Example
33696 N.A.
33697
33698
33699 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
33700 @findex -symbol-info-line
33701
33702 @subsubheading Synopsis
33703
33704 @smallexample
33705 -symbol-info-line
33706 @end smallexample
33707
33708 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
33709
33710 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33711
33712 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
33713 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
33714
33715 @subsubheading Example
33716 N.A.
33717
33718
33719 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
33720 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
33721
33722 @subsubheading Synopsis
33723
33724 @smallexample
33725 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
33726 @end smallexample
33727
33728 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
33729
33730 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33731
33732 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
33733
33734 @subsubheading Example
33735 N.A.
33736
33737
33738 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
33739 @findex -symbol-list-functions
33740
33741 @subsubheading Synopsis
33742
33743 @smallexample
33744 -symbol-list-functions
33745 @end smallexample
33746
33747 List the functions in the executable.
33748
33749 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33750
33751 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
33752 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33753
33754 @subsubheading Example
33755 N.A.
33756 @end ignore
33757
33758
33759 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
33760 @findex -symbol-list-lines
33761
33762 @subsubheading Synopsis
33763
33764 @smallexample
33765 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
33766 @end smallexample
33767
33768 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
33769 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
33770 ascending PC order.
33771
33772 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33773
33774 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
33775
33776 @subsubheading Example
33777 @smallexample
33778 (gdb)
33779 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
33780 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
33781 (gdb)
33782 @end smallexample
33783
33784
33785 @ignore
33786 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
33787 @findex -symbol-list-types
33788
33789 @subsubheading Synopsis
33790
33791 @smallexample
33792 -symbol-list-types
33793 @end smallexample
33794
33795 List all the type names.
33796
33797 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33798
33799 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
33800 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33801
33802 @subsubheading Example
33803 N.A.
33804
33805
33806 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
33807 @findex -symbol-list-variables
33808
33809 @subsubheading Synopsis
33810
33811 @smallexample
33812 -symbol-list-variables
33813 @end smallexample
33814
33815 List all the global and static variable names.
33816
33817 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33818
33819 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33820
33821 @subsubheading Example
33822 N.A.
33823
33824
33825 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
33826 @findex -symbol-locate
33827
33828 @subsubheading Synopsis
33829
33830 @smallexample
33831 -symbol-locate
33832 @end smallexample
33833
33834 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33835
33836 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
33837
33838 @subsubheading Example
33839 N.A.
33840
33841
33842 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
33843 @findex -symbol-type
33844
33845 @subsubheading Synopsis
33846
33847 @smallexample
33848 -symbol-type @var{variable}
33849 @end smallexample
33850
33851 Show type of @var{variable}.
33852
33853 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33854
33855 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
33856 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
33857
33858 @subsubheading Example
33859 N.A.
33860 @end ignore
33861
33862
33863 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33864 @node GDB/MI File Commands
33865 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
33866
33867 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
33868 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
33869
33870 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
33871 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
33872
33873 @subsubheading Synopsis
33874
33875 @smallexample
33876 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
33877 @end smallexample
33878
33879 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
33880 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
33881 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
33882 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
33883 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
33884 notification.
33885
33886 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33887
33888 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
33889
33890 @subsubheading Example
33891
33892 @smallexample
33893 (gdb)
33894 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
33895 ^done
33896 (gdb)
33897 @end smallexample
33898
33899
33900 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
33901 @findex -file-exec-file
33902
33903 @subsubheading Synopsis
33904
33905 @smallexample
33906 -file-exec-file @var{file}
33907 @end smallexample
33908
33909 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
33910 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
33911 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
33912 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
33913 notification.
33914
33915 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33916
33917 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
33918
33919 @subsubheading Example
33920
33921 @smallexample
33922 (gdb)
33923 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
33924 ^done
33925 (gdb)
33926 @end smallexample
33927
33928
33929 @ignore
33930 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
33931 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
33932
33933 @subsubheading Synopsis
33934
33935 @smallexample
33936 -file-list-exec-sections
33937 @end smallexample
33938
33939 List the sections of the current executable file.
33940
33941 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33942
33943 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
33944 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
33945 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
33946
33947 @subsubheading Example
33948 N.A.
33949 @end ignore
33950
33951
33952 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
33953 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
33954
33955 @subsubheading Synopsis
33956
33957 @smallexample
33958 -file-list-exec-source-file
33959 @end smallexample
33960
33961 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
33962 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
33963 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
33964 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
33965
33966 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33967
33968 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
33969
33970 @subsubheading Example
33971
33972 @smallexample
33973 (gdb)
33974 123-file-list-exec-source-file
33975 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
33976 (gdb)
33977 @end smallexample
33978
33979
33980 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
33981 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
33982
33983 @subsubheading Synopsis
33984
33985 @smallexample
33986 -file-list-exec-source-files
33987 @end smallexample
33988
33989 List the source files for the current executable.
33990
33991 It will always output both the filename and fullname (absolute file
33992 name) of a source file.
33993
33994 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33995
33996 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
33997 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
33998
33999 @subsubheading Example
34000 @smallexample
34001 (gdb)
34002 -file-list-exec-source-files
34003 ^done,files=[
34004 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
34005 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
34006 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
34007 (gdb)
34008 @end smallexample
34009
34010 @ignore
34011 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
34012 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
34013
34014 @subsubheading Synopsis
34015
34016 @smallexample
34017 -file-list-shared-libraries
34018 @end smallexample
34019
34020 List the shared libraries in the program.
34021
34022 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34023
34024 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
34025
34026 @subsubheading Example
34027 N.A.
34028
34029
34030 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
34031 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
34032
34033 @subsubheading Synopsis
34034
34035 @smallexample
34036 -file-list-symbol-files
34037 @end smallexample
34038
34039 List symbol files.
34040
34041 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34042
34043 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
34044
34045 @subsubheading Example
34046 N.A.
34047 @end ignore
34048
34049
34050 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
34051 @findex -file-symbol-file
34052
34053 @subsubheading Synopsis
34054
34055 @smallexample
34056 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
34057 @end smallexample
34058
34059 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
34060 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
34061 produced, except for a completion notification.
34062
34063 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34064
34065 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
34066
34067 @subsubheading Example
34068
34069 @smallexample
34070 (gdb)
34071 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
34072 ^done
34073 (gdb)
34074 @end smallexample
34075
34076 @ignore
34077 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34078 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
34079 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
34080
34081 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
34082
34083 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
34084
34085 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
34086
34087 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
34088
34089 @c @subheading -overlay-map
34090
34091 @c @subheading -overlay-off
34092
34093 @c @subheading -overlay-on
34094
34095 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
34096
34097 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34098 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
34099 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
34100
34101 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
34102
34103 @c @subheading -signal-handle
34104
34105 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
34106
34107 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
34108 @end ignore
34109
34110
34111 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34112 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
34113 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
34114
34115
34116 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
34117 @findex -target-attach
34118
34119 @subsubheading Synopsis
34120
34121 @smallexample
34122 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
34123 @end smallexample
34124
34125 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
34126 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
34127 group, the id previously returned by
34128 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
34129
34130 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34131
34132 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
34133
34134 @subsubheading Example
34135 @smallexample
34136 (gdb)
34137 -target-attach 34
34138 =thread-created,id="1"
34139 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
34140 ^done
34141 (gdb)
34142 @end smallexample
34143
34144 @ignore
34145 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
34146 @findex -target-compare-sections
34147
34148 @subsubheading Synopsis
34149
34150 @smallexample
34151 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
34152 @end smallexample
34153
34154 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
34155 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
34156
34157 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34158
34159 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
34160
34161 @subsubheading Example
34162 N.A.
34163 @end ignore
34164
34165
34166 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
34167 @findex -target-detach
34168
34169 @subsubheading Synopsis
34170
34171 @smallexample
34172 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
34173 @end smallexample
34174
34175 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
34176 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
34177 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
34178
34179 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34180
34181 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
34182
34183 @subsubheading Example
34184
34185 @smallexample
34186 (gdb)
34187 -target-detach
34188 ^done
34189 (gdb)
34190 @end smallexample
34191
34192
34193 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
34194 @findex -target-disconnect
34195
34196 @subsubheading Synopsis
34197
34198 @smallexample
34199 -target-disconnect
34200 @end smallexample
34201
34202 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
34203 generally not resumed.
34204
34205 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34206
34207 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
34208
34209 @subsubheading Example
34210
34211 @smallexample
34212 (gdb)
34213 -target-disconnect
34214 ^done
34215 (gdb)
34216 @end smallexample
34217
34218
34219 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
34220 @findex -target-download
34221
34222 @subsubheading Synopsis
34223
34224 @smallexample
34225 -target-download
34226 @end smallexample
34227
34228 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
34229 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
34230
34231 @table @samp
34232 @item section
34233 The name of the section.
34234 @item section-sent
34235 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
34236 @item section-size
34237 The size of the section.
34238 @item total-sent
34239 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
34240 @item total-size
34241 The size of the overall executable to download.
34242 @end table
34243
34244 @noindent
34245 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
34246 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
34247
34248 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
34249 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
34250
34251 @table @samp
34252 @item section
34253 The name of the section.
34254 @item section-size
34255 The size of the section.
34256 @item total-size
34257 The size of the overall executable to download.
34258 @end table
34259
34260 @noindent
34261 At the end, a summary is printed.
34262
34263 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34264
34265 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
34266
34267 @subsubheading Example
34268
34269 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
34270 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
34271
34272 @smallexample
34273 (gdb)
34274 -target-download
34275 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
34276 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
34277 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
34278 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
34279 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
34280 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
34281 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
34282 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
34283 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
34284 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
34285 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
34286 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
34287 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
34288 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
34289 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
34290 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
34291 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
34292 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
34293 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
34294 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
34295 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
34296 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
34297 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
34298 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
34299 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
34300 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
34301 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
34302 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
34303 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
34304 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
34305 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
34306 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
34307 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
34308 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
34309 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
34310 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
34311 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
34312 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
34313 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
34314 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
34315 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
34316 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
34317 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
34318 write-rate="429"
34319 (gdb)
34320 @end smallexample
34321
34322
34323 @ignore
34324 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
34325 @findex -target-exec-status
34326
34327 @subsubheading Synopsis
34328
34329 @smallexample
34330 -target-exec-status
34331 @end smallexample
34332
34333 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
34334 not, for instance).
34335
34336 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34337
34338 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
34339
34340 @subsubheading Example
34341 N.A.
34342
34343
34344 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
34345 @findex -target-list-available-targets
34346
34347 @subsubheading Synopsis
34348
34349 @smallexample
34350 -target-list-available-targets
34351 @end smallexample
34352
34353 List the possible targets to connect to.
34354
34355 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34356
34357 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
34358
34359 @subsubheading Example
34360 N.A.
34361
34362
34363 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
34364 @findex -target-list-current-targets
34365
34366 @subsubheading Synopsis
34367
34368 @smallexample
34369 -target-list-current-targets
34370 @end smallexample
34371
34372 Describe the current target.
34373
34374 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34375
34376 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
34377 other things).
34378
34379 @subsubheading Example
34380 N.A.
34381
34382
34383 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
34384 @findex -target-list-parameters
34385
34386 @subsubheading Synopsis
34387
34388 @smallexample
34389 -target-list-parameters
34390 @end smallexample
34391
34392 @c ????
34393 @end ignore
34394
34395 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34396
34397 No equivalent.
34398
34399 @subsubheading Example
34400 N.A.
34401
34402
34403 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
34404 @findex -target-select
34405
34406 @subsubheading Synopsis
34407
34408 @smallexample
34409 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
34410 @end smallexample
34411
34412 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
34413
34414 @table @samp
34415 @item @var{type}
34416 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
34417 @item @var{parameters}
34418 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
34419 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
34420 @end table
34421
34422 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
34423 which the target program is, in the following form:
34424
34425 @smallexample
34426 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
34427 args=[@var{arg list}]
34428 @end smallexample
34429
34430 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34431
34432 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
34433
34434 @subsubheading Example
34435
34436 @smallexample
34437 (gdb)
34438 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
34439 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
34440 (gdb)
34441 @end smallexample
34442
34443 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34444 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
34445 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
34446
34447
34448 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
34449 @findex -target-file-put
34450
34451 @subsubheading Synopsis
34452
34453 @smallexample
34454 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
34455 @end smallexample
34456
34457 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
34458 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
34459
34460 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34461
34462 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
34463
34464 @subsubheading Example
34465
34466 @smallexample
34467 (gdb)
34468 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
34469 ^done
34470 (gdb)
34471 @end smallexample
34472
34473
34474 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
34475 @findex -target-file-get
34476
34477 @subsubheading Synopsis
34478
34479 @smallexample
34480 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
34481 @end smallexample
34482
34483 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
34484 on the host system.
34485
34486 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34487
34488 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
34489
34490 @subsubheading Example
34491
34492 @smallexample
34493 (gdb)
34494 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
34495 ^done
34496 (gdb)
34497 @end smallexample
34498
34499
34500 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
34501 @findex -target-file-delete
34502
34503 @subsubheading Synopsis
34504
34505 @smallexample
34506 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
34507 @end smallexample
34508
34509 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
34510
34511 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34512
34513 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
34514
34515 @subsubheading Example
34516
34517 @smallexample
34518 (gdb)
34519 -target-file-delete remotefile
34520 ^done
34521 (gdb)
34522 @end smallexample
34523
34524
34525 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34526 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
34527 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
34528
34529 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
34530
34531 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
34532 @findex -gdb-exit
34533
34534 @subsubheading Synopsis
34535
34536 @smallexample
34537 -gdb-exit
34538 @end smallexample
34539
34540 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
34541
34542 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34543
34544 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
34545
34546 @subsubheading Example
34547
34548 @smallexample
34549 (gdb)
34550 -gdb-exit
34551 ^exit
34552 @end smallexample
34553
34554
34555 @ignore
34556 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
34557 @findex -exec-abort
34558
34559 @subsubheading Synopsis
34560
34561 @smallexample
34562 -exec-abort
34563 @end smallexample
34564
34565 Kill the inferior running program.
34566
34567 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34568
34569 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
34570
34571 @subsubheading Example
34572 N.A.
34573 @end ignore
34574
34575
34576 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
34577 @findex -gdb-set
34578
34579 @subsubheading Synopsis
34580
34581 @smallexample
34582 -gdb-set
34583 @end smallexample
34584
34585 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
34586 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
34587
34588 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34589
34590 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
34591
34592 @subsubheading Example
34593
34594 @smallexample
34595 (gdb)
34596 -gdb-set $foo=3
34597 ^done
34598 (gdb)
34599 @end smallexample
34600
34601
34602 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
34603 @findex -gdb-show
34604
34605 @subsubheading Synopsis
34606
34607 @smallexample
34608 -gdb-show
34609 @end smallexample
34610
34611 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
34612
34613 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34614
34615 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
34616
34617 @subsubheading Example
34618
34619 @smallexample
34620 (gdb)
34621 -gdb-show annotate
34622 ^done,value="0"
34623 (gdb)
34624 @end smallexample
34625
34626 @c @subheading -gdb-source
34627
34628
34629 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
34630 @findex -gdb-version
34631
34632 @subsubheading Synopsis
34633
34634 @smallexample
34635 -gdb-version
34636 @end smallexample
34637
34638 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
34639
34640 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34641
34642 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
34643 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
34644
34645 @subsubheading Example
34646
34647 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
34648 @c box in TeX.
34649 @smallexample
34650 (gdb)
34651 -gdb-version
34652 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
34653 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
34654 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
34655 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
34656 ~ certain conditions.
34657 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
34658 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
34659 ~ details.
34660 ~This GDB was configured as
34661 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
34662 ^done
34663 (gdb)
34664 @end smallexample
34665
34666 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
34667 @findex -list-features
34668
34669 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
34670 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
34671 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
34672 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
34673 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
34674 startup.
34675
34676 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
34677 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
34678 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
34679 is given below.
34680
34681 Example output:
34682
34683 @smallexample
34684 (gdb) -list-features
34685 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
34686 @end smallexample
34687
34688 The current list of features is:
34689
34690 @table @samp
34691 @item frozen-varobjs
34692 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
34693 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
34694 of @code{-varobj-create}.
34695 @item pending-breakpoints
34696 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
34697 command.
34698 @item python
34699 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
34700 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
34701 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
34702 @item thread-info
34703 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
34704 @item data-read-memory-bytes
34705 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
34706 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
34707 @item breakpoint-notifications
34708 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
34709 CLI will be announced via async records.
34710 @item ada-task-info
34711 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
34712 @end table
34713
34714 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
34715 @findex -list-target-features
34716
34717 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
34718 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
34719 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
34720 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
34721 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
34722 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
34723 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
34724 Example output:
34725
34726 @smallexample
34727 (gdb) -list-target-features
34728 ^done,result=["async"]
34729 @end smallexample
34730
34731 The current list of features is:
34732
34733 @table @samp
34734 @item async
34735 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
34736 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
34737 while the target is running.
34738
34739 @item reverse
34740 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
34741 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
34742
34743 @end table
34744
34745 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
34746 @findex -list-thread-groups
34747
34748 @subheading Synopsis
34749
34750 @smallexample
34751 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
34752 @end smallexample
34753
34754 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
34755 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
34756 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
34757 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
34758 top-level thread groups.
34759
34760 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
34761 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
34762 available on the target.
34763
34764 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
34765 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
34766 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
34767 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
34768 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
34769 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
34770 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
34771 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
34772
34773 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
34774 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
34775 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
34776 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
34777 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
34778 @samp{threads} field.
34779
34780 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
34781 the following caveats:
34782
34783 @itemize @bullet
34784 @item
34785 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
34786 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
34787 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
34788
34789 @item
34790 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
34791 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
34792 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
34793 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
34794 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
34795 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
34796
34797 @end itemize
34798
34799 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
34800 have the following fields:
34801
34802 @table @code
34803 @item id
34804 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
34805 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
34806 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
34807
34808 @item type
34809 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
34810 valid type.
34811
34812 @item pid
34813 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
34814 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
34815
34816 @item num_children
34817 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
34818 absent for an available thread group.
34819
34820 @item threads
34821 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
34822 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
34823 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
34824
34825 @item cores
34826 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
34827 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
34828 such information is not available.
34829
34830 @item executable
34831 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
34832 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
34833 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
34834
34835 @end table
34836
34837 @subheading Example
34838
34839 @smallexample
34840 @value{GDBP}
34841 -list-thread-groups
34842 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
34843 -list-thread-groups 17
34844 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
34845 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
34846 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
34847 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
34848 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
34849 -list-thread-groups --available
34850 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
34851 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
34852 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
34853 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
34854 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
34855 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
34856 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
34857 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
34858 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
34859 @end smallexample
34860
34861 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
34862 @findex -info-os
34863
34864 @subsubheading Synopsis
34865
34866 @smallexample
34867 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
34868 @end smallexample
34869
34870 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
34871 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
34872 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
34873 of data of that type.
34874
34875 The types of information available depend on the target operating
34876 system.
34877
34878 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34879
34880 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
34881
34882 @subsubheading Example
34883
34884 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
34885 like this:
34886
34887 @smallexample
34888 @value{GDBP}
34889 -info-os
34890 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="9",nr_cols="3",
34891 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
34892 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
34893 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
34894 body=[item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
34895 col2="Processes"@},
34896 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
34897 col2="Process groups"@},
34898 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
34899 col2="Threads"@},
34900 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
34901 col2="File descriptors"@},
34902 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
34903 col2="Sockets"@},
34904 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
34905 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
34906 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
34907 col2="Semaphores"@},
34908 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
34909 col2="Message queues"@},
34910 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
34911 col2="Kernel modules"@}]@}
34912 @value{GDBP}
34913 -info-os processes
34914 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
34915 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
34916 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
34917 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
34918 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
34919 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
34920 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
34921 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
34922 ...
34923 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
34924 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
34925 (gdb)
34926 @end smallexample
34927
34928 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
34929 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
34930 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
34931 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
34932 @code{info os} omits it.)
34933
34934 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
34935 @findex -add-inferior
34936
34937 @subheading Synopsis
34938
34939 @smallexample
34940 -add-inferior
34941 @end smallexample
34942
34943 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
34944 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
34945 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
34946 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
34947 field, @samp{inferior}, whose value is the identifier of the
34948 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
34949
34950 @subheading Example
34951
34952 @smallexample
34953 @value{GDBP}
34954 -add-inferior
34955 ^done,inferior="i3"
34956 @end smallexample
34957
34958 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
34959 @findex -interpreter-exec
34960
34961 @subheading Synopsis
34962
34963 @smallexample
34964 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
34965 @end smallexample
34966 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
34967
34968 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
34969
34970 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34971
34972 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
34973
34974 @subheading Example
34975
34976 @smallexample
34977 (gdb)
34978 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
34979 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
34980 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
34981 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
34982 ^done
34983 (gdb)
34984 @end smallexample
34985
34986 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
34987 @findex -inferior-tty-set
34988
34989 @subheading Synopsis
34990
34991 @smallexample
34992 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
34993 @end smallexample
34994
34995 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
34996
34997 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34998
34999 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
35000
35001 @subheading Example
35002
35003 @smallexample
35004 (gdb)
35005 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
35006 ^done
35007 (gdb)
35008 @end smallexample
35009
35010 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
35011 @findex -inferior-tty-show
35012
35013 @subheading Synopsis
35014
35015 @smallexample
35016 -inferior-tty-show
35017 @end smallexample
35018
35019 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
35020
35021 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
35022
35023 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
35024
35025 @subheading Example
35026
35027 @smallexample
35028 (gdb)
35029 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
35030 ^done
35031 (gdb)
35032 -inferior-tty-show
35033 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
35034 (gdb)
35035 @end smallexample
35036
35037 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
35038 @findex -enable-timings
35039
35040 @subheading Synopsis
35041
35042 @smallexample
35043 -enable-timings [yes | no]
35044 @end smallexample
35045
35046 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
35047 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
35048 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
35049 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
35050
35051 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
35052
35053 No equivalent.
35054
35055 @subheading Example
35056
35057 @smallexample
35058 (gdb)
35059 -enable-timings
35060 ^done
35061 (gdb)
35062 -break-insert main
35063 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
35064 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
35065 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",thread-groups=["i1"],
35066 times="0"@},
35067 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
35068 (gdb)
35069 -enable-timings no
35070 ^done
35071 (gdb)
35072 -exec-run
35073 ^running
35074 (gdb)
35075 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
35076 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
35077 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
35078 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
35079 (gdb)
35080 @end smallexample
35081
35082 @node Annotations
35083 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
35084
35085 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
35086 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
35087 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
35088 relatively high level.
35089
35090 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
35091 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
35092
35093 @ignore
35094 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
35095 @end ignore
35096
35097 @menu
35098 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
35099 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
35100 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
35101 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
35102 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
35103 * Annotations for Running::
35104 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
35105 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
35106 @end menu
35107
35108 @node Annotations Overview
35109 @section What is an Annotation?
35110 @cindex annotations
35111
35112 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
35113 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
35114 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
35115 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
35116 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
35117 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
35118 cannot contain newline characters.
35119
35120 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
35121 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
35122 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
35123 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
35124 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
35125 means those three characters as output.
35126
35127 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
35128 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
35129 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
35130 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
35131 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
35132 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
35133 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
35134 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
35135 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
35136
35137 @table @code
35138 @kindex set annotate
35139 @item set annotate @var{level}
35140 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
35141 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
35142
35143 @item show annotate
35144 @kindex show annotate
35145 Show the current annotation level.
35146 @end table
35147
35148 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
35149
35150 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
35151
35152 @smallexample
35153 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
35154 GNU gdb 6.0
35155 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
35156 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
35157 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
35158 under certain conditions.
35159 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
35160 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
35161 for details.
35162 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
35163
35164 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
35165 (@value{GDBP})
35166 ^Z^Zprompt
35167 @kbd{quit}
35168
35169 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
35170 $
35171 @end smallexample
35172
35173 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
35174 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
35175 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
35176 output from @value{GDBN}.
35177
35178 @node Server Prefix
35179 @section The Server Prefix
35180 @cindex server prefix
35181
35182 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
35183 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
35184 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
35185 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
35186 a transparent manner.
35187
35188 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
35189 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
35190 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
35191 @code{print} command.
35192
35193 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
35194 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
35195
35196 @node Prompting
35197 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
35198
35199 @cindex annotations for prompts
35200 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
35201 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
35202 over, etc.
35203
35204 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
35205 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
35206 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
35207 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
35208 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
35209 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
35210 features the following annotations:
35211
35212 @smallexample
35213 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
35214 ^Z^Zprompt
35215 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
35216 @end smallexample
35217
35218 The input types are
35219
35220 @table @code
35221 @findex pre-prompt annotation
35222 @findex prompt annotation
35223 @findex post-prompt annotation
35224 @item prompt
35225 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
35226
35227 @findex pre-commands annotation
35228 @findex commands annotation
35229 @findex post-commands annotation
35230 @item commands
35231 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
35232 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
35233
35234 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
35235 @findex overload-choice annotation
35236 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
35237 @item overload-choice
35238 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
35239
35240 @findex pre-query annotation
35241 @findex query annotation
35242 @findex post-query annotation
35243 @item query
35244 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
35245
35246 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
35247 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
35248 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
35249 @item prompt-for-continue
35250 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
35251 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
35252 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
35253 presence of annotations.
35254 @end table
35255
35256 @node Errors
35257 @section Errors
35258 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
35259
35260 @findex quit annotation
35261 @smallexample
35262 ^Z^Zquit
35263 @end smallexample
35264
35265 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
35266
35267 @findex error annotation
35268 @smallexample
35269 ^Z^Zerror
35270 @end smallexample
35271
35272 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
35273
35274 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
35275 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
35276 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
35277 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
35278 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
35279 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
35280 to the top level.
35281
35282 @findex error-begin annotation
35283 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
35284
35285 @smallexample
35286 ^Z^Zerror-begin
35287 @end smallexample
35288
35289 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
35290 message.
35291
35292 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
35293 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
35294 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
35295
35296 @node Invalidation
35297 @section Invalidation Notices
35298
35299 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
35300 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
35301 changed.
35302
35303 @table @code
35304 @findex frames-invalid annotation
35305 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
35306
35307 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
35308 have changed.
35309
35310 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
35311 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
35312
35313 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
35314 deleted a breakpoint.
35315 @end table
35316
35317 @node Annotations for Running
35318 @section Running the Program
35319 @cindex annotations for running programs
35320
35321 @findex starting annotation
35322 @findex stopping annotation
35323 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
35324 @code{step} or @code{continue},
35325
35326 @smallexample
35327 ^Z^Zstarting
35328 @end smallexample
35329
35330 is output. When the program stops,
35331
35332 @smallexample
35333 ^Z^Zstopped
35334 @end smallexample
35335
35336 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
35337 annotations describe how the program stopped.
35338
35339 @table @code
35340 @findex exited annotation
35341 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
35342 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
35343 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
35344
35345 @findex signalled annotation
35346 @findex signal-name annotation
35347 @findex signal-name-end annotation
35348 @findex signal-string annotation
35349 @findex signal-string-end annotation
35350 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
35351 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
35352 annotation continues:
35353
35354 @smallexample
35355 @var{intro-text}
35356 ^Z^Zsignal-name
35357 @var{name}
35358 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
35359 @var{middle-text}
35360 ^Z^Zsignal-string
35361 @var{string}
35362 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
35363 @var{end-text}
35364 @end smallexample
35365
35366 @noindent
35367 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
35368 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
35369 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
35370 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
35371 user's benefit and have no particular format.
35372
35373 @findex signal annotation
35374 @item ^Z^Zsignal
35375 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
35376 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
35377 terminated with it.
35378
35379 @findex breakpoint annotation
35380 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
35381 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
35382
35383 @findex watchpoint annotation
35384 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
35385 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
35386 @end table
35387
35388 @node Source Annotations
35389 @section Displaying Source
35390 @cindex annotations for source display
35391
35392 @findex source annotation
35393 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
35394
35395 @smallexample
35396 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
35397 @end smallexample
35398
35399 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
35400 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
35401 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
35402 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
35403 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
35404 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
35405 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
35406 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
35407 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
35408 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
35409 depend on the language).
35410
35411 @node JIT Interface
35412 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
35413 @cindex just-in-time compilation
35414 @cindex JIT compilation interface
35415
35416 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
35417 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
35418 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
35419 performance while maintaining platform independence.
35420
35421 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
35422 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
35423 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
35424 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
35425 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
35426 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
35427
35428 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
35429 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
35430 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
35431 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
35432 LLVM JIT.
35433
35434 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
35435 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
35436 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
35437 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
35438 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
35439 out about additional code.
35440
35441 @menu
35442 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
35443 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
35444 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
35445 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
35446 @end menu
35447
35448 @node Declarations
35449 @section JIT Declarations
35450
35451 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
35452 implement the interface:
35453
35454 @smallexample
35455 typedef enum
35456 @{
35457 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
35458 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
35459 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
35460 @} jit_actions_t;
35461
35462 struct jit_code_entry
35463 @{
35464 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
35465 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
35466 const char *symfile_addr;
35467 uint64_t symfile_size;
35468 @};
35469
35470 struct jit_descriptor
35471 @{
35472 uint32_t version;
35473 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
35474 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
35475 uint32_t action_flag;
35476 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
35477 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
35478 @};
35479
35480 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
35481 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
35482
35483 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
35484 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
35485 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
35486 @end smallexample
35487
35488 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
35489 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
35490 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
35491
35492 @node Registering Code
35493 @section Registering Code
35494
35495 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
35496
35497 @itemize @bullet
35498 @item
35499 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
35500 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
35501
35502 @item
35503 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
35504 file.
35505
35506 @item
35507 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
35508
35509 @item
35510 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
35511
35512 @item
35513 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
35514 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
35515 @end itemize
35516
35517 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
35518 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
35519 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
35520 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
35521
35522 @node Unregistering Code
35523 @section Unregistering Code
35524
35525 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
35526
35527 @itemize @bullet
35528 @item
35529 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
35530
35531 @item
35532 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
35533
35534 @item
35535 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
35536 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
35537 @end itemize
35538
35539 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
35540 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
35541
35542 @node Custom Debug Info
35543 @section Custom Debug Info
35544 @cindex custom JIT debug info
35545 @cindex JIT debug info reader
35546
35547 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
35548 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
35549 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
35550 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
35551 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
35552 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
35553 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
35554 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
35555 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
35556
35557 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
35558 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
35559 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
35560 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
35561 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
35562 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
35563 compiler.
35564
35565 @menu
35566 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
35567 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
35568 @end menu
35569
35570 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
35571 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
35572 @kindex jit-reader-load
35573 @kindex jit-reader-unload
35574
35575 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
35576 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
35577
35578 @table @code
35579 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader}
35580 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader}. @var{reader} is a shared
35581 object specified as either an absolute or a relative file name. In
35582 the latter case, @value{GDBN} will try to load the reader from a
35583 pre-configured directory, usually @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/} on a UNIX
35584 system (here @var{libdir} is the system library directory, often
35585 @file{/usr/local/lib}).
35586
35587 Only one reader can be active at a time; trying to load a second
35588 reader when one is already loaded will result in @value{GDBN}
35589 reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by first unloading
35590 the current one using @code{jit-reader-unload} and then invoking
35591 @code{jit-reader-load}.
35592
35593 @item jit-reader-unload
35594 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
35595
35596 @end table
35597
35598 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
35599 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
35600 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
35601
35602 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
35603 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
35604
35605 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
35606 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
35607 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
35608 the system include directory.
35609
35610 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
35611 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
35612 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
35613
35614 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
35615 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
35616
35617 @findex gdb_init_reader
35618 @smallexample
35619 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
35620 @end smallexample
35621
35622 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
35623
35624 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
35625 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
35626 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
35627 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
35628 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
35629 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
35630
35631 @smallexample
35632 struct gdb_reader_funcs
35633 @{
35634 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
35635 int reader_version;
35636
35637 /* For use by the reader. */
35638 void *priv_data;
35639
35640 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
35641 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
35642 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
35643 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
35644 @};
35645 @end smallexample
35646
35647 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
35648 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
35649
35650 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
35651 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
35652 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
35653 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
35654 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
35655 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
35656 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
35657 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
35658 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
35659 target's address space.
35660
35661 @node In-Process Agent
35662 @chapter In-Process Agent
35663 @cindex debugging agent
35664 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
35665 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
35666 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
35667 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
35668 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
35669 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
35670 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
35671 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
35672 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
35673 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
35674 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
35675 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
35676 behavior without interrupting it.
35677
35678 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
35679 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
35680 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
35681 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
35682 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
35683 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
35684 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
35685 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
35686 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
35687
35688 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
35689 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
35690 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
35691 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
35692
35693 @anchor{Control Agent}
35694 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
35695 debugging with the following commands:
35696
35697 @table @code
35698 @kindex set agent on
35699 @item set agent on
35700 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
35701 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
35702 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
35703 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
35704 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
35705 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
35706
35707 @kindex set agent off
35708 @item set agent off
35709 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
35710 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
35711
35712 @kindex show agent
35713 @item show agent
35714 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
35715 the in-process agent.
35716 @end table
35717
35718 @menu
35719 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
35720 @end menu
35721
35722 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
35723 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
35724 @cindex in-process agent protocol
35725
35726 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
35727 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
35728 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
35729 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
35730 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
35731 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
35732 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
35733 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
35734 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
35735
35736 @menu
35737 * IPA Protocol Objects::
35738 * IPA Protocol Commands::
35739 @end menu
35740
35741 @node IPA Protocol Objects
35742 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
35743 @cindex ipa protocol objects
35744
35745 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
35746 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
35747
35748 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
35749 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
35750 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
35751 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
35752
35753 @enumerate
35754 @item
35755 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
35756 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
35757 @item
35758 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
35759 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
35760 the other one.
35761 @end enumerate
35762
35763 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
35764
35765 @enumerate
35766 @item
35767 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
35768 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
35769 @anchor{agent expression object}
35770 @item
35771 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
35772 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
35773 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
35774 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
35775 @item
35776 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
35777 @anchor{tracepoint object}
35778
35779 @end enumerate
35780
35781 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
35782 object:
35783
35784 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
35785 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
35786 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
35787 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
35788 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
35789 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
35790 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35791 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
35792 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
35793 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
35794 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
35795 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
35796 memory address for collecting.
35797 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
35798 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35799 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
35800 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35801 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
35802 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35803 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
35804 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
35805 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
35806 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
35807 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
35808 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
35809 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
35810 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
35811 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
35812 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
35813 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
35814 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
35815 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
35816 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
35817 @ref{agent expression object}
35818 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
35819 @ref{agent expression object}
35820 @item actions @tab variable
35821 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
35822 @end multitable
35823
35824 @node IPA Protocol Commands
35825 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
35826 @cindex ipa protocol commands
35827
35828 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
35829 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
35830
35831 @table @samp
35832
35833 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
35834 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
35835 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
35836 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
35837 in IPA finally.
35838
35839 Replies:
35840 @table @samp
35841 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
35842 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
35843 @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
35844 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
35845 @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
35846 @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
35847 @item E @var{NN}
35848 for an error
35849
35850 @end table
35851
35852 @item close
35853 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
35854 is about to kill inferiors.
35855
35856 @item qTfSTM
35857 @xref{qTfSTM}.
35858 @item qTsSTM
35859 @xref{qTsSTM}.
35860 @item qTSTMat
35861 @xref{qTSTMat}.
35862 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
35863 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
35864
35865 Replies:
35866 @table @samp
35867 @item E @var{NN}
35868 for an error
35869 @end table
35870 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
35871 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
35872 @end table
35873
35874 @node GDB Bugs
35875 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
35876 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
35877 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
35878
35879 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
35880
35881 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
35882 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
35883 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
35884 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
35885
35886 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
35887 information that enables us to fix the bug.
35888
35889 @menu
35890 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
35891 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
35892 @end menu
35893
35894 @node Bug Criteria
35895 @section Have You Found a Bug?
35896 @cindex bug criteria
35897
35898 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
35899
35900 @itemize @bullet
35901 @cindex fatal signal
35902 @cindex debugger crash
35903 @cindex crash of debugger
35904 @item
35905 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
35906 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
35907
35908 @cindex error on valid input
35909 @item
35910 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
35911 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
35912 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
35913
35914 @cindex invalid input
35915 @item
35916 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
35917 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
35918 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
35919 for traditional practice''.
35920
35921 @item
35922 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
35923 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
35924 @end itemize
35925
35926 @node Bug Reporting
35927 @section How to Report Bugs
35928 @cindex bug reports
35929 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
35930
35931 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
35932 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
35933 contact that organization first.
35934
35935 You can find contact information for many support companies and
35936 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
35937 distribution.
35938 @c should add a web page ref...
35939
35940 @ifset BUGURL
35941 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
35942 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
35943 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
35944 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
35945 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
35946 be used.
35947
35948 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
35949 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
35950 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
35951 @samp{bug-gdb}.
35952
35953 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
35954 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
35955 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
35956 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
35957 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
35958 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
35959 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
35960 bug reports to the mailing list.
35961 @end ifset
35962 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
35963 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
35964 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
35965 @end ifclear
35966 @end ifset
35967
35968 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
35969 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
35970 fact or leave it out, state it!
35971
35972 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
35973 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
35974 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
35975 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
35976 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
35977 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
35978 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
35979 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
35980 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
35981
35982 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
35983 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
35984 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
35985 self-contained.
35986
35987 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
35988 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
35989 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
35990 bugs properly.
35991
35992 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
35993
35994 @itemize @bullet
35995 @item
35996 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
35997 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
35998 version}.
35999
36000 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
36001 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
36002
36003 @item
36004 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
36005 version number.
36006
36007 @item
36008 The details of the @value{GDBN} build-time configuration.
36009 @value{GDBN} shows these details if you invoke it with the
36010 @option{--configuration} command-line option, or if you type
36011 @code{show configuration} at @value{GDBN}'s prompt.
36012
36013 @item
36014 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
36015 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
36016
36017 @item
36018 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
36019 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
36020 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
36021 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
36022 those compilers.
36023
36024 @item
36025 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
36026 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
36027 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
36028 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
36029
36030 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
36031 and then we might not encounter the bug.
36032
36033 @item
36034 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
36035 reproduce the bug.
36036
36037 @item
36038 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
36039 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
36040
36041 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
36042 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
36043 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
36044 a chance to make a mistake.
36045
36046 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
36047 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
36048 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
36049 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
36050 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
36051 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
36052 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
36053 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
36054
36055 @pindex script
36056 @cindex recording a session script
36057 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
36058 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
36059 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
36060 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
36061
36062 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
36063 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
36064
36065 @item
36066 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
36067 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
36068 it by context, not by line number.
36069
36070 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
36071 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
36072
36073 @end itemize
36074
36075 Here are some things that are not necessary:
36076
36077 @itemize @bullet
36078 @item
36079 A description of the envelope of the bug.
36080
36081 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
36082 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
36083 changes will not affect it.
36084
36085 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
36086 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
36087 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
36088 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
36089
36090 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
36091 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
36092 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
36093 less time, and so on.
36094
36095 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
36096 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
36097
36098 @item
36099 A patch for the bug.
36100
36101 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
36102 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
36103 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
36104 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
36105
36106 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
36107 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
36108 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
36109 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
36110
36111 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
36112 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
36113 help us to understand.
36114
36115 @item
36116 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
36117
36118 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
36119 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
36120 @end itemize
36121
36122 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
36123 @c and consists of the two following files:
36124 @c rluser.texi
36125 @c hsuser.texi
36126 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
36127 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
36128 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
36129 @include rluser.texi
36130 @include hsuser.texi
36131 @end ifclear
36132
36133 @node In Memoriam
36134 @appendix In Memoriam
36135
36136 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
36137 contributors:
36138
36139 @table @code
36140 @item Fred Fish
36141 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
36142 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
36143 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
36144
36145 @item Michael Snyder
36146 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
36147 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
36148 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
36149 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
36150 @end table
36151
36152 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
36153 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
36154
36155 @node Formatting Documentation
36156 @appendix Formatting Documentation
36157
36158 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
36159 @cindex reference card
36160 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
36161 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
36162 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
36163 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
36164 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
36165 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
36166
36167 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
36168 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
36169
36170 @smallexample
36171 make refcard.dvi
36172 @end smallexample
36173
36174 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
36175 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
36176 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
36177 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
36178 your @sc{dvi} output program.
36179
36180 @cindex documentation
36181
36182 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
36183 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
36184 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
36185 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
36186 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
36187 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
36188
36189 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
36190 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
36191 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
36192 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
36193 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
36194 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
36195 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
36196 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
36197
36198 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
36199 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
36200 @code{makeinfo}.
36201
36202 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
36203 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
36204 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
36205
36206 @smallexample
36207 cd gdb
36208 make gdb.info
36209 @end smallexample
36210
36211 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
36212 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
36213 Texinfo definitions file.
36214
36215 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
36216 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
36217 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
36218 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
36219 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
36220 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
36221 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
36222
36223 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
36224 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
36225 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
36226 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
36227 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
36228 directory.
36229
36230 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
36231 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
36232 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
36233 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
36234
36235 @smallexample
36236 make gdb.dvi
36237 @end smallexample
36238
36239 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
36240
36241 @node Installing GDB
36242 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
36243 @cindex installation
36244
36245 @menu
36246 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
36247 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
36248 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
36249 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
36250 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
36251 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
36252 @end menu
36253
36254 @node Requirements
36255 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
36256 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
36257
36258 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
36259 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
36260
36261 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
36262 @table @asis
36263 @item ISO C90 compiler
36264 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
36265 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
36266
36267 @end table
36268
36269 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
36270 @table @asis
36271 @item Expat
36272 @anchor{Expat}
36273 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
36274 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
36275 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
36276 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
36277 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
36278 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
36279
36280 Expat is used for:
36281
36282 @itemize @bullet
36283 @item
36284 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
36285 @item
36286 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
36287 @item
36288 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
36289 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
36290 @item
36291 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
36292 @item
36293 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
36294 @item
36295 Branch trace (@pxref{Branch Trace Format})
36296 @end itemize
36297
36298 @item zlib
36299 @cindex compressed debug sections
36300 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
36301 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
36302 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
36303 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
36304 information in such binaries.
36305
36306 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
36307 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
36308 @url{http://zlib.net}.
36309
36310 @item iconv
36311 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
36312 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
36313 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
36314 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
36315
36316 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
36317 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
36318 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
36319 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
36320
36321 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
36322 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
36323 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
36324
36325 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
36326 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
36327 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
36328 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
36329 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
36330 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
36331 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
36332 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
36333 @end table
36334
36335 @node Running Configure
36336 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
36337 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
36338 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
36339 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
36340 build the @code{gdb} program.
36341 @iftex
36342 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
36343 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
36344 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
36345 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
36346 @end iftex
36347
36348 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
36349 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
36350 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
36351
36352 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
36353 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
36354
36355 @table @code
36356 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
36357 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
36358
36359 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
36360 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
36361
36362 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
36363 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
36364
36365 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
36366 @sc{gnu} include files
36367
36368 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
36369 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
36370
36371 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
36372 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
36373
36374 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
36375 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
36376
36377 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
36378 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
36379
36380 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
36381 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
36382 @end table
36383
36384 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
36385 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
36386 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
36387
36388 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
36389 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
36390 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
36391 argument.
36392
36393 For example:
36394
36395 @smallexample
36396 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
36397 ./configure @var{host}
36398 make
36399 @end smallexample
36400
36401 @noindent
36402 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
36403 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
36404 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
36405 correct value by examining your system.)
36406
36407 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
36408 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
36409 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
36410 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
36411
36412 @need 750
36413 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
36414 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
36415 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
36416
36417 @smallexample
36418 sh configure @var{host}
36419 @end smallexample
36420
36421 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
36422 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
36423 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
36424 @file{configure}
36425 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
36426 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
36427
36428 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
36429 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
36430 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
36431 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
36432 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
36433 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
36434 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
36435 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
36436 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
36437
36438 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
36439 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
36440 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
36441 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
36442 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
36443
36444 @node Separate Objdir
36445 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
36446
36447 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
36448 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
36449 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
36450 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
36451 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
36452 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
36453 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
36454 program specified there.
36455
36456 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
36457 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
36458 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
36459 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
36460 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
36461 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
36462
36463 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
36464 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
36465
36466 @smallexample
36467 @group
36468 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
36469 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
36470 cd ../gdb-sun4
36471 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
36472 make
36473 @end group
36474 @end smallexample
36475
36476 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
36477 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
36478 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
36479 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
36480 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
36481 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
36482
36483 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
36484 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
36485 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
36486 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
36487 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
36488
36489 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
36490 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
36491 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
36492 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
36493 You specify a cross-debugging target by
36494 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
36495
36496 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
36497 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
36498 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
36499
36500 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
36501 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
36502 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
36503 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
36504 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
36505
36506 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
36507 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
36508 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
36509 with each other.
36510
36511 @node Config Names
36512 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
36513
36514 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
36515 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
36516 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
36517 of information in the following pattern:
36518
36519 @smallexample
36520 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
36521 @end smallexample
36522
36523 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
36524 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
36525 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
36526
36527 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
36528 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
36529 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
36530 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
36531 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
36532 abbreviations---for example:
36533
36534 @smallexample
36535 % sh config.sub i386-linux
36536 i386-pc-linux-gnu
36537 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
36538 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
36539 % sh config.sub hp9k700
36540 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
36541 % sh config.sub sun4
36542 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
36543 % sh config.sub sun3
36544 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
36545 % sh config.sub i986v
36546 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
36547 @end smallexample
36548
36549 @noindent
36550 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
36551 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
36552
36553 @node Configure Options
36554 @section @file{configure} Options
36555
36556 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
36557 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
36558 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
36559 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
36560
36561 @smallexample
36562 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
36563 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
36564 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
36565 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
36566 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
36567 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
36568 @var{host}
36569 @end smallexample
36570
36571 @noindent
36572 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
36573 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
36574 @samp{--}.
36575
36576 @table @code
36577 @item --help
36578 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
36579
36580 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
36581 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
36582 @file{@var{dir}}.
36583
36584 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
36585 Configure the source to install programs under directory
36586 @file{@var{dir}}.
36587
36588 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
36589 @need 2000
36590 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
36591 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
36592 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
36593 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
36594 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
36595 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
36596 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
36597 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
36598 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
36599 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
36600 @var{dirname}.
36601
36602 @item --norecursion
36603 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
36604 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
36605
36606 @item --target=@var{target}
36607 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
36608 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
36609 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
36610
36611 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
36612
36613 @item @var{host} @dots{}
36614 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
36615
36616 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
36617 @end table
36618
36619 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
36620 needed for special purposes only.
36621
36622 @node System-wide configuration
36623 @section System-wide configuration and settings
36624 @cindex system-wide init file
36625
36626 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
36627 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
36628 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
36629
36630 Here is the corresponding configure option:
36631
36632 @table @code
36633 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
36634 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
36635 @var{file}.
36636 @end table
36637
36638 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
36639 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
36640
36641 @itemize @bullet
36642 @item
36643 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
36644 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
36645 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
36646 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
36647 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
36648 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
36649
36650 @item
36651 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
36652 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
36653 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
36654 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
36655 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
36656 @end itemize
36657
36658 If the configured location of the system-wide init file (as given by the
36659 @option{--with-system-gdbinit} option at configure time) is in the
36660 data-directory (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure
36661 time) or in one of its subdirectories, then @value{GDBN} will look for the
36662 system-wide init file in the directory specified by the
36663 @option{--data-directory} command-line option.
36664 Note that the system-wide init file is only read once, during @value{GDBN}
36665 initialization. If the data-directory is changed after @value{GDBN} has
36666 started with the @code{set data-directory} command, the file will not be
36667 reread.
36668
36669 @menu
36670 * System-wide Configuration Scripts:: Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
36671 @end menu
36672
36673 @node System-wide Configuration Scripts
36674 @subsection Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
36675 @cindex system-wide configuration scripts
36676
36677 The @file{system-gdbinit} directory, located inside the data-directory
36678 (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure time) contains
36679 a number of scripts which can be used as system-wide init files. To
36680 automatically source those scripts at startup, @value{GDBN} should be
36681 configured with @option{--with-system-gdbinit}. Otherwise, any user
36682 should be able to source them by hand as needed.
36683
36684 The following scripts are currently available:
36685 @itemize @bullet
36686
36687 @item @file{elinos.py}
36688 @pindex elinos.py
36689 @cindex ELinOS system-wide configuration script
36690 This script is useful when debugging a program on an ELinOS target.
36691 It takes advantage of the environment variables defined in a standard
36692 ELinOS environment in order to determine the location of the system
36693 shared libraries, and then sets the @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}
36694 and @samp{solib-search-path} variables appropriately.
36695
36696 @item @file{wrs-linux.py}
36697 @pindex wrs-linux.py
36698 @cindex Wind River Linux system-wide configuration script
36699 This script is useful when debugging a program on a target running
36700 Wind River Linux. It expects the @env{ENV_PREFIX} to be set to
36701 the host-side sysroot used by the target system.
36702
36703 @end itemize
36704
36705 @node Maintenance Commands
36706 @appendix Maintenance Commands
36707 @cindex maintenance commands
36708 @cindex internal commands
36709
36710 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
36711 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
36712 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
36713 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
36714 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
36715
36716 @table @code
36717 @kindex maint agent
36718 @kindex maint agent-eval
36719 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
36720 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
36721 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
36722 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
36723 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
36724 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
36725 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
36726 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
36727 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
36728 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
36729 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
36730 addition and return the sum.
36731 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
36732 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
36733
36734 @kindex maint agent-printf
36735 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
36736 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
36737 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
36738 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
36739 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}).
36740
36741 @kindex maint info breakpoints
36742 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
36743 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
36744 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
36745 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
36746 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
36747 is shown:
36748
36749 @table @code
36750 @item breakpoint
36751 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
36752
36753 @item watchpoint
36754 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
36755
36756 @item longjmp
36757 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
36758 @code{longjmp} calls.
36759
36760 @item longjmp resume
36761 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
36762
36763 @item until
36764 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
36765
36766 @item finish
36767 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
36768
36769 @item shlib events
36770 Shared library events.
36771
36772 @end table
36773
36774 @kindex maint info bfds
36775 @item maint info bfds
36776 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
36777 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Top, , BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}.
36778
36779 @kindex set displaced-stepping
36780 @kindex show displaced-stepping
36781 @cindex displaced stepping support
36782 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
36783 @item set displaced-stepping
36784 @itemx show displaced-stepping
36785 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
36786 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
36787 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
36788 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
36789 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
36790
36791 @table @code
36792 @item set displaced-stepping on
36793 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
36794 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
36795
36796 @item set displaced-stepping off
36797 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
36798 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
36799
36800 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
36801 @item set displaced-stepping auto
36802 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
36803 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
36804 architecture supports displaced stepping.
36805 @end table
36806
36807 @kindex maint check-psymtabs
36808 @item maint check-psymtabs
36809 Check the consistency of currently expanded psymtabs versus symtabs.
36810 Use this to check, for example, whether a symbol is in one but not the other.
36811
36812 @kindex maint check-symtabs
36813 @item maint check-symtabs
36814 Check the consistency of currently expanded symtabs.
36815
36816 @kindex maint expand-symtabs
36817 @item maint expand-symtabs [@var{regexp}]
36818 Expand symbol tables.
36819 If @var{regexp} is specified, only expand symbol tables for file
36820 names matching @var{regexp}.
36821
36822 @kindex maint cplus first_component
36823 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
36824 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
36825
36826 @kindex maint cplus namespace
36827 @item maint cplus namespace
36828 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
36829
36830 @kindex maint demangle
36831 @item maint demangle @var{name}
36832 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
36833
36834 @kindex maint deprecate
36835 @kindex maint undeprecate
36836 @cindex deprecated commands
36837 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
36838 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
36839 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
36840 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
36841 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
36842 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
36843 the replacement as part of the warning.
36844
36845 @kindex maint dump-me
36846 @item maint dump-me
36847 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
36848 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
36849 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
36850 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
36851
36852 @kindex maint internal-error
36853 @kindex maint internal-warning
36854 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
36855 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
36856 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
36857 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
36858 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
36859 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
36860 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
36861 @value{GDBN} session.
36862
36863 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
36864 used as the text of the error or warning message.
36865
36866 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
36867
36868 @smallexample
36869 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
36870 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
36871 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
36872 debugging may prove unreliable.
36873 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
36874 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
36875 (@value{GDBP})
36876 @end smallexample
36877
36878 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
36879 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
36880
36881 @kindex maint set internal-error
36882 @kindex maint show internal-error
36883 @kindex maint set internal-warning
36884 @kindex maint show internal-warning
36885 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
36886 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
36887 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
36888 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
36889 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
36890 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
36891 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
36892 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
36893 described in the table below.
36894
36895 @table @samp
36896 @item quit
36897 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
36898 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
36899
36900 @item corefile
36901 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
36902 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
36903 @end table
36904
36905 @kindex maint packet
36906 @item maint packet @var{text}
36907 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
36908 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
36909 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
36910 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
36911 checksum.
36912
36913 @kindex maint print architecture
36914 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36915 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
36916 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
36917
36918 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
36919 @item maint print c-tdesc
36920 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
36921 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
36922 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
36923
36924 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
36925 @item maint print dummy-frames
36926 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
36927
36928 @smallexample
36929 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
36930 @dots{}
36931 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
36932 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
36933 58 return (a + b);
36934 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
36935 @dots{}
36936 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
36937 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
36938 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
36939 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
36940 (@value{GDBP})
36941 @end smallexample
36942
36943 Takes an optional file parameter.
36944
36945 @kindex maint print registers
36946 @kindex maint print raw-registers
36947 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
36948 @kindex maint print register-groups
36949 @kindex maint print remote-registers
36950 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36951 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36952 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36953 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36954 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36955 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
36956
36957 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
36958 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
36959 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
36960 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
36961 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
36962 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
36963 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
36964 and offsets in the `G' packets.
36965
36966 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
36967 write the information.
36968
36969 @kindex maint print reggroups
36970 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36971 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
36972 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
36973 information.
36974
36975 The register groups info looks like this:
36976
36977 @smallexample
36978 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
36979 Group Type
36980 general user
36981 float user
36982 all user
36983 vector user
36984 system user
36985 save internal
36986 restore internal
36987 @end smallexample
36988
36989 @kindex flushregs
36990 @item flushregs
36991 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
36992
36993 @kindex maint print objfiles
36994 @cindex info for known object files
36995 @item maint print objfiles @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
36996 Print a dump of all known object files.
36997 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print object files whose names
36998 match @var{regexp}. For each object file, this command prints its name,
36999 address in memory, and all of its psymtabs and symtabs.
37000
37001 @kindex maint print section-scripts
37002 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
37003 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
37004 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
37005 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
37006 matching @var{regexp}.
37007 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
37008 and the full path if known.
37009 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
37010
37011 @kindex maint print statistics
37012 @cindex bcache statistics
37013 @item maint print statistics
37014 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
37015 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
37016 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
37017 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
37018 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
37019 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
37020 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
37021 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
37022 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
37023 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
37024 lengths.
37025
37026 @kindex maint print target-stack
37027 @cindex target stack description
37028 @item maint print target-stack
37029 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
37030 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
37031 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
37032 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
37033 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
37034 address.
37035
37036 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
37037 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
37038
37039 @kindex maint print type
37040 @cindex type chain of a data type
37041 @item maint print type @var{expr}
37042 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
37043 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
37044 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
37045 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
37046 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
37047
37048 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
37049 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
37050 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
37051 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
37052 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
37053 information.
37054
37055 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
37056 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
37057 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
37058 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
37059 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
37060 always see the disassembly form.
37061
37062 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
37063
37064 @smallexample
37065 (gdb) info addr argc
37066 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
37067 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
37068 @end smallexample
37069
37070 For more information on these expressions, see
37071 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
37072
37073 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
37074 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
37075 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
37076 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
37077 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
37078
37079 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
37080 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
37081 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
37082 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
37083 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
37084 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
37085 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
37086 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
37087 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
37088
37089 @kindex maint set profile
37090 @kindex maint show profile
37091 @cindex profiling GDB
37092 @item maint set profile
37093 @itemx maint show profile
37094 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
37095
37096 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
37097 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
37098 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
37099 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
37100 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
37101 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
37102 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
37103
37104 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
37105 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
37106
37107 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
37108 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
37109 @cindex hardware debug registers
37110 @item maint set show-debug-regs
37111 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
37112 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
37113 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
37114 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
37115 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
37116 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
37117
37118 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
37119 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
37120 @item maint set show-all-tib
37121 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
37122 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
37123 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
37124 command.
37125
37126 @kindex maint set per-command
37127 @kindex maint show per-command
37128 @item maint set per-command
37129 @itemx maint show per-command
37130 @cindex resources used by commands
37131
37132 @value{GDBN} can display the resources used by each command.
37133 This is useful in debugging performance problems.
37134
37135 @table @code
37136 @item maint set per-command space [on|off]
37137 @itemx maint show per-command space
37138 Enable or disable the printing of the memory used by GDB for each command.
37139 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
37140 took, following the command's own output.
37141 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
37142 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
37143
37144 @item maint set per-command time [on|off]
37145 @itemx maint show per-command time
37146 Enable or disable the printing of the execution time of @value{GDBN}
37147 for each command.
37148 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
37149 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
37150 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
37151 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
37152 CPU or, e.g., disk/network latency.
37153 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
37154 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
37155 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
37156 spent by the program been debugged.
37157 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
37158 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
37159
37160 @item maint set per-command symtab [on|off]
37161 @itemx maint show per-command symtab
37162 Enable or disable the printing of basic symbol table statistics
37163 for each command.
37164 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display the following information:
37165
37166 @enumerate a
37167 @item
37168 number of symbol tables
37169 @item
37170 number of primary symbol tables
37171 @item
37172 number of blocks in the blockvector
37173 @end enumerate
37174 @end table
37175
37176 @kindex maint space
37177 @cindex memory used by commands
37178 @item maint space @var{value}
37179 An alias for @code{maint set per-command space}.
37180 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
37181
37182 @kindex maint time
37183 @cindex time of command execution
37184 @item maint time @var{value}
37185 An alias for @code{maint set per-command time}.
37186 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
37187
37188 @kindex maint translate-address
37189 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
37190 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
37191 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
37192 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
37193 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
37194 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
37195 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
37196
37197 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
37198 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
37199 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
37200
37201 @end table
37202
37203 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
37204 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
37205
37206 @table @code
37207 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
37208 @kindex set watchdog
37209 @cindex watchdog timer
37210 @cindex timeout for commands
37211 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
37212 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
37213 reports and error and the command is aborted.
37214
37215 @item show watchdog
37216 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
37217 @end table
37218
37219 @node Remote Protocol
37220 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
37221
37222 @menu
37223 * Overview::
37224 * Packets::
37225 * Stop Reply Packets::
37226 * General Query Packets::
37227 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
37228 * Tracepoint Packets::
37229 * Host I/O Packets::
37230 * Interrupts::
37231 * Notification Packets::
37232 * Remote Non-Stop::
37233 * Packet Acknowledgment::
37234 * Examples::
37235 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
37236 * Library List Format::
37237 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
37238 * Memory Map Format::
37239 * Thread List Format::
37240 * Traceframe Info Format::
37241 * Branch Trace Format::
37242 @end menu
37243
37244 @node Overview
37245 @section Overview
37246
37247 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
37248 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
37249 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
37250 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
37251
37252 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
37253 transmitted and received data, respectively.
37254
37255 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
37256 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
37257 @cindex remote serial protocol
37258 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
37259 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
37260 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
37261 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
37262 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
37263
37264 @smallexample
37265 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
37266 @end smallexample
37267 @noindent
37268
37269 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
37270 @noindent
37271 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
37272 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
37273 eight bit unsigned checksum).
37274
37275 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
37276 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
37277
37278 @smallexample
37279 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
37280 @end smallexample
37281
37282 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
37283 @noindent
37284 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
37285 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
37286 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
37287
37288 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
37289 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
37290 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
37291 retransmission):
37292
37293 @smallexample
37294 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
37295 <- @code{+}
37296 @end smallexample
37297 @noindent
37298
37299 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
37300 once a connection is established.
37301 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
37302
37303 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
37304 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
37305 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
37306 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
37307 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
37308 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
37309 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
37310
37311 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
37312 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
37313 exceptions).
37314
37315 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
37316 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
37317 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
37318 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
37319
37320 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
37321 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
37322 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
37323
37324 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
37325 @anchor{Binary Data}
37326 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
37327 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
37328 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
37329 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
37330 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
37331 binary data.
37332
37333 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
37334 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
37335 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
37336 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
37337 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
37338 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
37339 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
37340 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
37341 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
37342 (described next).
37343
37344 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
37345 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
37346 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
37347 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
37348 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
37349 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
37350 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
37351 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
37352 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
37353 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
37354 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
37355 3}} more times.
37356
37357 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
37358 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
37359 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
37360 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
37361 @samp{0*"00}.
37362
37363 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
37364 error number. That number is not well defined.
37365
37366 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
37367 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
37368 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
37369 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
37370 on that response.
37371
37372 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
37373 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
37374 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
37375 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
37376 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
37377 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
37378
37379 @node Packets
37380 @section Packets
37381
37382 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
37383 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
37384 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
37385 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
37386
37387 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
37388 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
37389 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
37390 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
37391 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
37392 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
37393 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
37394 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
37395 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
37396 @var{baz}.
37397
37398 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
37399 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
37400 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
37401 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
37402 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
37403 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
37404 pick any thread.
37405
37406 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
37407 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
37408 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
37409 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
37410 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
37411 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
37412 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
37413 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
37414 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
37415 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
37416 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
37417 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
37418 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
37419
37420 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
37421 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
37422 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
37423 more information.
37424
37425 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
37426 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
37427
37428 Here are the packet descriptions.
37429
37430 @table @samp
37431
37432 @item !
37433 @cindex @samp{!} packet
37434 @anchor{extended mode}
37435 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
37436 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
37437 debugged.
37438
37439 Reply:
37440 @table @samp
37441 @item OK
37442 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
37443 @end table
37444
37445 @item ?
37446 @cindex @samp{?} packet
37447 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
37448 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
37449 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
37450
37451 Reply:
37452 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37453
37454 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
37455 @cindex @samp{A} packet
37456 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
37457 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
37458 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
37459
37460 Reply:
37461 @table @samp
37462 @item OK
37463 The arguments were set.
37464 @item E @var{NN}
37465 An error occurred.
37466 @end table
37467
37468 @item b @var{baud}
37469 @cindex @samp{b} packet
37470 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
37471 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
37472
37473 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
37474 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
37475 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
37476
37477 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
37478 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
37479 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
37480 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
37481 of view, nothing actually happened.}
37482
37483 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
37484 @cindex @samp{B} packet
37485 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
37486 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
37487
37488 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
37489 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
37490
37491 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
37492 @anchor{bc}
37493 @item bc
37494 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
37495 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
37496
37497 Reply:
37498 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37499
37500 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
37501 @anchor{bs}
37502 @item bs
37503 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
37504 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
37505
37506 Reply:
37507 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37508
37509 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
37510 @cindex @samp{c} packet
37511 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
37512 resume at current address.
37513
37514 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37515 packet}.
37516
37517 Reply:
37518 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37519
37520 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
37521 @cindex @samp{C} packet
37522 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
37523 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
37524
37525 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37526 packet}.
37527
37528 Reply:
37529 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37530
37531 @item d
37532 @cindex @samp{d} packet
37533 Toggle debug flag.
37534
37535 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
37536 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
37537
37538 @item D
37539 @itemx D;@var{pid}
37540 @cindex @samp{D} packet
37541 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
37542 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
37543 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
37544
37545 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
37546 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
37547 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
37548 big-endian hex string.
37549
37550 Reply:
37551 @table @samp
37552 @item OK
37553 for success
37554 @item E @var{NN}
37555 for an error
37556 @end table
37557
37558 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
37559 @cindex @samp{F} packet
37560 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
37561 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
37562 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
37563
37564 @item g
37565 @anchor{read registers packet}
37566 @cindex @samp{g} packet
37567 Read general registers.
37568
37569 Reply:
37570 @table @samp
37571 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
37572 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
37573 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
37574 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
37575 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
37576 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
37577 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
37578
37579 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
37580 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
37581 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
37582 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
37583 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
37584 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
37585 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
37586 have been collected, and both have zero value:
37587
37588 @smallexample
37589 -> @code{g}
37590 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
37591 @end smallexample
37592
37593 @item E @var{NN}
37594 for an error.
37595 @end table
37596
37597 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
37598 @cindex @samp{G} packet
37599 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
37600 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
37601
37602 Reply:
37603 @table @samp
37604 @item OK
37605 for success
37606 @item E @var{NN}
37607 for an error
37608 @end table
37609
37610 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
37611 @cindex @samp{H} packet
37612 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
37613 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
37614 it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
37615 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
37616 option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
37617 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
37618 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37619
37620 Reply:
37621 @table @samp
37622 @item OK
37623 for success
37624 @item E @var{NN}
37625 for an error
37626 @end table
37627
37628 @c FIXME: JTC:
37629 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
37630 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
37631 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
37632 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
37633 @c described. For example:
37634 @c
37635 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
37636 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
37637 @c otherwise returns current registers.
37638 @c
37639 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
37640 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
37641 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
37642
37643 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
37644 @anchor{cycle step packet}
37645 @cindex @samp{i} packet
37646 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
37647 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
37648 step starting at that address.
37649
37650 @item I
37651 @cindex @samp{I} packet
37652 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
37653 step packet}.
37654
37655 @item k
37656 @cindex @samp{k} packet
37657 Kill request.
37658
37659 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
37660 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
37661 thread?)}.
37662
37663 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
37664 @cindex @samp{m} packet
37665 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
37666 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
37667
37668 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
37669 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
37670 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
37671 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
37672 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
37673 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
37674 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
37675 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
37676
37677 Reply:
37678 @table @samp
37679 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
37680 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
37681 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
37682 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
37683 @item E @var{NN}
37684 @var{NN} is errno
37685 @end table
37686
37687 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
37688 @cindex @samp{M} packet
37689 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
37690 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
37691 hexadecimal number.
37692
37693 Reply:
37694 @table @samp
37695 @item OK
37696 for success
37697 @item E @var{NN}
37698 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
37699 written).
37700 @end table
37701
37702 @item p @var{n}
37703 @cindex @samp{p} packet
37704 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
37705 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
37706 register value is encoded.
37707
37708 Reply:
37709 @table @samp
37710 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
37711 the register's value
37712 @item E @var{NN}
37713 for an error
37714 @item @w{}
37715 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
37716 @end table
37717
37718 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
37719 @anchor{write register packet}
37720 @cindex @samp{P} packet
37721 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
37722 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
37723 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
37724
37725 Reply:
37726 @table @samp
37727 @item OK
37728 for success
37729 @item E @var{NN}
37730 for an error
37731 @end table
37732
37733 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
37734 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
37735 @cindex @samp{q} packet
37736 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
37737 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
37738 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
37739
37740 @item r
37741 @cindex @samp{r} packet
37742 Reset the entire system.
37743
37744 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
37745
37746 @item R @var{XX}
37747 @cindex @samp{R} packet
37748 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
37749 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37750
37751 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
37752
37753 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
37754 @cindex @samp{s} packet
37755 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
37756 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
37757
37758 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37759 packet}.
37760
37761 Reply:
37762 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37763
37764 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
37765 @anchor{step with signal packet}
37766 @cindex @samp{S} packet
37767 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
37768 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
37769
37770 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37771 packet}.
37772
37773 Reply:
37774 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37775
37776 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
37777 @cindex @samp{t} packet
37778 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
37779 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
37780 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
37781
37782 @item T @var{thread-id}
37783 @cindex @samp{T} packet
37784 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
37785
37786 Reply:
37787 @table @samp
37788 @item OK
37789 thread is still alive
37790 @item E @var{NN}
37791 thread is dead
37792 @end table
37793
37794 @item v
37795 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
37796 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
37797
37798 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
37799 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
37800 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
37801 The process ID is a
37802 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
37803 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
37804 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
37805
37806 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
37807 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
37808 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
37809 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
37810 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
37811 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
37812 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
37813 @c stopping or restarting threads.
37814
37815 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37816
37817 Reply:
37818 @table @samp
37819 @item E @var{nn}
37820 for an error
37821 @item @r{Any stop packet}
37822 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
37823 @item OK
37824 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
37825 @end table
37826
37827 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
37828 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
37829 @anchor{vCont packet}
37830 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
37831 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
37832 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
37833 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
37834 in their current state in non-stop mode.
37835 Specifying multiple
37836 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
37837 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37838
37839 Currently supported actions are:
37840
37841 @table @samp
37842 @item c
37843 Continue.
37844 @item C @var{sig}
37845 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
37846 @item s
37847 Step.
37848 @item S @var{sig}
37849 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
37850 @item t
37851 Stop.
37852 @item r @var{start},@var{end}
37853 Step once, and then keep stepping as long as the thread stops at
37854 addresses between @var{start} (inclusive) and @var{end} (exclusive).
37855 The remote stub reports a stop reply when either the thread goes out
37856 of the range or is stopped due to an unrelated reason, such as hitting
37857 a breakpoint. @xref{range stepping}.
37858
37859 If the range is empty (@var{start} == @var{end}), then the action
37860 becomes equivalent to the @samp{s} action. In other words,
37861 single-step once, and report the stop (even if the stepped instruction
37862 jumps to @var{start}).
37863
37864 (A stop reply may be sent at any point even if the PC is still within
37865 the stepping range; for example, it is valid to implement this packet
37866 in a degenerate way as a single instruction step operation.)
37867
37868 @end table
37869
37870 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
37871 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
37872 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
37873
37874 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
37875 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
37876 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
37877 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
37878 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
37879 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
37880 as an implementation detail.
37881
37882 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
37883 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
37884 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
37885 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
37886 @var{thread-id}.
37887
37888 Reply:
37889 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37890
37891 @item vCont?
37892 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
37893 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
37894
37895 Reply:
37896 @table @samp
37897 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
37898 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
37899 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
37900 @item @w{}
37901 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
37902 @end table
37903
37904 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
37905 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
37906 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
37907 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
37908
37909 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
37910 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
37911 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
37912 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
37913 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
37914 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
37915 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
37916 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
37917 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
37918 packet is received.
37919
37920 Reply:
37921 @table @samp
37922 @item OK
37923 for success
37924 @item E @var{NN}
37925 for an error
37926 @end table
37927
37928 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
37929 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
37930 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
37931 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
37932 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
37933 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
37934 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
37935 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
37936 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
37937 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
37938 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
37939 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
37940
37941
37942 Reply:
37943 @table @samp
37944 @item OK
37945 for success
37946 @item E.memtype
37947 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
37948 @item E @var{NN}
37949 for an error
37950 @end table
37951
37952 @item vFlashDone
37953 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
37954 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
37955 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
37956 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
37957 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
37958 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
37959 request is completed.
37960
37961 @item vKill;@var{pid}
37962 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
37963 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
37964 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
37965 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
37966 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
37967
37968 Reply:
37969 @table @samp
37970 @item E @var{nn}
37971 for an error
37972 @item OK
37973 for success
37974 @end table
37975
37976 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
37977 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
37978 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
37979 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
37980 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
37981 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
37982 state.
37983
37984 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
37985
37986 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37987
37988 Reply:
37989 @table @samp
37990 @item E @var{nn}
37991 for an error
37992 @item @r{Any stop packet}
37993 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
37994 @end table
37995
37996 @item vStopped
37997 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
37998 @xref{Notification Packets}.
37999
38000 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
38001 @anchor{X packet}
38002 @cindex @samp{X} packet
38003 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
38004 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
38005 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
38006
38007 Reply:
38008 @table @samp
38009 @item OK
38010 for success
38011 @item E @var{NN}
38012 for an error
38013 @end table
38014
38015 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
38016 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
38017 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
38018 @cindex @samp{z} packet
38019 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
38020 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
38021 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
38022
38023 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
38024 separately.
38025
38026 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
38027 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
38028 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
38029 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
38030 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
38031 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
38032
38033 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38034 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
38035 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
38036 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
38037 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
38038 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
38039
38040 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
38041 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
38042 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
38043 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
38044 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
38045 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
38046 @var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
38047 form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
38048 conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
38049 the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
38050
38051 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
38052 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
38053
38054 @table @samp
38055
38056 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
38057 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
38058 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
38059
38060 @end table
38061
38062 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
38063 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
38064 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
38065 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
38066 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
38067 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
38068 separators. Each expression has the following form:
38069
38070 @table @samp
38071
38072 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
38073 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
38074 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
38075
38076 @end table
38077
38078 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
38079
38080 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
38081 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
38082 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
38083 target, is not defined.}
38084
38085 Reply:
38086 @table @samp
38087 @item OK
38088 success
38089 @item @w{}
38090 not supported
38091 @item E @var{NN}
38092 for an error
38093 @end table
38094
38095 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38096 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
38097 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
38098 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
38099 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
38100 address @var{addr}.
38101
38102 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
38103 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
38104 and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
38105
38106 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
38107 movement.}
38108
38109 Reply:
38110 @table @samp
38111 @item OK
38112 success
38113 @item @w{}
38114 not supported
38115 @item E @var{NN}
38116 for an error
38117 @end table
38118
38119 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38120 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38121 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
38122 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
38123 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
38124 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
38125
38126 Reply:
38127 @table @samp
38128 @item OK
38129 success
38130 @item @w{}
38131 not supported
38132 @item E @var{NN}
38133 for an error
38134 @end table
38135
38136 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38137 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38138 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
38139 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
38140 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
38141 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
38142
38143 Reply:
38144 @table @samp
38145 @item OK
38146 success
38147 @item @w{}
38148 not supported
38149 @item E @var{NN}
38150 for an error
38151 @end table
38152
38153 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38154 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38155 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
38156 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
38157 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
38158 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
38159
38160 Reply:
38161 @table @samp
38162 @item OK
38163 success
38164 @item @w{}
38165 not supported
38166 @item E @var{NN}
38167 for an error
38168 @end table
38169
38170 @end table
38171
38172 @node Stop Reply Packets
38173 @section Stop Reply Packets
38174 @cindex stop reply packets
38175
38176 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
38177 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
38178 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
38179 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
38180 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
38181 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
38182 @value{GDBN} source code.
38183
38184 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
38185 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
38186 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
38187 components.
38188
38189 @table @samp
38190
38191 @item S @var{AA}
38192 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
38193 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
38194 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
38195
38196 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
38197 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
38198 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
38199 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
38200 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
38201 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
38202 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
38203 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
38204
38205 @itemize @bullet
38206 @item
38207 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
38208 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
38209 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
38210 two-digit hex number.
38211
38212 @item
38213 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
38214 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
38215
38216 @item
38217 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
38218 the core on which the stop event was detected.
38219
38220 @item
38221 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
38222 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
38223 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
38224 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
38225
38226 @item
38227 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
38228 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
38229 future.
38230 @end itemize
38231
38232 The currently defined stop reasons are:
38233
38234 @table @samp
38235 @item watch
38236 @itemx rwatch
38237 @itemx awatch
38238 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
38239 hex.
38240
38241 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
38242 @item library
38243 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
38244 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
38245 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
38246
38247 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
38248 @item replaylog
38249 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
38250 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
38251 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
38252 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
38253 for more information.
38254 @end table
38255
38256 @item W @var{AA}
38257 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
38258 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
38259 applicable to certain targets.
38260
38261 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
38262 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
38263 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
38264 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
38265
38266 @item X @var{AA}
38267 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
38268 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
38269
38270 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
38271 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
38272 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
38273 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
38274
38275 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
38276 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
38277 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
38278 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
38279 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
38280
38281 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
38282 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
38283 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
38284 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
38285 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
38286 system calls.
38287
38288 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
38289 this very system call.
38290
38291 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
38292 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
38293 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
38294 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
38295 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
38296 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
38297
38298 @end table
38299
38300 @node General Query Packets
38301 @section General Query Packets
38302 @cindex remote query requests
38303
38304 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
38305 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
38306 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
38307 sending information to and from the stub.
38308
38309 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
38310 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
38311 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
38312 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
38313 conventions:
38314
38315 @itemize @bullet
38316 @item
38317 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
38318 @item
38319 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
38320 letter.
38321 @item
38322 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
38323 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
38324 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
38325 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
38326 @end itemize
38327
38328 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
38329 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
38330 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
38331 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
38332 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
38333 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
38334 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
38335 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
38336 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
38337 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
38338 packet.}.
38339
38340 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
38341 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
38342 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
38343 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
38344 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
38345
38346 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
38347
38348 @table @samp
38349
38350 @item QAgent:1
38351 @itemx QAgent:0
38352 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
38353 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
38354
38355 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
38356 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
38357 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
38358 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
38359 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
38360 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
38361 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
38362 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
38363 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
38364 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
38365 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
38366
38367 @item qC
38368 @cindex current thread, remote request
38369 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
38370 Return the current thread ID.
38371
38372 Reply:
38373 @table @samp
38374 @item QC @var{thread-id}
38375 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
38376 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
38377 @item @r{(anything else)}
38378 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
38379 @end table
38380
38381 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
38382 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
38383 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
38384 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
38385 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
38386 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
38387 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
38388
38389 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
38390 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
38391 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
38392 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
38393 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
38394 detect trailing zeros.
38395
38396 Reply:
38397 @table @samp
38398 @item E @var{NN}
38399 An error (such as memory fault)
38400 @item C @var{crc32}
38401 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
38402 @end table
38403
38404 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
38405 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
38406 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
38407 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
38408 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
38409 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
38410 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
38411 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
38412 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
38413 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
38414 randomization.
38415
38416 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
38417
38418 Reply:
38419 @table @samp
38420 @item OK
38421 The request succeeded.
38422
38423 @item E @var{nn}
38424 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38425
38426 @item @w{}
38427 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
38428 by the stub.
38429 @end table
38430
38431 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38432 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38433 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
38434 address space randomization.
38435
38436 @item qfThreadInfo
38437 @itemx qsThreadInfo
38438 @cindex list active threads, remote request
38439 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
38440 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
38441 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
38442 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
38443 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
38444 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
38445 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
38446 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
38447
38448 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
38449
38450 Reply:
38451 @table @samp
38452 @item m @var{thread-id}
38453 A single thread ID
38454 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
38455 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
38456 @item l
38457 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
38458 @end table
38459
38460 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
38461 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
38462 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
38463 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
38464 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
38465 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
38466 fields.
38467
38468 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
38469 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
38470 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
38471 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
38472 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
38473
38474 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
38475 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
38476
38477 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
38478 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
38479 information associated with the variable.)
38480
38481 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
38482 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
38483 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
38484 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
38485 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
38486 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
38487
38488 Reply:
38489 @table @samp
38490 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
38491 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
38492 local storage requested.
38493
38494 @item E @var{nn}
38495 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38496
38497 @item @w{}
38498 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
38499 @end table
38500
38501 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
38502 @cindex get thread information block address
38503 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
38504 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
38505
38506 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
38507
38508 Reply:
38509 @table @samp
38510 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
38511 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
38512 thread information block.
38513
38514 @item E @var{nn}
38515 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
38516 address could not be retrieved.
38517
38518 @item @w{}
38519 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
38520 @end table
38521
38522 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
38523 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
38524 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
38525 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
38526 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
38527 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
38528 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
38529
38530 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
38531
38532 Reply:
38533 @table @samp
38534 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
38535 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
38536 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
38537 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
38538 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
38539 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
38540 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
38541 @end table
38542
38543 @item qOffsets
38544 @cindex section offsets, remote request
38545 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
38546 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
38547 image.
38548
38549 Reply:
38550 @table @samp
38551 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
38552 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
38553 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
38554 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
38555 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
38556 segments by the supplied offsets.
38557
38558 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
38559 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
38560 to the @code{Bss} section.}
38561
38562 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
38563 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
38564 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
38565 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
38566 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
38567 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
38568 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
38569 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
38570 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
38571 @end table
38572
38573 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
38574 @cindex thread information, remote request
38575 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
38576 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
38577 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
38578 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
38579
38580 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
38581 (see below).
38582
38583 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
38584
38585 @item QNonStop:1
38586 @itemx QNonStop:0
38587 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
38588 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
38589 @anchor{QNonStop}
38590 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
38591 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
38592
38593 Reply:
38594 @table @samp
38595 @item OK
38596 The request succeeded.
38597
38598 @item E @var{nn}
38599 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38600
38601 @item @w{}
38602 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
38603 the stub.
38604 @end table
38605
38606 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38607 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38608 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
38609 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
38610
38611 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
38612 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
38613 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
38614 @anchor{QPassSignals}
38615 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
38616 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
38617 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
38618 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
38619 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
38620 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
38621 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
38622 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
38623 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
38624
38625 Reply:
38626 @table @samp
38627 @item OK
38628 The request succeeded.
38629
38630 @item E @var{nn}
38631 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38632
38633 @item @w{}
38634 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
38635 the stub.
38636 @end table
38637
38638 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
38639 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
38640 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38641 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38642
38643 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
38644 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
38645 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
38646 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
38647 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
38648 Others should be silently discarded.
38649
38650 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
38651 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
38652 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
38653 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
38654 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
38655 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
38656 signals.
38657
38658 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
38659 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
38660
38661 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
38662 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
38663 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
38664 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
38665 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
38666
38667 Reply:
38668 @table @samp
38669 @item OK
38670 The request succeeded.
38671
38672 @item E @var{nn}
38673 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38674
38675 @item @w{}
38676 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
38677 by the stub.
38678 @end table
38679
38680 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
38681 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
38682 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38683 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38684
38685 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
38686 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
38687 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
38688 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
38689 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
38690 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
38691 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
38692 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
38693 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
38694
38695 Reply:
38696 @table @samp
38697 @item OK
38698 A command response with no output.
38699 @item @var{OUTPUT}
38700 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
38701 @item E @var{NN}
38702 Indicate a badly formed request.
38703 @item @w{}
38704 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
38705 @end table
38706
38707 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
38708 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
38709 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
38710 packets.)
38711
38712 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
38713 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
38714 @ifnotinfo
38715 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
38716 @end ifnotinfo
38717 @cindex @samp{qSearch memory} packet
38718 @anchor{qSearch memory}
38719 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
38720 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
38721 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
38722
38723 Reply:
38724 @table @samp
38725 @item 0
38726 The pattern was not found.
38727 @item 1,address
38728 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
38729 @item E @var{NN}
38730 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
38731 @item @w{}
38732 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
38733 @end table
38734
38735 @item QStartNoAckMode
38736 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
38737 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
38738 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
38739 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
38740
38741 Reply:
38742 @table @samp
38743 @item OK
38744 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
38745 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
38746 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
38747 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
38748 @item @w{}
38749 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
38750 @end table
38751
38752 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
38753 @cindex supported packets, remote query
38754 @cindex features of the remote protocol
38755 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
38756 @anchor{qSupported}
38757 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
38758 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
38759 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
38760 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
38761 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
38762 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
38763 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
38764 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
38765 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
38766 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
38767 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
38768 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
38769 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
38770 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
38771
38772 Reply:
38773 @table @samp
38774 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
38775 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
38776 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
38777 possible forms).
38778 @item @w{}
38779 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
38780 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
38781 @end table
38782
38783 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
38784 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
38785 are:
38786
38787 @table @samp
38788 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
38789 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
38790 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
38791 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
38792 @item @var{name}+
38793 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
38794 need an associated value.
38795 @item @var{name}-
38796 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
38797 @item @var{name}?
38798 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
38799 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
38800 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
38801 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
38802 @end table
38803
38804 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
38805 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
38806 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
38807 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
38808 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
38809
38810 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
38811 are defined:
38812
38813 @table @samp
38814 @item multiprocess
38815 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
38816 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
38817 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
38818 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
38819 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
38820
38821 @item xmlRegisters
38822 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
38823 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
38824 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
38825 description.
38826
38827 @item qRelocInsn
38828 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
38829 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
38830 instruction reply packet}).
38831 @end table
38832
38833 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
38834 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
38835 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
38836 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
38837 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
38838 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
38839 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
38840 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
38841 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
38842 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
38843 all the features it supports.
38844
38845 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
38846 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
38847
38848 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
38849 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
38850 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
38851 form response.
38852
38853 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
38854 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
38855 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
38856 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
38857
38858 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
38859 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
38860 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
38861 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
38862 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
38863
38864 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
38865
38866 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
38867 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
38868 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
38869 @item Feature Name
38870 @tab Value Required
38871 @tab Default
38872 @tab Probe Allowed
38873
38874 @item @samp{PacketSize}
38875 @tab Yes
38876 @tab @samp{-}
38877 @tab No
38878
38879 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
38880 @tab No
38881 @tab @samp{-}
38882 @tab Yes
38883
38884 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
38885 @tab No
38886 @tab @samp{-}
38887 @tab Yes
38888
38889 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
38890 @tab No
38891 @tab @samp{-}
38892 @tab Yes
38893
38894 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
38895 @tab No
38896 @tab @samp{-}
38897 @tab Yes
38898
38899 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read}
38900 @tab No
38901 @tab @samp{-}
38902 @tab Yes
38903
38904 @item @samp{augmented-libraries-svr4-read}
38905 @tab No
38906 @tab @samp{-}
38907 @tab No
38908
38909 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
38910 @tab No
38911 @tab @samp{-}
38912 @tab Yes
38913
38914 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
38915 @tab No
38916 @tab @samp{-}
38917 @tab Yes
38918
38919 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
38920 @tab No
38921 @tab @samp{-}
38922 @tab Yes
38923
38924 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
38925 @tab No
38926 @tab @samp{-}
38927 @tab Yes
38928
38929 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
38930 @tab No
38931 @tab @samp{-}
38932 @tab Yes
38933
38934 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
38935 @tab No
38936 @tab @samp{-}
38937 @tab Yes
38938
38939 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
38940 @tab No
38941 @tab @samp{-}
38942 @tab Yes
38943
38944 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
38945 @tab No
38946 @tab @samp{-}
38947 @tab Yes
38948
38949 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
38950 @tab No
38951 @tab @samp{-}
38952 @tab Yes
38953
38954 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
38955 @tab No
38956 @tab @samp{-}
38957 @tab Yes
38958
38959 @item @samp{Qbtrace:off}
38960 @tab Yes
38961 @tab @samp{-}
38962 @tab Yes
38963
38964 @item @samp{Qbtrace:bts}
38965 @tab Yes
38966 @tab @samp{-}
38967 @tab Yes
38968
38969 @item @samp{QNonStop}
38970 @tab No
38971 @tab @samp{-}
38972 @tab Yes
38973
38974 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
38975 @tab No
38976 @tab @samp{-}
38977 @tab Yes
38978
38979 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
38980 @tab No
38981 @tab @samp{-}
38982 @tab Yes
38983
38984 @item @samp{multiprocess}
38985 @tab No
38986 @tab @samp{-}
38987 @tab No
38988
38989 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
38990 @tab No
38991 @tab @samp{-}
38992 @tab No
38993
38994 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
38995 @tab No
38996 @tab @samp{-}
38997 @tab No
38998
38999 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
39000 @tab No
39001 @tab @samp{-}
39002 @tab No
39003
39004 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
39005 @tab No
39006 @tab @samp{-}
39007 @tab No
39008
39009 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
39010 @tab No
39011 @tab @samp{-}
39012 @tab No
39013
39014 @item @samp{QAgent}
39015 @tab No
39016 @tab @samp{-}
39017 @tab No
39018
39019 @item @samp{QAllow}
39020 @tab No
39021 @tab @samp{-}
39022 @tab No
39023
39024 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
39025 @tab No
39026 @tab @samp{-}
39027 @tab No
39028
39029 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
39030 @tab No
39031 @tab @samp{-}
39032 @tab No
39033
39034 @item @samp{QTBuffer:size}
39035 @tab No
39036 @tab @samp{-}
39037 @tab No
39038
39039 @item @samp{tracenz}
39040 @tab No
39041 @tab @samp{-}
39042 @tab No
39043
39044 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
39045 @tab No
39046 @tab @samp{-}
39047 @tab No
39048
39049 @end multitable
39050
39051 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
39052
39053 @table @samp
39054 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
39055 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
39056 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
39057 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
39058 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
39059 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
39060 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
39061 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
39062 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
39063 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
39064
39065 @item qXfer:auxv:read
39066 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
39067 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
39068
39069 @item qXfer:btrace:read
39070 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
39071 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}).
39072
39073 @item qXfer:features:read
39074 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
39075 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
39076
39077 @item qXfer:libraries:read
39078 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
39079 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
39080
39081 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
39082 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
39083 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
39084
39085 @item augmented-libraries-svr4-read
39086 The remote stub understands the augmented form of the
39087 @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
39088 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
39089
39090 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
39091 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
39092 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
39093
39094 @item qXfer:sdata:read
39095 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
39096 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
39097
39098 @item qXfer:spu:read
39099 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
39100 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
39101
39102 @item qXfer:spu:write
39103 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
39104 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
39105
39106 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
39107 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
39108 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
39109
39110 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
39111 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
39112 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
39113
39114 @item qXfer:threads:read
39115 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
39116 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
39117
39118 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
39119 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
39120 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
39121
39122 @item qXfer:uib:read
39123 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
39124 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
39125
39126 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
39127 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
39128 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
39129
39130 @item QNonStop
39131 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
39132 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
39133
39134 @item QPassSignals
39135 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
39136 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
39137
39138 @item QStartNoAckMode
39139 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
39140 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
39141
39142 @item multiprocess
39143 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
39144 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
39145 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
39146 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
39147 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
39148 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
39149 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
39150 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
39151 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
39152 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
39153 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
39154
39155 @item qXfer:osdata:read
39156 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
39157 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
39158
39159 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
39160 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
39161 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
39162 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
39163
39164 @item ConditionalTracepoints
39165 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
39166 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
39167
39168 @item ReverseContinue
39169 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
39170 (@pxref{bc}).
39171
39172 @item ReverseStep
39173 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
39174 (@pxref{bs}).
39175
39176 @item TracepointSource
39177 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
39178 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
39179
39180 @item QAgent
39181 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
39182
39183 @item QAllow
39184 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
39185
39186 @item QDisableRandomization
39187 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
39188
39189 @item StaticTracepoint
39190 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
39191 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
39192
39193 @item InstallInTrace
39194 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
39195 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
39196
39197 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
39198 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
39199 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
39200 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
39201
39202 @item QTBuffer:size
39203 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTBuffer:size} (@pxref{QTBuffer-size})
39204 packet that allows to change the size of the trace buffer.
39205
39206 @item tracenz
39207 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
39208 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
39209 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
39210
39211 @item BreakpointCommands
39212 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
39213 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
39214 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
39215
39216 @item Qbtrace:off
39217 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:off} packet.
39218
39219 @item Qbtrace:bts
39220 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:bts} packet.
39221
39222 @end table
39223
39224 @item qSymbol::
39225 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
39226 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
39227 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
39228 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
39229
39230 Reply:
39231 @table @samp
39232 @item OK
39233 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
39234 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
39235 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
39236 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
39237 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
39238 below.
39239 @end table
39240
39241 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
39242 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
39243
39244 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
39245 target has previously requested.
39246
39247 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
39248 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
39249 will be empty.
39250
39251 Reply:
39252 @table @samp
39253 @item OK
39254 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
39255 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
39256 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
39257 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
39258 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
39259 @end table
39260
39261 @item qTBuffer
39262 @itemx QTBuffer
39263 @itemx QTDisconnected
39264 @itemx QTDP
39265 @itemx QTDPsrc
39266 @itemx QTDV
39267 @itemx qTfP
39268 @itemx qTfV
39269 @itemx QTFrame
39270 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
39271
39272 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
39273
39274 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
39275 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
39276 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
39277 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
39278 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
39279 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
39280 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
39281 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
39282 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
39283 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
39284 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
39285
39286 Reply:
39287 @table @samp
39288 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
39289 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
39290 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
39291 the thread's attributes.
39292 @end table
39293
39294 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
39295 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
39296 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
39297 packets.)
39298
39299 @item QTNotes
39300 @itemx qTP
39301 @itemx QTSave
39302 @itemx qTsP
39303 @itemx qTsV
39304 @itemx QTStart
39305 @itemx QTStop
39306 @itemx QTEnable
39307 @itemx QTDisable
39308 @itemx QTinit
39309 @itemx QTro
39310 @itemx qTStatus
39311 @itemx qTV
39312 @itemx qTfSTM
39313 @itemx qTsSTM
39314 @itemx qTSTMat
39315 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
39316
39317 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39318 @cindex read special object, remote request
39319 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
39320 @anchor{qXfer read}
39321 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
39322 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
39323 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
39324 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
39325 additional details about what data to access.
39326
39327 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
39328 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
39329 formats, listed below.
39330
39331 @table @samp
39332 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39333 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
39334 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
39335 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
39336
39337 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39338 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39339
39340 @item qXfer:btrace:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39341 @anchor{qXfer btrace read}
39342
39343 Return a description of the current branch trace.
39344 @xref{Branch Trace Format}. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer}
39345 packet may have one of the following values:
39346
39347 @table @code
39348 @item all
39349 Returns all available branch trace.
39350
39351 @item new
39352 Returns all available branch trace if the branch trace changed since
39353 the last read request.
39354 @end table
39355
39356 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
39357 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39358
39359 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39360 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
39361 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
39362 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
39363 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
39364
39365 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39366 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39367
39368 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39369 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
39370 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
39371 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
39372 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39373
39374 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
39375 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
39376 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
39377
39378 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39379 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39380
39381 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39382 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
39383 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
39384 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
39385 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty unless the remote
39386 stub indicated it supports the augmented form of this packet
39387 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39388 (@pxref{qXfer read}, @ref{qSupported}).
39389
39390 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
39391 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
39392
39393 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39394 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39395
39396 If the remote stub indicates it supports the augmented form of this
39397 packet then the annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet may
39398 contain a semicolon-separated list of @samp{@var{name}=@var{value}}
39399 arguments. The currently supported arguments are:
39400
39401 @table @code
39402 @item start=@var{address}
39403 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
39404 link_map} to start reading the library list from. If unset or zero
39405 then the first @samp{struct link_map} in the library list will be
39406 chosen as the starting point.
39407
39408 @item prev=@var{address}
39409 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
39410 link_map} immediately preceding the @samp{struct link_map}
39411 specified by the @samp{start} argument. If unset or zero then
39412 the remote stub will expect that no @samp{struct link_map}
39413 exists prior to the starting point.
39414
39415 @end table
39416
39417 Arguments that are not understood by the remote stub will be silently
39418 ignored.
39419
39420 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39421 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
39422 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
39423 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
39424 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39425
39426 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39427 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39428
39429 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39430 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
39431
39432 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
39433 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
39434 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
39435 Action Lists}.
39436
39437 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39438 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39439 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39440
39441 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39442 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
39443 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
39444 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
39445 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39446
39447 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39448 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39449 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39450
39451 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39452 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
39453 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
39454 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
39455 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
39456 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
39457 in that context to be accessed.
39458
39459 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39460 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39461 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39462
39463 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39464 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
39465 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
39466 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
39467 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39468
39469 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39470 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39471
39472 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39473 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
39474
39475 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
39476 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
39477 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39478
39479 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39480 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39481
39482 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39483 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
39484
39485 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
39486 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
39487
39488 This packet is not probed by default.
39489
39490 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39491 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
39492 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
39493 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
39494 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
39495
39496 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39497 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39498
39499 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39500 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
39501 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
39502 @xref{Operating System Information}.
39503
39504 @end table
39505
39506 Reply:
39507 @table @samp
39508 @item m @var{data}
39509 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
39510 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
39511 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
39512 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
39513 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
39514 request.
39515
39516 @item l @var{data}
39517 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
39518 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
39519 than the @var{length} in the request.
39520
39521 @item l
39522 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
39523 There is no more data to be read.
39524
39525 @item E00
39526 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
39527
39528 @item E @var{nn}
39529 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
39530 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
39531
39532 @item @w{}
39533 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
39534 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
39535 @end table
39536
39537 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
39538 @cindex write data into object, remote request
39539 @anchor{qXfer write}
39540 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
39541 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
39542 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
39543 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
39544 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
39545 to access.
39546
39547 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
39548 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
39549 formats, listed below.
39550
39551 @table @samp
39552 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
39553 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
39554 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
39555 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
39556 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
39557
39558 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39559 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39560 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39561
39562 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
39563 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
39564 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
39565 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
39566 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
39567 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
39568 in that context to be accessed.
39569
39570 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39571 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39572 @end table
39573
39574 Reply:
39575 @table @samp
39576 @item @var{nn}
39577 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
39578 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
39579
39580 @item E00
39581 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
39582
39583 @item E @var{nn}
39584 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
39585 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
39586
39587 @item @w{}
39588 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
39589 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
39590 @end table
39591
39592 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
39593 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
39594 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
39595 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
39596 must respond with an empty packet.
39597
39598 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
39599 @cindex query attached, remote request
39600 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
39601 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
39602 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
39603 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
39604 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
39605 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
39606 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
39607
39608 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
39609 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
39610 the @code{quit} command.
39611
39612 Reply:
39613 @table @samp
39614 @item 1
39615 The remote server attached to an existing process.
39616 @item 0
39617 The remote server created a new process.
39618 @item E @var{NN}
39619 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39620 @end table
39621
39622 @item Qbtrace:bts
39623 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using bts tracing.
39624
39625 Reply:
39626 @table @samp
39627 @item OK
39628 Branch tracing has been enabled.
39629 @item E.errtext
39630 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39631 @end table
39632
39633 @item Qbtrace:off
39634 Disable branch tracing for the current thread.
39635
39636 Reply:
39637 @table @samp
39638 @item OK
39639 Branch tracing has been disabled.
39640 @item E.errtext
39641 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39642 @end table
39643
39644 @end table
39645
39646 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
39647 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
39648
39649 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
39650 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
39651 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
39652
39653 @menu
39654 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
39655 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
39656 @end menu
39657
39658 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
39659 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
39660
39661 @menu
39662 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
39663 @end menu
39664
39665 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
39666 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
39667 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
39668
39669 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
39670
39671 @table @r
39672
39673 @item 2
39674 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
39675
39676 @item 3
39677 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
39678
39679 @item 4
39680 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
39681
39682 @end table
39683
39684 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
39685 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
39686
39687 @menu
39688 * MIPS Register packet Format::
39689 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
39690 @end menu
39691
39692 @node MIPS Register packet Format
39693 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
39694 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
39695
39696 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
39697 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
39698 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
39699 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
39700 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
39701 most-significant -- least-significant.
39702
39703 @table @r
39704
39705 @item MIPS32
39706 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
39707 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
39708 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
39709
39710 @item MIPS64
39711 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
39712 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
39713 as @code{MIPS32}.
39714
39715 @end table
39716
39717 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
39718 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
39719 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
39720
39721 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
39722
39723 @table @r
39724
39725 @item 2
39726 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
39727
39728 @item 3
39729 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
39730
39731 @item 4
39732 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
39733
39734 @item 5
39735 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
39736
39737 @end table
39738
39739 @node Tracepoint Packets
39740 @section Tracepoint Packets
39741 @cindex tracepoint packets
39742 @cindex packets, tracepoint
39743
39744 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
39745 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
39746
39747 @table @samp
39748
39749 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
39750 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
39751 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
39752 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
39753 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
39754 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
39755 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
39756 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
39757 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
39758 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
39759 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
39760 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
39761 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
39762 actions.
39763
39764 Replies:
39765 @table @samp
39766 @item OK
39767 The packet was understood and carried out.
39768 @item qRelocInsn
39769 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
39770 @item @w{}
39771 The packet was not recognized.
39772 @end table
39773
39774 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
39775 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
39776 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
39777 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
39778 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
39779 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
39780 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
39781
39782 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
39783 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
39784 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
39785 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
39786 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
39787 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
39788 tracepoint actions.
39789
39790 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
39791 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
39792 following forms:
39793
39794 @table @samp
39795
39796 @item R @var{mask}
39797 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
39798 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
39799 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
39800 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
39801 not fit in a 32-bit word.
39802
39803 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
39804 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
39805 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
39806 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
39807 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
39808 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
39809 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
39810
39811 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
39812 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
39813 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
39814 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
39815 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
39816 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
39817 packet).
39818
39819 @end table
39820
39821 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
39822 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
39823 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
39824 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
39825 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
39826 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
39827 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
39828 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
39829
39830 Replies:
39831 @table @samp
39832 @item OK
39833 The packet was understood and carried out.
39834 @item qRelocInsn
39835 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
39836 @item @w{}
39837 The packet was not recognized.
39838 @end table
39839
39840 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
39841 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
39842 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
39843 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
39844 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
39845 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
39846 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
39847 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
39848
39849 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
39850 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
39851 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
39852 fit in a single packet.
39853 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
39854 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
39855
39856 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
39857 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
39858 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
39859 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
39860
39861 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
39862 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
39863 query packets.
39864
39865 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
39866 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
39867 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
39868 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
39869 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
39870 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
39871 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
39872 be found.
39873
39874 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
39875 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
39876 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
39877 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
39878 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
39879 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
39880 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
39881 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
39882 mentioned in expressions.
39883
39884 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
39885 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
39886 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
39887 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
39888 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
39889
39890 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
39891 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
39892 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
39893 one of the following forms:
39894
39895 @table @samp
39896 @item F @var{f}
39897 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
39898 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
39899 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
39900
39901 @item T @var{t}
39902 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
39903 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
39904
39905 @end table
39906
39907 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
39908 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39909 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
39910 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
39911
39912 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
39913 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39914 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
39915 is a hexadecimal number.
39916
39917 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
39918 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39919 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
39920 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
39921 numbers.
39922
39923 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
39924 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
39925 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
39926
39927 @item qTMinFTPILen
39928 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
39929 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
39930 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
39931 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
39932 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
39933 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
39934 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
39935 arrange for that.
39936
39937 Replies:
39938
39939 @table @samp
39940 @item 0
39941 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
39942 @item @var{length}
39943 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length} is greater
39944 or equal to 1. @var{length} is a hexadecimal number. A reply of 1 means
39945 that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction regardless of size.
39946 @item E
39947 An error has occurred.
39948 @item @w{}
39949 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
39950 @end table
39951
39952 @item QTStart
39953 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
39954 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
39955 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
39956 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
39957 instruction reply packet}).
39958
39959 @item QTStop
39960 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
39961 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
39962
39963 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
39964 @anchor{QTEnable}
39965 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
39966 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
39967 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
39968 of data from it will resume.
39969
39970 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
39971 @anchor{QTDisable}
39972 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
39973 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
39974 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
39975 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
39976
39977 @item QTinit
39978 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
39979 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
39980
39981 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
39982 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
39983 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
39984 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
39985 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
39986
39987 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
39988 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
39989 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
39990 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
39991
39992 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
39993 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
39994 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
39995 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
39996 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
39997 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
39998
39999 @item qTStatus
40000 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
40001 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
40002
40003 The reply has the form:
40004
40005 @table @samp
40006
40007 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
40008 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
40009 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
40010 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
40011
40012 @end table
40013
40014 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
40015 explanations as one of the optional fields:
40016
40017 @table @samp
40018
40019 @item tnotrun:0
40020 No trace has been run yet.
40021
40022 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
40023 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
40024 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
40025 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
40026 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
40027
40028 @item tfull:0
40029 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
40030
40031 @item tdisconnected:0
40032 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
40033
40034 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
40035 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
40036
40037 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
40038 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
40039 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
40040 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
40041 @var{text} is hex encoded.
40042
40043 @item tunknown:0
40044 The trace stopped for some other reason.
40045
40046 @end table
40047
40048 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
40049 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
40050 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
40051 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
40052 trace.
40053
40054 @table @samp
40055
40056 @item tframes:@var{n}
40057 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
40058
40059 @item tcreated:@var{n}
40060 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
40061 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
40062
40063 @item tsize:@var{n}
40064 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
40065
40066 @item tfree:@var{n}
40067 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
40068
40069 @item circular:@var{n}
40070 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
40071 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
40072 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
40073 and may fill up.
40074
40075 @item disconn:@var{n}
40076 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
40077 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
40078 that the trace run will stop.
40079
40080 @end table
40081
40082 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
40083 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
40084 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
40085 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
40086 address @var{addr}.
40087
40088 Replies:
40089 @table @samp
40090 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
40091 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
40092 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
40093 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
40094 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
40095
40096 @end table
40097
40098 @item qTV:@var{var}
40099 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
40100 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
40101 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
40102
40103 Replies:
40104 @table @samp
40105 @item V@var{value}
40106 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
40107 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
40108 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
40109 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
40110 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
40111 program is running.
40112
40113 @item U
40114 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
40115 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
40116 was not collected.
40117 @end table
40118
40119 @item qTfP
40120 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
40121 @itemx qTsP
40122 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
40123 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
40124 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
40125 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
40126 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
40127 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
40128
40129 @item qTfV
40130 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
40131 @itemx qTsV
40132 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
40133 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
40134 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
40135 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
40136 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
40137 trace state variables.
40138
40139 @item qTfSTM
40140 @itemx qTsSTM
40141 @anchor{qTfSTM}
40142 @anchor{qTsSTM}
40143 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
40144 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
40145 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
40146 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
40147 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
40148 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
40149
40150 Reply:
40151 @table @samp
40152 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
40153 A single marker
40154 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
40155 a comma-separated list of markers
40156 @item l
40157 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
40158 @item E @var{nn}
40159 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
40160 @item @w{}
40161 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
40162 stub.
40163 @end table
40164
40165 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
40166 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
40167
40168 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
40169 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
40170 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
40171 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
40172 @dfn{last}).
40173
40174 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
40175 @anchor{qTSTMat}
40176 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
40177 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
40178 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
40179 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
40180 tracepoint markers.
40181
40182 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
40183 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
40184 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
40185 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
40186 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
40187 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
40188
40189 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
40190 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
40191 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
40192 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
40193 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
40194 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
40195 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
40196 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
40197 available.
40198
40199 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
40200 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
40201 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
40202
40203 @item QTBuffer:size:@var{size}
40204 @anchor{QTBuffer-size}
40205 @cindex @samp{QTBuffer size} packet
40206 This packet directs the target to make the trace buffer be of size
40207 @var{size} if possible. A value of @code{-1} tells the target to
40208 use whatever size it prefers.
40209
40210 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
40211 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
40212 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
40213 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
40214 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
40215
40216 @end table
40217
40218 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
40219 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
40220 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
40221 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
40222 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
40223 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
40224 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
40225 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
40226 it had executed in the original location.
40227
40228 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
40229 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
40230 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
40231 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
40232 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
40233 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
40234 format of the request is:
40235
40236 @table @samp
40237 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
40238
40239 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
40240 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
40241 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
40242 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
40243 memory starting at @var{to}.
40244 @end table
40245
40246 Replies:
40247 @table @samp
40248 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
40249 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
40250 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
40251 @item E @var{NN}
40252 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
40253 relocating the instruction.
40254 @end table
40255
40256 @node Host I/O Packets
40257 @section Host I/O Packets
40258 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
40259 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
40260
40261 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
40262 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
40263 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
40264 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
40265 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
40266 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
40267 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
40268 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
40269 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
40270 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
40271
40272 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
40273 its arguments. They have this format:
40274
40275 @table @samp
40276
40277 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
40278 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
40279 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
40280 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
40281 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
40282 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
40283 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
40284 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
40285 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
40286
40287 @end table
40288
40289 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
40290
40291 @table @samp
40292
40293 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
40294 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
40295 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
40296 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
40297 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
40298 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
40299 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
40300 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
40301 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
40302 @var{attachment}.
40303
40304 @item @w{}
40305 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
40306
40307 @end table
40308
40309 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
40310
40311 @table @samp
40312 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
40313 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
40314 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
40315 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
40316 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
40317 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
40318 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
40319
40320 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
40321 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
40322 -1 if an error occurs.
40323
40324 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
40325 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
40326 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
40327 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
40328 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
40329 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
40330 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
40331 @var{count} was zero.
40332
40333 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
40334 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
40335 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
40336 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
40337 some characters were escaped.
40338
40339 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
40340 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
40341 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
40342 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
40343 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
40344 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
40345 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
40346 error occurred.
40347
40348 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
40349 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
40350 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
40351
40352 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
40353 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
40354 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
40355
40356 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
40357 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
40358 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
40359 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
40360 some characters were escaped.
40361
40362 @end table
40363
40364 @node Interrupts
40365 @section Interrupts
40366 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
40367
40368 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
40369 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
40370 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
40371 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
40372
40373 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
40374 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
40375 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
40376 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
40377 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
40378
40379 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
40380 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
40381 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
40382 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
40383 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
40384 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
40385 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
40386 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
40387
40388 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
40389 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
40390 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
40391
40392 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
40393 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
40394 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
40395 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
40396 currently-executing threads and processes.
40397 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
40398 running program, it should send one of the stop
40399 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
40400 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
40401 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
40402 Interrupts received while the
40403 program is stopped are discarded.
40404
40405 @node Notification Packets
40406 @section Notification Packets
40407 @cindex notification packets
40408 @cindex packets, notification
40409
40410 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
40411 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
40412 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
40413 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
40414 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
40415 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
40416 is not a problem.
40417
40418 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
40419 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
40420 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
40421 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
40422 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
40423 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
40424 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
40425
40426 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
40427 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
40428
40429 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
40430 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
40431 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
40432 not they understand it.
40433
40434 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
40435 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
40436 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
40437 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
40438 recipients.
40439
40440 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
40441 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
40442 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
40443 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
40444 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
40445
40446 Each notification is comprised of three parts:
40447 @table @samp
40448 @item @var{name}:@var{event}
40449 The notification packet is sent by the side that initiates the
40450 exchange (currently, only the stub does that), with @var{event}
40451 carrying the specific information about the notification.
40452 @var{name} is the name of the notification.
40453 @item @var{ack}
40454 The acknowledge sent by the other side, usually @value{GDBN}, to
40455 acknowledge the exchange and request the event.
40456 @end table
40457
40458 The purpose of an asynchronous notification mechanism is to report to
40459 @value{GDBN} that something interesting happened in the remote stub.
40460
40461 The remote stub may send notification @var{name}:@var{event}
40462 at any time, but @value{GDBN} acknowledges the notification when
40463 appropriate. The notification event is pending before @value{GDBN}
40464 acknowledges. Only one notification at a time may be pending; if
40465 additional events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
40466 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
40467 synchronous transmission in response to @var{ack} packets from
40468 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
40469 the stub is permitted to resend a notification if it believes
40470 @value{GDBN} may not have received it.
40471
40472 Specifically, notifications may appear when @value{GDBN} is not
40473 otherwise reading input from the stub, or when @value{GDBN} is
40474 expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
40475 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
40476 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
40477 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
40478
40479 After receiving a notification, @value{GDBN} shall acknowledge it by
40480 sending a @var{ack} packet as a regular, synchronous request to the
40481 stub. Such acknowledgment is not required to happen immediately, as
40482 @value{GDBN} is permitted to send other, unrelated packets to the
40483 stub first, which the stub should process normally.
40484
40485 Upon receiving a @var{ack} packet, if the stub has other queued
40486 events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
40487 normal @var{event}. @value{GDBN} shall then send another @var{ack}
40488 packet to solicit further responses; again, it is permitted to send
40489 other, unrelated packets as well which the stub should process
40490 normally.
40491
40492 If the stub receives a @var{ack} packet and there are no additional
40493 @var{event} to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK} response.
40494 At this point, @value{GDBN} has finished processing a notification
40495 and the stub has completed sending any queued events. @value{GDBN}
40496 won't accept any new notifications until the final @samp{OK} is
40497 received . If further notification events occur, the stub shall send
40498 a new notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the notification, and
40499 the process shall be repeated.
40500
40501 The process of asynchronous notification can be illustrated by the
40502 following example:
40503 @smallexample
40504 <- @code{%%Stop:T0505:98e7ffbf;04:4ce6ffbf;08:b1b6e54c;thread:p7526.7526;core:0;}
40505 @code{...}
40506 -> @code{vStopped}
40507 <- @code{T0505:68f37db7;04:40f37db7;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7528;core:0;}
40508 -> @code{vStopped}
40509 <- @code{T0505:68e3fdb6;04:40e3fdb6;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7529;core:0;}
40510 -> @code{vStopped}
40511 <- @code{OK}
40512 @end smallexample
40513
40514 The following notifications are defined:
40515 @multitable @columnfractions 0.12 0.12 0.38 0.38
40516
40517 @item Notification
40518 @tab Ack
40519 @tab Event
40520 @tab Description
40521
40522 @item Stop
40523 @tab vStopped
40524 @tab @var{reply}. The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
40525 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
40526 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
40527 @value{GDBN}.
40528 @tab Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
40529
40530 @end multitable
40531
40532 @node Remote Non-Stop
40533 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
40534
40535 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
40536 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
40537 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
40538 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40539
40540 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
40541 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
40542 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
40543 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
40544 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
40545 probe the target state after a mode change.
40546
40547 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
40548 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
40549 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
40550 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
40551 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
40552 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
40553 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
40554 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
40555 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
40556 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
40557 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
40558
40559 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
40560 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
40561 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
40562 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
40563 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
40564 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
40565 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
40566 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
40567 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
40568 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
40569 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
40570 @samp{OK}.
40571
40572 @node Packet Acknowledgment
40573 @section Packet Acknowledgment
40574
40575 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
40576 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
40577 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
40578 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
40579 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
40580 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
40581 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
40582
40583 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
40584 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
40585 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
40586 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
40587 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
40588
40589 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
40590 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
40591 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
40592 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
40593
40594 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
40595 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
40596 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
40597 @pxref{qSupported}.
40598 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
40599 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
40600 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
40601 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
40602 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
40603 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
40604 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
40605
40606 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
40607 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
40608 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
40609 connection.
40610 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
40611 new connection is established,
40612 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
40613 for the current connection, once disabled.
40614
40615 @node Examples
40616 @section Examples
40617
40618 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
40619 does not get any direct output:
40620
40621 @smallexample
40622 -> @code{R00}
40623 <- @code{+}
40624 @emph{target restarts}
40625 -> @code{?}
40626 <- @code{+}
40627 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
40628 -> @code{+}
40629 @end smallexample
40630
40631 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
40632
40633 @smallexample
40634 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
40635 <- @code{+}
40636 -> @code{s}
40637 <- @code{+}
40638 @emph{time passes}
40639 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
40640 -> @code{+}
40641 -> @code{g}
40642 <- @code{+}
40643 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
40644 -> @code{+}
40645 @end smallexample
40646
40647 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
40648 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
40649 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
40650
40651 @menu
40652 * File-I/O Overview::
40653 * Protocol Basics::
40654 * The F Request Packet::
40655 * The F Reply Packet::
40656 * The Ctrl-C Message::
40657 * Console I/O::
40658 * List of Supported Calls::
40659 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
40660 * Constants::
40661 * File-I/O Examples::
40662 @end menu
40663
40664 @node File-I/O Overview
40665 @subsection File-I/O Overview
40666 @cindex file-i/o overview
40667
40668 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
40669 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
40670 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
40671 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
40672 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
40673 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
40674
40675 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
40676 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
40677 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
40678 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
40679 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
40680
40681 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
40682 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
40683 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
40684 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
40685 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
40686 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
40687 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
40688
40689 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
40690 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
40691 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
40692 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
40693 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
40694
40695 @smallexample
40696 (@value{GDBP}) continue
40697 <- target requests 'system call X'
40698 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
40699 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
40700 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
40701 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
40702 @end smallexample
40703
40704 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
40705 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
40706 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
40707 system are not supported by this protocol.
40708
40709 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
40710
40711 @node Protocol Basics
40712 @subsection Protocol Basics
40713 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
40714
40715 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
40716 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
40717 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
40718 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
40719 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
40720 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
40721 to call the appropriate host system call:
40722
40723 @itemize @bullet
40724 @item
40725 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
40726
40727 @item
40728 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
40729 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
40730 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
40731 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
40732
40733 @end itemize
40734
40735 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
40736
40737 @itemize @bullet
40738 @item
40739 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
40740 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
40741 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
40742 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
40743 packet.
40744
40745 @item
40746 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
40747 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
40748
40749 @item
40750 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
40751
40752 @item
40753 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
40754
40755 @item
40756 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
40757 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
40758 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
40759 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
40760 packet.
40761
40762 @end itemize
40763
40764 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
40765 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
40766
40767 @itemize @bullet
40768 @item
40769 Return value.
40770
40771 @item
40772 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
40773
40774 @item
40775 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
40776
40777 @end itemize
40778
40779 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
40780 the latest continue or step action.
40781
40782 @node The F Request Packet
40783 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
40784 @cindex file-i/o request packet
40785 @cindex @code{F} request packet
40786
40787 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
40788
40789 @table @samp
40790 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
40791
40792 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
40793 This is just the name of the function.
40794
40795 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
40796 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
40797 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
40798 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
40799 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
40800 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
40801 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
40802
40803 @end table
40804
40805
40806
40807 @node The F Reply Packet
40808 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
40809 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
40810 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
40811
40812 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
40813
40814 @table @samp
40815
40816 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
40817
40818 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
40819
40820 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
40821 representation.
40822 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
40823
40824 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
40825 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
40826 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
40827
40828 @smallexample
40829 F0,0,C
40830 @end smallexample
40831
40832 @noindent
40833 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
40834
40835 @smallexample
40836 F-1,4,C
40837 @end smallexample
40838
40839 @noindent
40840 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
40841
40842 @end table
40843
40844
40845 @node The Ctrl-C Message
40846 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
40847 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
40848
40849 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
40850 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
40851 the target should behave as if it had
40852 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
40853 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
40854 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
40855 packet.
40856
40857 It's important for the target to know in which
40858 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
40859
40860 @itemize @bullet
40861 @item
40862 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
40863
40864 @item
40865 The system call on the host has been finished.
40866
40867 @end itemize
40868
40869 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
40870 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
40871 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
40872 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
40873 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
40874 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
40875
40876 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
40877 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
40878 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
40879 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
40880 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
40881 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
40882 or the full action has been completed.
40883
40884 @node Console I/O
40885 @subsection Console I/O
40886 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
40887
40888 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
40889 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
40890 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
40891 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
40892 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
40893 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
40894 conditions is met:
40895
40896 @itemize @bullet
40897 @item
40898 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
40899 @code{read}
40900 system call is treated as finished.
40901
40902 @item
40903 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
40904 newline.
40905
40906 @item
40907 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
40908 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
40909
40910 @end itemize
40911
40912 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
40913 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
40914 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
40915 is stopped at the user's request.
40916
40917
40918 @node List of Supported Calls
40919 @subsection List of Supported Calls
40920 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
40921
40922 @menu
40923 * open::
40924 * close::
40925 * read::
40926 * write::
40927 * lseek::
40928 * rename::
40929 * unlink::
40930 * stat/fstat::
40931 * gettimeofday::
40932 * isatty::
40933 * system::
40934 @end menu
40935
40936 @node open
40937 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
40938 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
40939
40940 @table @asis
40941 @item Synopsis:
40942 @smallexample
40943 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
40944 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
40945 @end smallexample
40946
40947 @item Request:
40948 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
40949
40950 @noindent
40951 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
40952
40953 @table @code
40954 @item O_CREAT
40955 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
40956 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
40957 are concerned.
40958
40959 @item O_EXCL
40960 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
40961 an error and open() fails.
40962
40963 @item O_TRUNC
40964 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
40965 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
40966 truncated to zero length.
40967
40968 @item O_APPEND
40969 The file is opened in append mode.
40970
40971 @item O_RDONLY
40972 The file is opened for reading only.
40973
40974 @item O_WRONLY
40975 The file is opened for writing only.
40976
40977 @item O_RDWR
40978 The file is opened for reading and writing.
40979 @end table
40980
40981 @noindent
40982 Other bits are silently ignored.
40983
40984
40985 @noindent
40986 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
40987
40988 @table @code
40989 @item S_IRUSR
40990 User has read permission.
40991
40992 @item S_IWUSR
40993 User has write permission.
40994
40995 @item S_IRGRP
40996 Group has read permission.
40997
40998 @item S_IWGRP
40999 Group has write permission.
41000
41001 @item S_IROTH
41002 Others have read permission.
41003
41004 @item S_IWOTH
41005 Others have write permission.
41006 @end table
41007
41008 @noindent
41009 Other bits are silently ignored.
41010
41011
41012 @item Return value:
41013 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
41014 occurred.
41015
41016 @item Errors:
41017
41018 @table @code
41019 @item EEXIST
41020 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
41021
41022 @item EISDIR
41023 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
41024
41025 @item EACCES
41026 The requested access is not allowed.
41027
41028 @item ENAMETOOLONG
41029 @var{pathname} was too long.
41030
41031 @item ENOENT
41032 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
41033
41034 @item ENODEV
41035 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
41036
41037 @item EROFS
41038 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
41039 write access was requested.
41040
41041 @item EFAULT
41042 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
41043
41044 @item ENOSPC
41045 No space on device to create the file.
41046
41047 @item EMFILE
41048 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
41049
41050 @item ENFILE
41051 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
41052 has been reached.
41053
41054 @item EINTR
41055 The call was interrupted by the user.
41056 @end table
41057
41058 @end table
41059
41060 @node close
41061 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
41062 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
41063
41064 @table @asis
41065 @item Synopsis:
41066 @smallexample
41067 int close(int fd);
41068 @end smallexample
41069
41070 @item Request:
41071 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
41072
41073 @item Return value:
41074 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
41075
41076 @item Errors:
41077
41078 @table @code
41079 @item EBADF
41080 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
41081
41082 @item EINTR
41083 The call was interrupted by the user.
41084 @end table
41085
41086 @end table
41087
41088 @node read
41089 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
41090 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
41091
41092 @table @asis
41093 @item Synopsis:
41094 @smallexample
41095 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
41096 @end smallexample
41097
41098 @item Request:
41099 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
41100
41101 @item Return value:
41102 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
41103 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
41104 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
41105
41106 @item Errors:
41107
41108 @table @code
41109 @item EBADF
41110 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
41111 reading.
41112
41113 @item EFAULT
41114 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
41115
41116 @item EINTR
41117 The call was interrupted by the user.
41118 @end table
41119
41120 @end table
41121
41122 @node write
41123 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
41124 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
41125
41126 @table @asis
41127 @item Synopsis:
41128 @smallexample
41129 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
41130 @end smallexample
41131
41132 @item Request:
41133 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
41134
41135 @item Return value:
41136 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
41137 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
41138 is returned.
41139
41140 @item Errors:
41141
41142 @table @code
41143 @item EBADF
41144 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
41145 writing.
41146
41147 @item EFAULT
41148 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
41149
41150 @item EFBIG
41151 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
41152 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
41153
41154 @item ENOSPC
41155 No space on device to write the data.
41156
41157 @item EINTR
41158 The call was interrupted by the user.
41159 @end table
41160
41161 @end table
41162
41163 @node lseek
41164 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
41165 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
41166
41167 @table @asis
41168 @item Synopsis:
41169 @smallexample
41170 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
41171 @end smallexample
41172
41173 @item Request:
41174 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
41175
41176 @var{flag} is one of:
41177
41178 @table @code
41179 @item SEEK_SET
41180 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
41181
41182 @item SEEK_CUR
41183 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
41184 bytes.
41185
41186 @item SEEK_END
41187 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
41188 bytes.
41189 @end table
41190
41191 @item Return value:
41192 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
41193 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
41194 value of -1 is returned.
41195
41196 @item Errors:
41197
41198 @table @code
41199 @item EBADF
41200 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
41201
41202 @item ESPIPE
41203 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
41204
41205 @item EINVAL
41206 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
41207
41208 @item EINTR
41209 The call was interrupted by the user.
41210 @end table
41211
41212 @end table
41213
41214 @node rename
41215 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
41216 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
41217
41218 @table @asis
41219 @item Synopsis:
41220 @smallexample
41221 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
41222 @end smallexample
41223
41224 @item Request:
41225 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
41226
41227 @item Return value:
41228 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
41229
41230 @item Errors:
41231
41232 @table @code
41233 @item EISDIR
41234 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
41235 directory.
41236
41237 @item EEXIST
41238 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
41239
41240 @item EBUSY
41241 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
41242 process.
41243
41244 @item EINVAL
41245 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
41246 of itself.
41247
41248 @item ENOTDIR
41249 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
41250 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
41251 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
41252
41253 @item EFAULT
41254 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
41255
41256 @item EACCES
41257 No access to the file or the path of the file.
41258
41259 @item ENAMETOOLONG
41260
41261 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
41262
41263 @item ENOENT
41264 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
41265
41266 @item EROFS
41267 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
41268
41269 @item ENOSPC
41270 The device containing the file has no room for the new
41271 directory entry.
41272
41273 @item EINTR
41274 The call was interrupted by the user.
41275 @end table
41276
41277 @end table
41278
41279 @node unlink
41280 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
41281 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
41282
41283 @table @asis
41284 @item Synopsis:
41285 @smallexample
41286 int unlink(const char *pathname);
41287 @end smallexample
41288
41289 @item Request:
41290 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
41291
41292 @item Return value:
41293 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
41294
41295 @item Errors:
41296
41297 @table @code
41298 @item EACCES
41299 No access to the file or the path of the file.
41300
41301 @item EPERM
41302 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
41303
41304 @item EBUSY
41305 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
41306 being used by another process.
41307
41308 @item EFAULT
41309 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
41310
41311 @item ENAMETOOLONG
41312 @var{pathname} was too long.
41313
41314 @item ENOENT
41315 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
41316
41317 @item ENOTDIR
41318 A component of the path is not a directory.
41319
41320 @item EROFS
41321 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
41322
41323 @item EINTR
41324 The call was interrupted by the user.
41325 @end table
41326
41327 @end table
41328
41329 @node stat/fstat
41330 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
41331 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
41332 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
41333
41334 @table @asis
41335 @item Synopsis:
41336 @smallexample
41337 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
41338 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
41339 @end smallexample
41340
41341 @item Request:
41342 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
41343 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
41344
41345 @item Return value:
41346 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
41347
41348 @item Errors:
41349
41350 @table @code
41351 @item EBADF
41352 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
41353
41354 @item ENOENT
41355 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
41356 path is an empty string.
41357
41358 @item ENOTDIR
41359 A component of the path is not a directory.
41360
41361 @item EFAULT
41362 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
41363
41364 @item EACCES
41365 No access to the file or the path of the file.
41366
41367 @item ENAMETOOLONG
41368 @var{pathname} was too long.
41369
41370 @item EINTR
41371 The call was interrupted by the user.
41372 @end table
41373
41374 @end table
41375
41376 @node gettimeofday
41377 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
41378 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
41379
41380 @table @asis
41381 @item Synopsis:
41382 @smallexample
41383 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
41384 @end smallexample
41385
41386 @item Request:
41387 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
41388
41389 @item Return value:
41390 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
41391
41392 @item Errors:
41393
41394 @table @code
41395 @item EINVAL
41396 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
41397
41398 @item EFAULT
41399 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
41400 @end table
41401
41402 @end table
41403
41404 @node isatty
41405 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
41406 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
41407
41408 @table @asis
41409 @item Synopsis:
41410 @smallexample
41411 int isatty(int fd);
41412 @end smallexample
41413
41414 @item Request:
41415 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
41416
41417 @item Return value:
41418 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
41419
41420 @item Errors:
41421
41422 @table @code
41423 @item EINTR
41424 The call was interrupted by the user.
41425 @end table
41426
41427 @end table
41428
41429 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
41430 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
41431 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
41432 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
41433 needed.
41434
41435
41436 @node system
41437 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
41438 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
41439
41440 @table @asis
41441 @item Synopsis:
41442 @smallexample
41443 int system(const char *command);
41444 @end smallexample
41445
41446 @item Request:
41447 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
41448
41449 @item Return value:
41450 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
41451 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
41452 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
41453 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
41454 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
41455 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
41456 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
41457
41458 @item Errors:
41459
41460 @table @code
41461 @item EINTR
41462 The call was interrupted by the user.
41463 @end table
41464
41465 @end table
41466
41467 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
41468 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
41469 the host is simplified before it's returned
41470 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
41471 is discarded, and the return value consists
41472 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
41473
41474 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
41475 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
41476 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
41477
41478 @table @code
41479 @item set remote system-call-allowed
41480 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
41481 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
41482 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
41483
41484 @item show remote system-call-allowed
41485 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
41486 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
41487 protocol.
41488 @end table
41489
41490 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
41491 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
41492 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
41493
41494 @menu
41495 * Integral Datatypes::
41496 * Pointer Values::
41497 * Memory Transfer::
41498 * struct stat::
41499 * struct timeval::
41500 @end menu
41501
41502 @node Integral Datatypes
41503 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
41504 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
41505
41506 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
41507 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
41508 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
41509
41510 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
41511 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
41512
41513 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
41514
41515 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
41516 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
41517
41518 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
41519
41520 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
41521 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
41522 byte order.
41523
41524 @node Pointer Values
41525 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
41526 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
41527
41528 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
41529 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
41530 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
41531 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
41532
41533 @smallexample
41534 @code{1aaf/12}
41535 @end smallexample
41536
41537 @noindent
41538 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
41539 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
41540 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
41541 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
41542
41543 @smallexample
41544 @code{123456/d}
41545 @end smallexample
41546
41547 @node Memory Transfer
41548 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
41549 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
41550
41551 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
41552 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
41553 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
41554 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
41555 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
41556 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
41557 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
41558
41559
41560 @node struct stat
41561 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
41562 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
41563
41564 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
41565 is defined as follows:
41566
41567 @smallexample
41568 struct stat @{
41569 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
41570 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
41571 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
41572 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
41573 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
41574 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
41575 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
41576 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
41577 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
41578 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
41579 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
41580 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
41581 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
41582 @};
41583 @end smallexample
41584
41585 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
41586 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
41587 structure is of size 64 bytes.
41588
41589 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
41590 range of values.
41591
41592 @table @code
41593
41594 @item st_dev
41595 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
41596
41597 @item st_ino
41598 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
41599
41600 @item st_mode
41601 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
41602 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
41603
41604 @item st_uid
41605 @itemx st_gid
41606 @itemx st_rdev
41607 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
41608
41609 @item st_atime
41610 @itemx st_mtime
41611 @itemx st_ctime
41612 These values have a host and file system dependent
41613 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
41614 support exact timing values.
41615 @end table
41616
41617 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
41618 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
41619 continuing.
41620
41621 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
41622 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
41623 get truncated on the target.
41624
41625 @node struct timeval
41626 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
41627 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
41628
41629 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
41630 is defined as follows:
41631
41632 @smallexample
41633 struct timeval @{
41634 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
41635 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
41636 @};
41637 @end smallexample
41638
41639 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
41640 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
41641 structure is of size 8 bytes.
41642
41643 @node Constants
41644 @subsection Constants
41645 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
41646
41647 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
41648 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
41649 values before and after the call as needed.
41650
41651 @menu
41652 * Open Flags::
41653 * mode_t Values::
41654 * Errno Values::
41655 * Lseek Flags::
41656 * Limits::
41657 @end menu
41658
41659 @node Open Flags
41660 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
41661 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
41662
41663 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
41664
41665 @smallexample
41666 O_RDONLY 0x0
41667 O_WRONLY 0x1
41668 O_RDWR 0x2
41669 O_APPEND 0x8
41670 O_CREAT 0x200
41671 O_TRUNC 0x400
41672 O_EXCL 0x800
41673 @end smallexample
41674
41675 @node mode_t Values
41676 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
41677 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
41678
41679 All values are given in octal representation.
41680
41681 @smallexample
41682 S_IFREG 0100000
41683 S_IFDIR 040000
41684 S_IRUSR 0400
41685 S_IWUSR 0200
41686 S_IXUSR 0100
41687 S_IRGRP 040
41688 S_IWGRP 020
41689 S_IXGRP 010
41690 S_IROTH 04
41691 S_IWOTH 02
41692 S_IXOTH 01
41693 @end smallexample
41694
41695 @node Errno Values
41696 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
41697 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
41698
41699 All values are given in decimal representation.
41700
41701 @smallexample
41702 EPERM 1
41703 ENOENT 2
41704 EINTR 4
41705 EBADF 9
41706 EACCES 13
41707 EFAULT 14
41708 EBUSY 16
41709 EEXIST 17
41710 ENODEV 19
41711 ENOTDIR 20
41712 EISDIR 21
41713 EINVAL 22
41714 ENFILE 23
41715 EMFILE 24
41716 EFBIG 27
41717 ENOSPC 28
41718 ESPIPE 29
41719 EROFS 30
41720 ENAMETOOLONG 91
41721 EUNKNOWN 9999
41722 @end smallexample
41723
41724 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
41725 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
41726
41727 @node Lseek Flags
41728 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
41729 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
41730
41731 @smallexample
41732 SEEK_SET 0
41733 SEEK_CUR 1
41734 SEEK_END 2
41735 @end smallexample
41736
41737 @node Limits
41738 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
41739 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
41740
41741 All values are given in decimal representation.
41742
41743 @smallexample
41744 INT_MIN -2147483648
41745 INT_MAX 2147483647
41746 UINT_MAX 4294967295
41747 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
41748 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
41749 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
41750 @end smallexample
41751
41752 @node File-I/O Examples
41753 @subsection File-I/O Examples
41754 @cindex file-i/o examples
41755
41756 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
41757 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
41758
41759 @smallexample
41760 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
41761 @emph{request memory read from target}
41762 -> @code{m1234,6}
41763 <- XXXXXX
41764 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
41765 -> @code{F6}
41766 @end smallexample
41767
41768 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
41769 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
41770
41771 @smallexample
41772 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41773 @emph{request memory write to target}
41774 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
41775 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
41776 -> @code{F6}
41777 @end smallexample
41778
41779 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
41780 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
41781
41782 @smallexample
41783 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41784 -> @code{F-1,9}
41785 @end smallexample
41786
41787 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
41788 host is called:
41789
41790 @smallexample
41791 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41792 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
41793 <- @code{T02}
41794 @end smallexample
41795
41796 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
41797 host is called:
41798
41799 @smallexample
41800 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41801 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
41802 <- @code{T02}
41803 @end smallexample
41804
41805 @node Library List Format
41806 @section Library List Format
41807 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
41808
41809 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
41810 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
41811 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
41812 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
41813 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
41814 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
41815 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
41816 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
41817 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
41818 are loaded.
41819
41820 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
41821 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
41822 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
41823 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
41824
41825 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
41826 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
41827 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
41828 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
41829 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
41830 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
41831
41832 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41833 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
41834
41835 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
41836 offset, looks like this:
41837
41838 @smallexample
41839 <library-list>
41840 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
41841 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
41842 </library>
41843 </library-list>
41844 @end smallexample
41845
41846 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
41847 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
41848
41849 @smallexample
41850 <library-list>
41851 <library name="sharedlib.o">
41852 <section address="0x10000000"/>
41853 <section address="0x20000000"/>
41854 <section address="0x30000000"/>
41855 </library>
41856 </library-list>
41857 @end smallexample
41858
41859 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
41860
41861 @smallexample
41862 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
41863 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
41864 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41865 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
41866 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
41867 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
41868 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
41869 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
41870 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
41871 @end smallexample
41872
41873 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
41874 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
41875 section for each library.
41876
41877 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
41878 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
41879 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
41880
41881 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
41882 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
41883 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
41884 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
41885
41886 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
41887 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
41888 target, the following parameters are reported:
41889
41890 @itemize @minus
41891 @item
41892 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
41893 @code{struct link_map}.
41894 @item
41895 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
41896 (Thread Local Storage) access.
41897 @item
41898 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
41899 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
41900 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
41901 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
41902 @item
41903 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
41904 @end itemize
41905
41906 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
41907 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
41908 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
41909
41910 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41911 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
41912
41913 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
41914 looks like this:
41915
41916 @smallexample
41917 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
41918 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
41919 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
41920 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
41921 l_ld="0x152350"/>
41922 </library-list-svr>
41923 @end smallexample
41924
41925 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
41926
41927 @smallexample
41928 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
41929 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
41930 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41931 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
41932 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
41933 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
41934 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
41935 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
41936 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
41937 @end smallexample
41938
41939 @node Memory Map Format
41940 @section Memory Map Format
41941 @cindex memory map format
41942
41943 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
41944 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
41945 memory map.
41946
41947 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
41948 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
41949 lists memory regions.
41950
41951 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41952 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
41953
41954 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
41955
41956 @smallexample
41957 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41958 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
41959 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
41960 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
41961 <memory-map>
41962 region...
41963 </memory-map>
41964 @end smallexample
41965
41966 Each region can be either:
41967
41968 @itemize
41969
41970 @item
41971 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
41972 bytes from there:
41973
41974 @smallexample
41975 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41976 @end smallexample
41977
41978
41979 @item
41980 A region of read-only memory:
41981
41982 @smallexample
41983 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41984 @end smallexample
41985
41986
41987 @item
41988 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
41989 bytes in length:
41990
41991 @smallexample
41992 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
41993 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
41994 </memory>
41995 @end smallexample
41996
41997 @end itemize
41998
41999 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
42000 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
42001 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
42002
42003 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
42004
42005 @smallexample
42006 <!-- ................................................... -->
42007 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
42008 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
42009 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
42010 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
42011 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
42012 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
42013 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
42014 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
42015 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
42016 and its type, or device. -->
42017 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
42018 start CDATA #REQUIRED
42019 length CDATA #REQUIRED
42020 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
42021 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
42022 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
42023 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
42024 @end smallexample
42025
42026 @node Thread List Format
42027 @section Thread List Format
42028 @cindex thread list format
42029
42030 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
42031 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
42032 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
42033 the following structure:
42034
42035 @smallexample
42036 <?xml version="1.0"?>
42037 <threads>
42038 <thread id="id" core="0">
42039 ... description ...
42040 </thread>
42041 </threads>
42042 @end smallexample
42043
42044 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
42045 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
42046 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
42047 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
42048 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
42049
42050 @node Traceframe Info Format
42051 @section Traceframe Info Format
42052 @cindex traceframe info format
42053
42054 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
42055 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
42056 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
42057 collected in a traceframe.
42058
42059 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
42060 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
42061
42062 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
42063 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
42064
42065 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
42066
42067 @smallexample
42068 <?xml version="1.0"?>
42069 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
42070 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
42071 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
42072 <traceframe-info>
42073 block...
42074 </traceframe-info>
42075 @end smallexample
42076
42077 Each traceframe block can be either:
42078
42079 @itemize
42080
42081 @item
42082 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
42083 @var{length} bytes from there:
42084
42085 @smallexample
42086 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
42087 @end smallexample
42088
42089 @item
42090 A block indicating trace state variable numbered @var{number} has been
42091 collected:
42092
42093 @smallexample
42094 <tvar id="@var{number}"/>
42095 @end smallexample
42096
42097 @end itemize
42098
42099 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
42100
42101 @smallexample
42102 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory | tvar)* >
42103 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
42104
42105 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
42106 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
42107 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
42108 <!ELEMENT tvar>
42109 <!ATTLIST tvar id CDATA #REQUIRED>
42110 @end smallexample
42111
42112 @node Branch Trace Format
42113 @section Branch Trace Format
42114 @cindex branch trace format
42115
42116 In order to display the branch trace of an inferior thread,
42117 @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of branches. This list is
42118 represented as list of sequential code blocks that are connected via
42119 branches. The code in each block has been executed sequentially.
42120
42121 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
42122 (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}) packet and is an XML document.
42123
42124 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
42125 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
42126
42127 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
42128
42129 @smallexample
42130 <?xml version="1.0"?>
42131 <!DOCTYPE btrace
42132 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Branch Trace V1.0//EN"
42133 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-btrace.dtd">
42134 <btrace>
42135 block...
42136 </btrace>
42137 @end smallexample
42138
42139 @itemize
42140
42141 @item
42142 A block of sequentially executed instructions starting at @var{begin}
42143 and ending at @var{end}:
42144
42145 @smallexample
42146 <block begin="@var{begin}" end="@var{end}"/>
42147 @end smallexample
42148
42149 @end itemize
42150
42151 The formal DTD for the branch trace format is given below:
42152
42153 @smallexample
42154 <!ELEMENT btrace (block)* >
42155 <!ATTLIST btrace version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
42156
42157 <!ELEMENT block EMPTY>
42158 <!ATTLIST block begin CDATA #REQUIRED
42159 end CDATA #REQUIRED>
42160 @end smallexample
42161
42162 @include agentexpr.texi
42163
42164 @node Target Descriptions
42165 @appendix Target Descriptions
42166 @cindex target descriptions
42167
42168 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
42169 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
42170 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
42171 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
42172 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
42173 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
42174 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
42175
42176 @itemize @bullet
42177 @item
42178 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
42179 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
42180 @item
42181 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
42182 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
42183 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
42184 @item
42185 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
42186 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
42187 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
42188 @end itemize
42189
42190 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
42191 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
42192 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
42193 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
42194 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
42195
42196 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
42197 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
42198
42199 @menu
42200 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
42201 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
42202 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
42203 descriptions.
42204 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
42205 @end menu
42206
42207 @node Retrieving Descriptions
42208 @section Retrieving Descriptions
42209
42210 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
42211 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
42212 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
42213 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
42214 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
42215 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
42216 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
42217 Format}.
42218
42219 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
42220 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
42221 specify a file are:
42222
42223 @table @code
42224 @cindex set tdesc filename
42225 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
42226 Read the target description from @var{path}.
42227
42228 @cindex unset tdesc filename
42229 @item unset tdesc filename
42230 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
42231 will use the description supplied by the current target.
42232
42233 @cindex show tdesc filename
42234 @item show tdesc filename
42235 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
42236 @end table
42237
42238
42239 @node Target Description Format
42240 @section Target Description Format
42241 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
42242
42243 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
42244 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
42245 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
42246 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
42247 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
42248 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
42249 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
42250
42251 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
42252 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
42253 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
42254 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
42255 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
42256
42257 Here is a simple target description:
42258
42259 @smallexample
42260 <target version="1.0">
42261 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
42262 </target>
42263 @end smallexample
42264
42265 @noindent
42266 This minimal description only says that the target uses
42267 the x86-64 architecture.
42268
42269 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
42270 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
42271 are explained further below.
42272
42273 @smallexample
42274 <?xml version="1.0"?>
42275 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
42276 <target version="1.0">
42277 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
42278 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
42279 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
42280 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
42281 </target>
42282 @end smallexample
42283
42284 @noindent
42285 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
42286 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
42287 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
42288 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
42289 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
42290 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
42291 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
42292 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
42293 the version mismatch.
42294
42295 @subsection Inclusion
42296 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
42297 @cindex XInclude
42298 @ifnotinfo
42299 @cindex <xi:include>
42300 @end ifnotinfo
42301
42302 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
42303 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
42304 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
42305 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
42306 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
42307
42308 @smallexample
42309 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
42310 @end smallexample
42311
42312 @noindent
42313 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
42314 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
42315 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
42316 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
42317 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
42318 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
42319 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
42320 original description.
42321
42322 @subsection Architecture
42323 @cindex <architecture>
42324
42325 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
42326
42327 @smallexample
42328 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
42329 @end smallexample
42330
42331 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
42332 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
42333
42334 @subsection OS ABI
42335 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
42336
42337 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
42338 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
42339
42340 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
42341
42342 @smallexample
42343 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
42344 @end smallexample
42345
42346 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
42347 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
42348
42349 @subsection Compatible Architecture
42350 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
42351
42352 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
42353 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
42354
42355 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
42356
42357 @smallexample
42358 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
42359 @end smallexample
42360
42361 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
42362 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
42363
42364 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
42365 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
42366 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
42367 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
42368 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
42369 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
42370 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
42371
42372 @smallexample
42373 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
42374 <compatible>spu</compatible>
42375 @end smallexample
42376
42377 @subsection Features
42378 @cindex <feature>
42379
42380 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
42381 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
42382 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
42383 has this form:
42384
42385 @smallexample
42386 <feature name="@var{name}">
42387 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
42388 @var{reg}@dots{}
42389 </feature>
42390 @end smallexample
42391
42392 @noindent
42393 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
42394 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
42395 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
42396 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
42397
42398 @subsection Types
42399
42400 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
42401 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
42402 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
42403 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
42404 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
42405
42406 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
42407 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
42408 Types must be defined before they are used.
42409
42410 @cindex <vector>
42411 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
42412 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
42413 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
42414 @var{count}:
42415
42416 @smallexample
42417 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
42418 @end smallexample
42419
42420 @cindex <union>
42421 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
42422 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
42423 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
42424 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
42425
42426 @smallexample
42427 <union id="@var{id}">
42428 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
42429 @dots{}
42430 </union>
42431 @end smallexample
42432
42433 @cindex <struct>
42434 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
42435 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
42436 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
42437 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
42438 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
42439 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
42440 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
42441 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
42442
42443 @smallexample
42444 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
42445 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
42446 @dots{}
42447 </struct>
42448 @end smallexample
42449
42450 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
42451 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
42452
42453 @smallexample
42454 <struct id="@var{id}">
42455 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
42456 @dots{}
42457 </struct>
42458 @end smallexample
42459
42460 @cindex <flags>
42461 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
42462 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
42463 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
42464 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
42465 are supported.
42466
42467 @smallexample
42468 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
42469 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
42470 @dots{}
42471 </flags>
42472 @end smallexample
42473
42474 @subsection Registers
42475 @cindex <reg>
42476
42477 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
42478
42479 @smallexample
42480 <reg name="@var{name}"
42481 bitsize="@var{size}"
42482 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
42483 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
42484 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
42485 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
42486 @end smallexample
42487
42488 @noindent
42489 The components are as follows:
42490
42491 @table @var
42492
42493 @item name
42494 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
42495
42496 @item bitsize
42497 The register's size, in bits.
42498
42499 @item regnum
42500 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
42501 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
42502 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
42503 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
42504 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
42505 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
42506 in order of increasing register number.
42507
42508 @item save-restore
42509 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
42510 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
42511 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
42512 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
42513 ABI.
42514
42515 @item type
42516 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
42517 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
42518 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
42519 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
42520 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
42521 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
42522
42523 @item group
42524 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
42525 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
42526 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
42527 in @code{info registers}.
42528
42529 @end table
42530
42531 @node Predefined Target Types
42532 @section Predefined Target Types
42533 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
42534
42535 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
42536 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
42537 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
42538 types. The currently supported types are:
42539
42540 @table @code
42541
42542 @item int8
42543 @itemx int16
42544 @itemx int32
42545 @itemx int64
42546 @itemx int128
42547 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
42548
42549 @item uint8
42550 @itemx uint16
42551 @itemx uint32
42552 @itemx uint64
42553 @itemx uint128
42554 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
42555
42556 @item code_ptr
42557 @itemx data_ptr
42558 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
42559 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
42560 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
42561 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
42562 may be marked as data pointers.
42563
42564 @item ieee_single
42565 Single precision IEEE floating point.
42566
42567 @item ieee_double
42568 Double precision IEEE floating point.
42569
42570 @item arm_fpa_ext
42571 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
42572
42573 @item i387_ext
42574 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
42575
42576 @item i386_eflags
42577 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
42578
42579 @item i386_mxcsr
42580 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
42581
42582 @end table
42583
42584 @node Standard Target Features
42585 @section Standard Target Features
42586 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
42587
42588 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
42589 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
42590 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
42591 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
42592 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
42593 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
42594 can recognize them.
42595
42596 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
42597 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
42598 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
42599 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
42600 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
42601 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
42602 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
42603 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
42604
42605 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
42606 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
42607 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
42608
42609 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
42610 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
42611 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
42612 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
42613
42614 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
42615 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
42616 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
42617
42618 @menu
42619 * AArch64 Features::
42620 * ARM Features::
42621 * i386 Features::
42622 * MIPS Features::
42623 * M68K Features::
42624 * Nios II Features::
42625 * PowerPC Features::
42626 * S/390 and System z Features::
42627 * TIC6x Features::
42628 @end menu
42629
42630
42631 @node AArch64 Features
42632 @subsection AArch64 Features
42633 @cindex target descriptions, AArch64 features
42634
42635 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.core} feature is required for AArch64
42636 targets. It should contain registers @samp{x0} through @samp{x30},
42637 @samp{sp}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
42638
42639 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
42640 it should contain registers @samp{v0} through @samp{v31}, @samp{fpsr},
42641 and @samp{fpcr}.
42642
42643 @node ARM Features
42644 @subsection ARM Features
42645 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
42646
42647 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
42648 ARM targets.
42649 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
42650 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
42651
42652 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
42653 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
42654 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
42655 and @samp{xpsr}.
42656
42657 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
42658 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
42659
42660 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
42661 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
42662 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
42663 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
42664
42665 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
42666 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
42667 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
42668 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
42669 halves of the double-precision registers.
42670
42671 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
42672 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
42673 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
42674 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
42675 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
42676 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
42677
42678 @node i386 Features
42679 @subsection i386 Features
42680 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
42681
42682 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
42683 targets. It should describe the following registers:
42684
42685 @itemize @minus
42686 @item
42687 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
42688 @item
42689 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
42690 @item
42691 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
42692 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
42693 @item
42694 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
42695 @item
42696 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
42697 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
42698 @end itemize
42699
42700 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
42701
42702 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
42703 describe registers:
42704
42705 @itemize @minus
42706 @item
42707 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
42708 @item
42709 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
42710 @item
42711 @samp{mxcsr}
42712 @end itemize
42713
42714 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
42715 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
42716 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
42717
42718 @itemize @minus
42719 @item
42720 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
42721 @item
42722 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
42723 @end itemize
42724
42725 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
42726 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
42727
42728 @node MIPS Features
42729 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
42730 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
42731
42732 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
42733 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
42734 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
42735 on the target.
42736
42737 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
42738 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
42739 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42740
42741 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
42742 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
42743 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
42744 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42745
42746 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
42747 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
42748 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
42749 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42750
42751 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
42752 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
42753 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
42754
42755 @node M68K Features
42756 @subsection M68K Features
42757 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
42758
42759 @table @code
42760 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
42761 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
42762 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
42763 One of those features must be always present.
42764 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
42765 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
42766 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
42767 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
42768
42769 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
42770 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
42771 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
42772 @samp{fpiaddr}.
42773 @end table
42774
42775 @node Nios II Features
42776 @subsection Nios II Features
42777 @cindex target descriptions, Nios II features
42778
42779 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nios2.cpu} feature is required for Nios II
42780 targets. It should contain the 32 core registers (@samp{zero},
42781 @samp{at}, @samp{r2} through @samp{r23}, @samp{et} through @samp{ra}),
42782 @samp{pc}, and the 16 control registers (@samp{status} through
42783 @samp{mpuacc}).
42784
42785 @node PowerPC Features
42786 @subsection PowerPC Features
42787 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
42788
42789 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
42790 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
42791 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
42792 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42793
42794 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
42795 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
42796
42797 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
42798 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
42799 and @samp{vrsave}.
42800
42801 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
42802 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
42803 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
42804 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
42805 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
42806 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
42807
42808 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
42809 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
42810 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
42811 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
42812 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
42813 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
42814 user.
42815
42816 @node S/390 and System z Features
42817 @subsection S/390 and System z Features
42818 @cindex target descriptions, S/390 features
42819 @cindex target descriptions, System z features
42820
42821 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.core} feature is required for S/390 and
42822 System z targets. It should contain the PSW and the 16 general
42823 registers. In particular, System z targets should provide the 64-bit
42824 registers @samp{pswm}, @samp{pswa}, and @samp{r0} through @samp{r15}.
42825 S/390 targets should provide the 32-bit versions of these registers.
42826 A System z target that runs in 31-bit addressing mode should provide
42827 32-bit versions of @samp{pswm} and @samp{pswa}, as well as the general
42828 register's upper halves @samp{r0h} through @samp{r15h}, and their
42829 lower halves @samp{r0l} through @samp{r15l}.
42830
42831 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.fpr} feature is required. It should
42832 contain the 64-bit registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f15}, and
42833 @samp{fpc}.
42834
42835 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.acr} feature is required. It should
42836 contain the 32-bit registers @samp{acr0} through @samp{acr15}.
42837
42838 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.linux} feature is optional. It should
42839 contain the register @samp{orig_r2}, which is 64-bit wide on System z
42840 targets and 32-bit otherwise. In addition, the feature may contain
42841 the @samp{last_break} register, whose width depends on the addressing
42842 mode, as well as the @samp{system_call} register, which is always
42843 32-bit wide.
42844
42845 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.tdb} feature is optional. It should
42846 contain the 64-bit registers @samp{tdb0}, @samp{tac}, @samp{tct},
42847 @samp{atia}, and @samp{tr0} through @samp{tr15}.
42848
42849 @node TIC6x Features
42850 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
42851 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
42852 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
42853 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
42854 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
42855 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
42856
42857 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
42858 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
42859 through @samp{B31}.
42860
42861 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
42862 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
42863
42864 @node Operating System Information
42865 @appendix Operating System Information
42866 @cindex operating system information
42867
42868 @menu
42869 * Process list::
42870 @end menu
42871
42872 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
42873 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
42874 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
42875 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
42876 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
42877 on a different aspect of target.
42878
42879 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
42880 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
42881 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
42882 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
42883
42884 @node Process list
42885 @appendixsection Process list
42886 @cindex operating system information, process list
42887
42888 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
42889 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
42890 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
42891 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
42892
42893 An example document is:
42894
42895 @smallexample
42896 <?xml version="1.0"?>
42897 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
42898 <osdata type="processes">
42899 <item>
42900 <column name="pid">1</column>
42901 <column name="user">root</column>
42902 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
42903 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
42904 </item>
42905 </osdata>
42906 @end smallexample
42907
42908 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
42909 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
42910 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
42911 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
42912 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
42913 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
42914 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
42915
42916 @node Trace File Format
42917 @appendix Trace File Format
42918 @cindex trace file format
42919
42920 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
42921 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
42922
42923 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
42924 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
42925 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
42926 in the future.
42927
42928 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
42929 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
42930 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
42931 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
42932 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
42933 of this section.
42934
42935 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
42936
42937 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
42938 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
42939 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
42940 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
42941 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
42942 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
42943 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
42944 endianness.
42945
42946 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
42947
42948 @table @code
42949 @item R @var{bytes}
42950 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
42951 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
42952 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
42953 hexadecimal encoding.
42954
42955 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
42956 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
42957 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
42958 @var{length} bytes.
42959
42960 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
42961 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
42962 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
42963
42964 @end table
42965
42966 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
42967 of blocks.
42968
42969 @node Index Section Format
42970 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
42971 @cindex .gdb_index section format
42972 @cindex index section format
42973
42974 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
42975 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
42976 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
42977 description.
42978
42979 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
42980 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
42981 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
42982 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
42983 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
42984 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
42985
42986 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
42987
42988 @enumerate
42989 @item
42990 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
42991 unless otherwise noted:
42992
42993 @enumerate
42994 @item
42995 The version number, currently 8. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
42996 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
42997 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
42998 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
42999 symbol table. Version 8 specifies that symbols from DWARF type units
43000 (@samp{DW_TAG_type_unit}) refer to the type unit's symbol table and not the
43001 compilation unit (@samp{DW_TAG_comp_unit}) using the type.
43002
43003 @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
43004 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
43005 GDB has a workaround for potentially broken version 7 indices so it is
43006 currently not flagged as deprecated.
43007
43008 @item
43009 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
43010
43011 @item
43012 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
43013 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
43014 to the next offset.
43015
43016 @item
43017 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
43018
43019 @item
43020 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
43021
43022 @item
43023 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
43024 @end enumerate
43025
43026 @item
43027 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
43028 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
43029 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
43030 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
43031 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
43032 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
43033 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
43034 CU indices.
43035
43036 @item
43037 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
43038 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
43039 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
43040 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
43041
43042 @item
43043 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
43044 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
43045
43046 @enumerate
43047 @item
43048 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
43049
43050 @item
43051 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
43052 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
43053
43054 @item
43055 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
43056 @end enumerate
43057
43058 @item
43059 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
43060 the hash table is always a power of 2.
43061
43062 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
43063 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
43064 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
43065 constant pool.
43066
43067 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
43068 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
43069 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
43070
43071 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
43072 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
43073 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
43074 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
43075 index version:
43076
43077 @table @asis
43078 @item Version 4
43079 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
43080
43081 @item Versions 5 to 7
43082 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
43083 @end table
43084
43085 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
43086
43087 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
43088 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
43089 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
43090 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
43091 collision.
43092
43093 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
43094 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
43095 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
43096 the code.
43097
43098 @item
43099 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
43100 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
43101 strings.
43102
43103 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
43104 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
43105 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
43106 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
43107 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
43108 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
43109
43110 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
43111 @end enumerate
43112
43113 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
43114 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
43115 CU index+attributes value for each use.
43116
43117 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
43118 (bit 0 = LSB):
43119
43120 @table @asis
43121
43122 @item Bits 0-23
43123 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
43124 @item Bits 24-27
43125 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
43126 @item Bits 28-30
43127 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
43128
43129 @table @asis
43130 @item 0
43131 This value is reserved and should not be used.
43132 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
43133 with previous versions of the index.
43134 @item 1
43135 The symbol is a type.
43136 @item 2
43137 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
43138 @item 3
43139 The symbol is a function.
43140 @item 4
43141 Any other kind of symbol.
43142 @item 5,6,7
43143 These values are reserved.
43144 @end table
43145
43146 @item Bit 31
43147 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
43148
43149 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
43150 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
43151 @value{GDBN} sources.
43152
43153 @end table
43154
43155 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
43156 global/static attributes in the index.
43157
43158 @smallexample
43159 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
43160 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
43161 switch (die->tag)
43162 @{
43163 case DW_TAG_typedef:
43164 case DW_TAG_base_type:
43165 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
43166 kind = TYPE;
43167 is_static = 1;
43168 break;
43169 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
43170 kind = VARIABLE;
43171 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
43172 break;
43173 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
43174 kind = FUNCTION;
43175 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
43176 break;
43177 case DW_TAG_constant:
43178 kind = VARIABLE;
43179 is_static = ! is_external;
43180 break;
43181 case DW_TAG_variable:
43182 kind = VARIABLE;
43183 is_static = ! is_external;
43184 break;
43185 case DW_TAG_namespace:
43186 kind = TYPE;
43187 is_static = 0;
43188 break;
43189 case DW_TAG_class_type:
43190 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
43191 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
43192 case DW_TAG_union_type:
43193 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
43194 kind = TYPE;
43195 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
43196 break;
43197 default:
43198 assert (0);
43199 @}
43200 @end smallexample
43201
43202 @node Man Pages
43203 @appendix Manual pages
43204 @cindex Man pages
43205
43206 @menu
43207 * gdb man:: The GNU Debugger man page
43208 * gdbserver man:: Remote Server for the GNU Debugger man page
43209 * gcore man:: Generate a core file of a running program
43210 * gdbinit man:: gdbinit scripts
43211 @end menu
43212
43213 @node gdb man
43214 @heading gdb man
43215
43216 @c man title gdb The GNU Debugger
43217
43218 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb
43219 gdb [@option{-help}] [@option{-nh}] [@option{-nx}] [@option{-q}]
43220 [@option{-batch}] [@option{-cd=}@var{dir}] [@option{-f}]
43221 [@option{-b}@w{ }@var{bps}]
43222 [@option{-tty=}@var{dev}] [@option{-s} @var{symfile}]
43223 [@option{-e}@w{ }@var{prog}] [@option{-se}@w{ }@var{prog}]
43224 [@option{-c}@w{ }@var{core}] [@option{-p}@w{ }@var{procID}]
43225 [@option{-x}@w{ }@var{cmds}] [@option{-d}@w{ }@var{dir}]
43226 [@var{prog}|@var{prog} @var{procID}|@var{prog} @var{core}]
43227 @c man end
43228
43229 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb
43230 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
43231 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes -- or what another
43232 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
43233
43234 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
43235 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
43236
43237 @itemize @bullet
43238 @item
43239 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
43240
43241 @item
43242 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
43243
43244 @item
43245 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
43246
43247 @item
43248 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
43249 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
43250 @end itemize
43251
43252 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C, C@t{++}, Fortran and
43253 Modula-2.
43254
43255 @value{GDBN} is invoked with the shell command @code{gdb}. Once started, it reads
43256 commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit with the @value{GDBN}
43257 command @code{quit}. You can get online help from @value{GDBN} itself
43258 by using the command @code{help}.
43259
43260 You can run @code{gdb} with no arguments or options; but the most
43261 usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument or two, specifying an
43262 executable program as the argument:
43263
43264 @smallexample
43265 gdb program
43266 @end smallexample
43267
43268 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file specified:
43269
43270 @smallexample
43271 gdb program core
43272 @end smallexample
43273
43274 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
43275 to debug a running process:
43276
43277 @smallexample
43278 gdb program 1234
43279 gdb -p 1234
43280 @end smallexample
43281
43282 @noindent
43283 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
43284 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
43285 With option @option{-p} you can omit the @var{program} filename.
43286
43287 Here are some of the most frequently needed @value{GDBN} commands:
43288
43289 @c pod2man highlights the right hand side of the @item lines.
43290 @table @env
43291 @item break [@var{file}:]@var{functiop}
43292 Set a breakpoint at @var{function} (in @var{file}).
43293
43294 @item run [@var{arglist}]
43295 Start your program (with @var{arglist}, if specified).
43296
43297 @item bt
43298 Backtrace: display the program stack.
43299
43300 @item print @var{expr}
43301 Display the value of an expression.
43302
43303 @item c
43304 Continue running your program (after stopping, e.g. at a breakpoint).
43305
43306 @item next
43307 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{over} any
43308 function calls in the line.
43309
43310 @item edit [@var{file}:]@var{function}
43311 look at the program line where it is presently stopped.
43312
43313 @item list [@var{file}:]@var{function}
43314 type the text of the program in the vicinity of where it is presently stopped.
43315
43316 @item step
43317 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{into} any
43318 function calls in the line.
43319
43320 @item help [@var{name}]
43321 Show information about @value{GDBN} command @var{name}, or general information
43322 about using @value{GDBN}.
43323
43324 @item quit
43325 Exit from @value{GDBN}.
43326 @end table
43327
43328 @ifset man
43329 For full details on @value{GDBN},
43330 see @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43331 by Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch. The same text is available online
43332 as the @code{gdb} entry in the @code{info} program.
43333 @end ifset
43334 @c man end
43335
43336 @c man begin OPTIONS gdb
43337 Any arguments other than options specify an executable
43338 file and core file (or process ID); that is, the first argument
43339 encountered with no
43340 associated option flag is equivalent to a @option{-se} option, and the second,
43341 if any, is equivalent to a @option{-c} option if it's the name of a file.
43342 Many options have
43343 both long and short forms; both are shown here. The long forms are also
43344 recognized if you truncate them, so long as enough of the option is
43345 present to be unambiguous. (If you prefer, you can flag option
43346 arguments with @option{+} rather than @option{-}, though we illustrate the
43347 more usual convention.)
43348
43349 All the options and command line arguments you give are processed
43350 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the @option{-x}
43351 option is used.
43352
43353 @table @env
43354 @item -help
43355 @itemx -h
43356 List all options, with brief explanations.
43357
43358 @item -symbols=@var{file}
43359 @itemx -s @var{file}
43360 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
43361
43362 @item -write
43363 Enable writing into executable and core files.
43364
43365 @item -exec=@var{file}
43366 @itemx -e @var{file}
43367 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
43368 appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
43369 dump.
43370
43371 @item -se=@var{file}
43372 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
43373 file.
43374
43375 @item -core=@var{file}
43376 @itemx -c @var{file}
43377 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
43378
43379 @item -command=@var{file}
43380 @itemx -x @var{file}
43381 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}.
43382
43383 @item -ex @var{command}
43384 Execute given @value{GDBN} @var{command}.
43385
43386 @item -directory=@var{directory}
43387 @itemx -d @var{directory}
43388 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
43389
43390 @item -nh
43391 Do not execute commands from @file{~/.gdbinit}.
43392
43393 @item -nx
43394 @itemx -n
43395 Do not execute commands from any @file{.gdbinit} initialization files.
43396
43397 @item -quiet
43398 @itemx -q
43399 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
43400 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
43401
43402 @item -batch
43403 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
43404 files specified with @option{-x} (and @file{.gdbinit}, if not inhibited).
43405 Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN}
43406 commands in the command files.
43407
43408 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
43409 download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
43410 more useful, the message
43411
43412 @smallexample
43413 Program exited normally.
43414 @end smallexample
43415
43416 @noindent
43417 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
43418 terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
43419
43420 @item -cd=@var{directory}
43421 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
43422 instead of the current directory.
43423
43424 @item -fullname
43425 @itemx -f
43426 Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells
43427 @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
43428 recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
43429 includes each time the program stops). This recognizable format looks
43430 like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
43431 and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
43432 Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032}
43433 characters as a signal to display the source code for the frame.
43434
43435 @item -b @var{bps}
43436 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
43437 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
43438
43439 @item -tty=@var{device}
43440 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
43441 @end table
43442 @c man end
43443
43444 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb
43445 @ifset man
43446 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43447 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43448 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43449
43450 @smallexample
43451 info gdb
43452 @end smallexample
43453
43454 @noindent
43455 should give you access to the complete manual.
43456
43457 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43458 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43459 @end ifset
43460 @c man end
43461
43462 @node gdbserver man
43463 @heading gdbserver man
43464
43465 @c man title gdbserver Remote Server for the GNU Debugger
43466 @format
43467 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbserver
43468 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
43469
43470 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43471
43472 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43473 @c man end
43474 @end format
43475
43476 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbserver
43477 @command{gdbserver} is a program that allows you to run @value{GDBN} on a different machine
43478 than the one which is running the program being debugged.
43479
43480 @ifclear man
43481 @subheading Usage (server (target) side)
43482 @end ifclear
43483 @ifset man
43484 Usage (server (target) side):
43485 @end ifset
43486
43487 First, you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug put onto
43488 the target system. The program can be stripped to save space if needed, as
43489 @command{gdbserver} doesn't care about symbols. All symbol handling is taken care of by
43490 the @value{GDBN} running on the host system.
43491
43492 To use the server, you log on to the target system, and run the @command{gdbserver}
43493 program. You must tell it (a) how to communicate with @value{GDBN}, (b) the name of
43494 your program, and (c) its arguments. The general syntax is:
43495
43496 @smallexample
43497 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [@var{args} ...]
43498 @end smallexample
43499
43500 For example, using a serial port, you might say:
43501
43502 @smallexample
43503 @ifset man
43504 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/com1>.
43505 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
43506 @end ifset
43507 @ifclear man
43508 target> gdbserver @file{/dev/com1} emacs foo.txt
43509 @end ifclear
43510 @end smallexample
43511
43512 This tells @command{gdbserver} to debug emacs with an argument of foo.txt, and
43513 to communicate with @value{GDBN} via @file{/dev/com1}. @command{gdbserver} now
43514 waits patiently for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate with it.
43515
43516 To use a TCP connection, you could say:
43517
43518 @smallexample
43519 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
43520 @end smallexample
43521
43522 This says pretty much the same thing as the last example, except that we are
43523 going to communicate with the @code{host} @value{GDBN} via TCP. The @code{host:2345} argument means
43524 that we are expecting to see a TCP connection from @code{host} to local TCP port
43525 2345. (Currently, the @code{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number you
43526 want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any existing TCP
43527 ports on the target system. This same port number must be used in the host
43528 @value{GDBN}s @code{target remote} command, which will be described shortly. Note that if
43529 you chose a port number that conflicts with another service, @command{gdbserver} will
43530 print an error message and exit.
43531
43532 @command{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
43533 This is accomplished via the @option{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
43534
43535 @smallexample
43536 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43537 @end smallexample
43538
43539 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
43540 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
43541
43542 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
43543 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
43544 In such case you should connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} to start
43545 the program you want to debug.
43546
43547 @smallexample
43548 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43549 @end smallexample
43550
43551 @ifclear man
43552 @subheading Usage (host side)
43553 @end ifclear
43554 @ifset man
43555 Usage (host side):
43556 @end ifset
43557
43558 You need an unstripped copy of the target program on your host system, since
43559 @value{GDBN} needs to examine it's symbol tables and such. Start up @value{GDBN} as you normally
43560 would, with the target program as the first argument. (You may need to use the
43561 @option{--baud} option if the serial line is running at anything except 9600 baud.)
43562 That is @code{gdb TARGET-PROG}, or @code{gdb --baud BAUD TARGET-PROG}. After that, the only
43563 new command you need to know about is @code{target remote}
43564 (or @code{target extended-remote}). Its argument is either
43565 a device name (usually a serial device, like @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a @code{HOST:PORT}
43566 descriptor. For example:
43567
43568 @smallexample
43569 @ifset man
43570 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/ttyb>.
43571 (gdb) target remote /dev/ttyb
43572 @end ifset
43573 @ifclear man
43574 (gdb) target remote @file{/dev/ttyb}
43575 @end ifclear
43576 @end smallexample
43577
43578 @noindent
43579 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and:
43580
43581 @smallexample
43582 (gdb) target remote the-target:2345
43583 @end smallexample
43584
43585 @noindent
43586 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host `the-target', where
43587 you previously started up @command{gdbserver} with the same port number. Note that for
43588 TCP connections, you must start up @command{gdbserver} prior to using the `target remote'
43589 command, otherwise you may get an error that looks something like
43590 `Connection refused'.
43591
43592 @command{gdbserver} can also debug multiple inferiors at once,
43593 described in
43594 @ifset man
43595 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Inferiors and Programs}
43596 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Inferiors and Programs'}.
43597 @end ifset
43598 @ifclear man
43599 @ref{Inferiors and Programs}.
43600 @end ifclear
43601 In such case use the @code{extended-remote} @value{GDBN} command variant:
43602
43603 @smallexample
43604 (gdb) target extended-remote the-target:2345
43605 @end smallexample
43606
43607 The @command{gdbserver} option @option{--multi} may or may not be used in such
43608 case.
43609 @c man end
43610
43611 @c man begin OPTIONS gdbserver
43612 There are three different modes for invoking @command{gdbserver}:
43613
43614 @itemize @bullet
43615
43616 @item
43617 Debug a specific program specified by its program name:
43618
43619 @smallexample
43620 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
43621 @end smallexample
43622
43623 The @var{comm} parameter specifies how should the server communicate
43624 with @value{GDBN}; it is either a device name (to use a serial line),
43625 a TCP port number (@code{:1234}), or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
43626 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}. Specify the name of the program to
43627 debug in @var{prog}. Any remaining arguments will be passed to the
43628 program verbatim. When the program exits, @value{GDBN} will close the
43629 connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
43630
43631 @item
43632 Debug a specific program by specifying the process ID of a running
43633 program:
43634
43635 @smallexample
43636 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43637 @end smallexample
43638
43639 The @var{comm} parameter is as described above. Supply the process ID
43640 of a running program in @var{pid}; @value{GDBN} will do everything
43641 else. Like with the previous mode, when the process @var{pid} exits,
43642 @value{GDBN} will close the connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
43643
43644 @item
43645 Multi-process mode -- debug more than one program/process:
43646
43647 @smallexample
43648 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43649 @end smallexample
43650
43651 In this mode, @value{GDBN} can instruct @command{gdbserver} which
43652 command(s) to run. Unlike the other 2 modes, @value{GDBN} will not
43653 close the connection when a process being debugged exits, so you can
43654 debug several processes in the same session.
43655 @end itemize
43656
43657 In each of the modes you may specify these options:
43658
43659 @table @env
43660
43661 @item --help
43662 List all options, with brief explanations.
43663
43664 @item --version
43665 This option causes @command{gdbserver} to print its version number and exit.
43666
43667 @item --attach
43668 @command{gdbserver} will attach to a running program. The syntax is:
43669
43670 @smallexample
43671 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43672 @end smallexample
43673
43674 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
43675 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
43676
43677 @item --multi
43678 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
43679 or process ID to attach, use this command line option.
43680 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
43681 the program you want to debug. The syntax is:
43682
43683 @smallexample
43684 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43685 @end smallexample
43686
43687 @item --debug
43688 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display extra status information about the debugging
43689 process.
43690 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
43691 the developers.
43692
43693 @item --remote-debug
43694 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display remote protocol debug output.
43695 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
43696 the developers.
43697
43698 @item --wrapper
43699 Specify a wrapper to launch programs
43700 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
43701 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
43702 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
43703
43704 @item --once
43705 By default, @command{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
43706 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
43707 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
43708 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session.
43709
43710 @c --disable-packet is not documented for users.
43711
43712 @c --disable-randomization and --no-disable-randomization are superseded by
43713 @c QDisableRandomization.
43714
43715 @end table
43716 @c man end
43717
43718 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbserver
43719 @ifset man
43720 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43721 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43722 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43723
43724 @smallexample
43725 info gdb
43726 @end smallexample
43727
43728 should give you access to the complete manual.
43729
43730 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43731 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43732 @end ifset
43733 @c man end
43734
43735 @node gcore man
43736 @heading gcore
43737
43738 @c man title gcore Generate a core file of a running program
43739
43740 @format
43741 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gcore
43742 gcore [-o @var{filename}] @var{pid}
43743 @c man end
43744 @end format
43745
43746 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gcore
43747 Generate a core dump of a running program with process ID @var{pid}.
43748 Produced file is equivalent to a kernel produced core file as if the process
43749 crashed (and if @kbd{ulimit -c} were used to set up an appropriate core dump
43750 limit). Unlike after a crash, after @command{gcore} the program remains
43751 running without any change.
43752 @c man end
43753
43754 @c man begin OPTIONS gcore
43755 @table @env
43756 @item -o @var{filename}
43757 The optional argument
43758 @var{filename} specifies the file name where to put the core dump.
43759 If not specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}},
43760 where @var{pid} is the running program process ID.
43761 @end table
43762 @c man end
43763
43764 @c man begin SEEALSO gcore
43765 @ifset man
43766 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43767 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43768 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43769
43770 @smallexample
43771 info gdb
43772 @end smallexample
43773
43774 @noindent
43775 should give you access to the complete manual.
43776
43777 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43778 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43779 @end ifset
43780 @c man end
43781
43782 @node gdbinit man
43783 @heading gdbinit
43784
43785 @c man title gdbinit GDB initialization scripts
43786
43787 @format
43788 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbinit
43789 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43790 @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
43791 @end ifset
43792
43793 ~/.gdbinit
43794
43795 ./.gdbinit
43796 @c man end
43797 @end format
43798
43799 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbinit
43800 These files contain @value{GDBN} commands to automatically execute during
43801 @value{GDBN} startup. The lines of contents are canned sequences of commands,
43802 described in
43803 @ifset man
43804 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Sequences}
43805 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Sequences}.
43806 @end ifset
43807 @ifclear man
43808 @ref{Sequences}.
43809 @end ifclear
43810
43811 Please read more in
43812 @ifset man
43813 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Startup}
43814 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}.
43815 @end ifset
43816 @ifclear man
43817 @ref{Startup}.
43818 @end ifclear
43819
43820 @table @env
43821 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43822 @item @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
43823 @end ifset
43824 @ifclear SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43825 @item (not enabled with @code{--with-system-gdbinit} during compilation)
43826 @end ifclear
43827 System-wide initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
43828 @value{GDBN} option @code{-nx} or @code{-n}.
43829 See more in
43830 @ifset man
43831 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{System-wide configuration}
43832 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'System-wide configuration'}.
43833 @end ifset
43834 @ifclear man
43835 @ref{System-wide configuration}.
43836 @end ifclear
43837
43838 @item ~/.gdbinit
43839 User initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
43840 @value{GDBN} options @code{-nx}, @code{-n} or @code{-nh}.
43841
43842 @item ./.gdbinit
43843 Initialization file for current directory. It may need to be enabled with
43844 @value{GDBN} security command @code{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
43845 See more in
43846 @ifset man
43847 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Init File in the Current Directory}
43848 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Init File in the Current Directory'}.
43849 @end ifset
43850 @ifclear man
43851 @ref{Init File in the Current Directory}.
43852 @end ifclear
43853 @end table
43854 @c man end
43855
43856 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbinit
43857 @ifset man
43858 gdb(1), @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}
43859
43860 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43861 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43862 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43863
43864 @smallexample
43865 info gdb
43866 @end smallexample
43867
43868 should give you access to the complete manual.
43869
43870 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43871 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43872 @end ifset
43873 @c man end
43874
43875 @include gpl.texi
43876
43877 @node GNU Free Documentation License
43878 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
43879 @include fdl.texi
43880
43881 @node Concept Index
43882 @unnumbered Concept Index
43883
43884 @printindex cp
43885
43886 @node Command and Variable Index
43887 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
43888
43889 @printindex fn
43890
43891 @tex
43892 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
43893 % meantime:
43894 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
43895 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
43896 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
43897 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
43898 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
43899 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
43900 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
43901 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
43902 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
43903 \page\colophon
43904 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
43905 @end tex
43906
43907 @bye
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