2011-01-11 Sergio Durigan Junior <sergiodj@linux.vnet.ibm.com>
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
3 @c 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,
4 @c 2010, 2011 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c
6 @c %**start of header
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
9 @setfilename gdb.info
10 @c
11 @include gdb-cfg.texi
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @syncodeindex ky cp
24 @syncodeindex tp cp
25
26 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
28 @syncodeindex vr cp
29 @syncodeindex fn cp
30
31 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
33 @set EDITION Ninth
34
35 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
36 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
37
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39
40 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41 @c manuals to an info tree.
42 @dircategory Software development
43 @direntry
44 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
45 @end direntry
46
47 @copying
48 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
49 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
50 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
58
59 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62 @end copying
63
64 @ifnottex
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
71 @end ifset
72 Version @value{GDBVN}.
73
74 @insertcopying
75 @end ifnottex
76
77 @titlepage
78 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
80 @sp 1
81 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
85 @end ifset
86 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
87 @page
88 @tex
89 {\parskip=0pt
90 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
93 }
94 @end tex
95
96 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @page
104 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
105 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
106 software in general. We will miss him.
107 @end titlepage
108 @page
109
110 @ifnottex
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 @end ifset
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124
125 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127 software in general. We will miss him.
128
129 @menu
130 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132
133 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139 * Stack:: Examining the stack
140 * Source:: Examining source files
141 * Data:: Examining data
142 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
143 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
144 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
145 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
146
147 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
148
149 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
150 * Altering:: Altering execution
151 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
152 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
153 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
154 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
155 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
156 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
157 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
158 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
159 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
160 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
161 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
162 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
163
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166 @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 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
175 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
176 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
177 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
178 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
179 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
180 @value{GDBN}
181 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
182 the operating system
183 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
184 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
185 how you can copy and share GDB
186 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
187 * Index:: Index
188 @end menu
189
190 @end ifnottex
191
192 @contents
193
194 @node Summary
195 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
196
197 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
198 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
199 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
200
201 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
202 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
203
204 @itemize @bullet
205 @item
206 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
207
208 @item
209 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
210
211 @item
212 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
213
214 @item
215 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
216 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
217 @end itemize
218
219 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
220 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
221 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
222
223 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
224 @ref{D,,D}.
225
226 @cindex Modula-2
227 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
228 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
229
230 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
231 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
232
233 @cindex Pascal
234 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
235 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
236 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
237 syntax.
238
239 @cindex Fortran
240 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
241 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
242 underscore.
243
244 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
245 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
246
247 @menu
248 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
249 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
250 @end menu
251
252 @node Free Software
253 @unnumberedsec Free Software
254
255 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
256 General Public License
257 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
258 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
259 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
260 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
261 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
262 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
263
264 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
265 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
266 from anyone else.
267
268 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
269
270 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
271 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
272 include with the free software. Many of our most important
273 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
274 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
275 when an important free software package does not come with a free
276 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
277 gaps today.
278
279 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
280 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
281 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
282 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
283 them from the free software world.
284
285 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
286 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
287 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
288 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
289 contract to make it non-free.
290
291 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
292 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
293 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
294 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
295 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
296 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
297 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
298
299 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
300 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
301 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
302 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
303
304 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
305 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
306 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
307 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
308 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
309 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
310 community.
311
312 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
313 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
314 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
315 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
316 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
317 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
318 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
319 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
320 of the manual.
321
322 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
323 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
324 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
325 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
326 manual to replace it.
327
328 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
329 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
330 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
331 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
332 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
333 the free software community.
334
335 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
336 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
337 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
338 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
339 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
340 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
341 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
342 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
343 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
344
345 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
346 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
347 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
348 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
349 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
350 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
351 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
352 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
353
354 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
355 published by other publishers, at
356 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
357
358 @node Contributors
359 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
360
361 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
362 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
363 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
364 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
365 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
366 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
367 blow-by-blow account.
368
369 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
370
371 @quotation
372 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
373 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
374 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
375 @end quotation
376
377 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
378 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
379 releases:
380 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
381 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
382 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
383 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
384 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
385 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
386 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
387 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
388 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
389
390 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
391 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
392
393 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
394 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
395 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
396 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
397 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
398
399 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
400 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
401 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
402
403 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
404 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
405
406 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
407
408 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
409 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
410 support.
411 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
412 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
413 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
414 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
415 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
416 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
417 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
418 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
419 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
420 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
421 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
422 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
423 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
424 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
425 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
426 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
427
428 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
429
430 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
431 libraries.
432
433 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
434 about several machine instruction sets.
435
436 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
437 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
438 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
439 and RDI targets, respectively.
440
441 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
442 command-line editing and command history.
443
444 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
445 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
446
447 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
448 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
449 symbols.
450
451 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
452 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
453
454 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
455
456 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
457 processors.
458
459 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
460
461 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
462
463 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
464
465 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
466 watchpoints.
467
468 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
469
470 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
471
472 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
473 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
474
475 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
476 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
477 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
478 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
479 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
480 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
481 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
482
483 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
484 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
485
486 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
487 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
488 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
489 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
490 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
491 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
492 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
493 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
494 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
495 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
496 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
497 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
498 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
499 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
500 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
501
502 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
503 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
504
505 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
506 Hat.
507
508 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
509 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
510 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
511 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
512 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
513 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
514
515 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
516 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
517 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
518 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
519 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
520 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
521 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
522 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
523 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
524 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
525 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
526 Weigand.
527
528 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
529 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
530 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
531 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
532
533 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
534 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
535
536 @node Sample Session
537 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
538
539 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
540 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
541 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
542
543 @iftex
544 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
545 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
546 @end iftex
547
548 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
549 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
550
551 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
552 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
553 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
554 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
555 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
556 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
557 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
558 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
559 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
560
561 @smallexample
562 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
563 $ @b{./m4}
564 @b{define(foo,0000)}
565
566 @b{foo}
567 0000
568 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
569
570 @b{bar}
571 0000
572 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
573
574 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
575 @b{baz}
576 @b{Ctrl-d}
577 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
578 @end smallexample
579
580 @noindent
581 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
582
583 @smallexample
584 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
585 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
586 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
587 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
588 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
589 the conditions.
590 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
591 for details.
592
593 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
594 (@value{GDBP})
595 @end smallexample
596
597 @noindent
598 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
599 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
600 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
601 that examples fit in this manual.
602
603 @smallexample
604 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
605 @end smallexample
606
607 @noindent
608 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
609 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
610 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
611 @code{break} command.
612
613 @smallexample
614 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
615 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
616 @end smallexample
617
618 @noindent
619 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
620 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
621 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
622
623 @smallexample
624 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
625 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
626 @b{define(foo,0000)}
627
628 @b{foo}
629 0000
630 @end smallexample
631
632 @noindent
633 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
634 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
635 context where it stops.
636
637 @smallexample
638 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
639
640 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
641 at builtin.c:879
642 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
643 @end smallexample
644
645 @noindent
646 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
647 the next line of the current function.
648
649 @smallexample
650 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
651 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
652 : nil,
653 @end smallexample
654
655 @noindent
656 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
657 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
658 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
659 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
660
661 @smallexample
662 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
663 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
664 at input.c:530
665 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
666 @end smallexample
667
668 @noindent
669 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
670 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
671 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
672 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
673 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
674 stack frame for each active subroutine.
675
676 @smallexample
677 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
678 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
679 at input.c:530
680 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
681 at builtin.c:882
682 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
683 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
684 at macro.c:71
685 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
686 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
687 @end smallexample
688
689 @noindent
690 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
691 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
692 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
693
694 @smallexample
695 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
696 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
697 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
698 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
699 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
700 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
701 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
702 : xstrdup(rq);
703 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
704 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
705 @end smallexample
706
707 @noindent
708 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
709 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
710 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
711 (@code{print}) to see their values.
712
713 @smallexample
714 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
715 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
716 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
717 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
718 @end smallexample
719
720 @noindent
721 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
722 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
723 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
724
725 @smallexample
726 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
727 533 xfree(rquote);
728 534
729 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
730 : xstrdup (lq);
731 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
732 : xstrdup (rq);
733 537
734 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
735 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
736 540 @}
737 541
738 542 void
739 @end smallexample
740
741 @noindent
742 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
743 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
744
745 @smallexample
746 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
747 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
748 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
749 540 @}
750 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
751 $3 = 9
752 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
753 $4 = 7
754 @end smallexample
755
756 @noindent
757 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
758 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
759 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
760 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
761 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
762 assignments.
763
764 @smallexample
765 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
766 $5 = 7
767 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
768 $6 = 9
769 @end smallexample
770
771 @noindent
772 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
773 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
774 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
775 example that caused trouble initially:
776
777 @smallexample
778 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
779 Continuing.
780
781 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
782
783 baz
784 0000
785 @end smallexample
786
787 @noindent
788 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
789 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
790 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
791
792 @smallexample
793 @b{Ctrl-d}
794 Program exited normally.
795 @end smallexample
796
797 @noindent
798 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
799 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
800 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
801
802 @smallexample
803 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
804 @end smallexample
805
806 @node Invocation
807 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
808
809 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
810 The essentials are:
811 @itemize @bullet
812 @item
813 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
814 @item
815 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
816 @end itemize
817
818 @menu
819 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
820 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
821 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
822 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
823 @end menu
824
825 @node Invoking GDB
826 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
827
828 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
829 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
830
831 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
832 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
833
834 The command-line options described here are designed
835 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
836 options may effectively be unavailable.
837
838 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
839 specifying an executable program:
840
841 @smallexample
842 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
843 @end smallexample
844
845 @noindent
846 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
847 specified:
848
849 @smallexample
850 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
851 @end smallexample
852
853 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
854 to debug a running process:
855
856 @smallexample
857 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
858 @end smallexample
859
860 @noindent
861 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
862 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
863
864 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
865 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
866 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
867 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
868 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
869
870 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
871 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
872 option processing.
873 @smallexample
874 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
875 @end smallexample
876 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
877 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
878
879 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
880 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
881
882 @smallexample
883 @value{GDBP} -silent
884 @end smallexample
885
886 @noindent
887 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
888 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
889
890 @noindent
891 Type
892
893 @smallexample
894 @value{GDBP} -help
895 @end smallexample
896
897 @noindent
898 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
899 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
900
901 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
902 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
903 @samp{-x} option is used.
904
905
906 @menu
907 * File Options:: Choosing files
908 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
909 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
910 @end menu
911
912 @node File Options
913 @subsection Choosing Files
914
915 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
916 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
917 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
918 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
919 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
920 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
921 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
922 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
923 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
924 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
925 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
926 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
927 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
928
929 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
930 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
931 argument and ignore it.
932
933 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
934 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
935 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
936 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
937 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
938
939 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
940 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
941 @c it.
942
943 @table @code
944 @item -symbols @var{file}
945 @itemx -s @var{file}
946 @cindex @code{--symbols}
947 @cindex @code{-s}
948 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
949
950 @item -exec @var{file}
951 @itemx -e @var{file}
952 @cindex @code{--exec}
953 @cindex @code{-e}
954 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
955 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
956
957 @item -se @var{file}
958 @cindex @code{--se}
959 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
960 file.
961
962 @item -core @var{file}
963 @itemx -c @var{file}
964 @cindex @code{--core}
965 @cindex @code{-c}
966 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
967
968 @item -pid @var{number}
969 @itemx -p @var{number}
970 @cindex @code{--pid}
971 @cindex @code{-p}
972 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
973
974 @item -command @var{file}
975 @itemx -x @var{file}
976 @cindex @code{--command}
977 @cindex @code{-x}
978 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
979 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
980 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
981
982 @item -eval-command @var{command}
983 @itemx -ex @var{command}
984 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
985 @cindex @code{-ex}
986 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
987
988 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
989 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
990
991 @smallexample
992 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
993 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
994 @end smallexample
995
996 @item -directory @var{directory}
997 @itemx -d @var{directory}
998 @cindex @code{--directory}
999 @cindex @code{-d}
1000 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1001
1002 @item -r
1003 @itemx -readnow
1004 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1005 @cindex @code{-r}
1006 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1007 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1008 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1009
1010 @end table
1011
1012 @node Mode Options
1013 @subsection Choosing Modes
1014
1015 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1016 batch mode or quiet mode.
1017
1018 @table @code
1019 @item -nx
1020 @itemx -n
1021 @cindex @code{--nx}
1022 @cindex @code{-n}
1023 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1024 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1025 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1026 Files}.
1027
1028 @item -quiet
1029 @itemx -silent
1030 @itemx -q
1031 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1032 @cindex @code{--silent}
1033 @cindex @code{-q}
1034 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1035 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1036
1037 @item -batch
1038 @cindex @code{--batch}
1039 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1040 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1041 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1042 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1043 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1044 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1045 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1046
1047 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1048 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1049 make this more useful, the message
1050
1051 @smallexample
1052 Program exited normally.
1053 @end smallexample
1054
1055 @noindent
1056 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1057 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1058 mode.
1059
1060 @item -batch-silent
1061 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1062 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1063 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1064 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1065 for an interactive session.
1066
1067 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1068 messages, for example.
1069
1070 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1071 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1072
1073 @item -return-child-result
1074 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1075 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1076 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1077
1078 @itemize @bullet
1079 @item
1080 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1081 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1082 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1083 @item
1084 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1085 @item
1086 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1087 the exit code will be -1.
1088 @end itemize
1089
1090 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1091 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1092 interface.
1093
1094 @item -nowindows
1095 @itemx -nw
1096 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1097 @cindex @code{-nw}
1098 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1099 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1100 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1101
1102 @item -windows
1103 @itemx -w
1104 @cindex @code{--windows}
1105 @cindex @code{-w}
1106 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1107 used if possible.
1108
1109 @item -cd @var{directory}
1110 @cindex @code{--cd}
1111 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1112 instead of the current directory.
1113
1114 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1115 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1116 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1117 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1118 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1119
1120 @item -fullname
1121 @itemx -f
1122 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1123 @cindex @code{-f}
1124 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1125 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1126 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1127 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1128 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1129 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1130 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1131 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1132 frame.
1133
1134 @item -epoch
1135 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1136 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1137 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1138 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1139 separate window.
1140
1141 @item -annotate @var{level}
1142 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1143 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1144 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1145 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1146 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1147 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1148 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1149 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1150 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1151
1152 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1153 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1154
1155 @item --args
1156 @cindex @code{--args}
1157 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1158 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1159 This option stops option processing.
1160
1161 @item -baud @var{bps}
1162 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1163 @cindex @code{--baud}
1164 @cindex @code{-b}
1165 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1166 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1167
1168 @item -l @var{timeout}
1169 @cindex @code{-l}
1170 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1171 for remote debugging.
1172
1173 @item -tty @var{device}
1174 @itemx -t @var{device}
1175 @cindex @code{--tty}
1176 @cindex @code{-t}
1177 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1178 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1179
1180 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1181 @item -tui
1182 @cindex @code{--tui}
1183 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1184 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1185 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1186 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1187 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1188 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1189 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1190
1191 @c @item -xdb
1192 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1193 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1194 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1195 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1196 @c systems.
1197
1198 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1199 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1200 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1201 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1202 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1203 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1204
1205 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1206 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1207 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1208 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1209 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1210 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1211
1212 @item -write
1213 @cindex @code{--write}
1214 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1215 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1216 (@pxref{Patching}).
1217
1218 @item -statistics
1219 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1220 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1221 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1222
1223 @item -version
1224 @cindex @code{--version}
1225 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1226 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1227
1228 @end table
1229
1230 @node Startup
1231 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1232 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1233
1234 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1235
1236 @enumerate
1237 @item
1238 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1239 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1240
1241 @item
1242 @cindex init file
1243 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1244 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1245 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1246 that file.
1247
1248 @item
1249 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1250 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1251 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1252 that file.
1253
1254 @item
1255 Processes command line options and operands.
1256
1257 @item
1258 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1259 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1260 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1261 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1262 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1263 @value{GDBN}.
1264
1265 @item
1266 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1267 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1268 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1269 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1270
1271 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1272 you must do something like the following:
1273
1274 @smallexample
1275 $ gdb -ex "set auto-load-scripts off" -ex "file myprogram"
1276 @end smallexample
1277
1278 The following does not work because the auto-loading is turned off too late:
1279
1280 @smallexample
1281 $ gdb -ex "set auto-load-scripts off" myprogram
1282 @end smallexample
1283
1284 @item
1285 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1286 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1287
1288 @item
1289 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1290 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1291 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1292 @end enumerate
1293
1294 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1295 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1296 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1297 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1298 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1299 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1300
1301 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1302 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1303
1304 @cindex init file name
1305 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1306 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1307 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1308 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1309 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1310 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1311 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1312 the file to the standard name.
1313
1314
1315 @node Quitting GDB
1316 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1317 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1318 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1319
1320 @table @code
1321 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1322 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1323 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1324 @itemx q
1325 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1326 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1327 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1328 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1329 error code.
1330 @end table
1331
1332 @cindex interrupt
1333 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1334 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1335 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1336 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1337 until a time when it is safe.
1338
1339 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1340 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1341 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1342
1343 @node Shell Commands
1344 @section Shell Commands
1345
1346 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1347 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1348 just use the @code{shell} command.
1349
1350 @table @code
1351 @kindex shell
1352 @cindex shell escape
1353 @item shell @var{command string}
1354 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1355 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1356 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1357 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1358 @end table
1359
1360 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1361 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1362 @value{GDBN}:
1363
1364 @table @code
1365 @kindex make
1366 @cindex calling make
1367 @item make @var{make-args}
1368 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1369 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1370 @end table
1371
1372 @node Logging Output
1373 @section Logging Output
1374 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1375 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1376
1377 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1378 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1379
1380 @table @code
1381 @kindex set logging
1382 @item set logging on
1383 Enable logging.
1384 @item set logging off
1385 Disable logging.
1386 @cindex logging file name
1387 @item set logging file @var{file}
1388 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1389 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1390 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1391 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1392 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1393 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1394 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1395 @kindex show logging
1396 @item show logging
1397 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1398 @end table
1399
1400 @node Commands
1401 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1402
1403 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1404 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1405 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1406 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1407 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1408
1409 @menu
1410 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1411 * Completion:: Command completion
1412 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1413 @end menu
1414
1415 @node Command Syntax
1416 @section Command Syntax
1417
1418 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1419 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1420 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1421 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1422 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1423 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1424
1425 @cindex abbreviation
1426 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1427 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1428 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1429 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1430 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1431 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1432 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1433
1434 @cindex repeating commands
1435 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1436 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1437 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1438 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1439 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1440 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1441 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1442
1443 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1444 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1445 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1446
1447 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1448 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1449 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1450 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1451 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1452
1453 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1454 @cindex comment
1455 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1456 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1457 Files,,Command Files}).
1458
1459 @cindex repeating command sequences
1460 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1461 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1462 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1463 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1464 for editing.
1465
1466 @node Completion
1467 @section Command Completion
1468
1469 @cindex completion
1470 @cindex word completion
1471 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1472 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1473 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1474 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1475
1476 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1477 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1478 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1479 enter it). For example, if you type
1480
1481 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1482 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1483 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1484 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1485 @smallexample
1486 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1487 @end smallexample
1488
1489 @noindent
1490 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1491 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1492
1493 @smallexample
1494 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1495 @end smallexample
1496
1497 @noindent
1498 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1499 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1500 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1501 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1502 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1503 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1504
1505 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1506 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1507 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1508 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1509 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1510 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1511 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1512 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1513 example:
1514
1515 @smallexample
1516 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1517 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1518 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1519 make_abs_section make_function_type
1520 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1521 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1522 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1523 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1524 @end smallexample
1525
1526 @noindent
1527 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1528 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1529 command.
1530
1531 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1532 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1533 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1534 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1535 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1536
1537 @cindex quotes in commands
1538 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1539 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1540 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1541 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1542 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1543 @value{GDBN} commands.
1544
1545 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1546 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1547 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1548 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1549 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1550 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1551 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1552 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1553 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1554 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1555 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1556
1557 @smallexample
1558 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1559 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1560 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1561 @end smallexample
1562
1563 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1564 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1565 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1566 place:
1567
1568 @smallexample
1569 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1570 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1571 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1572 @end smallexample
1573
1574 @noindent
1575 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1576 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1577 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1578
1579 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1580 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1581 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1582 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1583
1584 @cindex completion of structure field names
1585 @cindex structure field name completion
1586 @cindex completion of union field names
1587 @cindex union field name completion
1588 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1589 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1590 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1591 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1592 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1593 left-hand-side:
1594
1595 @smallexample
1596 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1597 magic to_delete to_fputs to_put to_rewind
1598 to_data to_flush to_isatty to_read to_write
1599 @end smallexample
1600
1601 @noindent
1602 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1603 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1604 follows:
1605
1606 @smallexample
1607 struct ui_file
1608 @{
1609 int *magic;
1610 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1611 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1612 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1613 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1614 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1615 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1616 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1617 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1618 void *to_data;
1619 @}
1620 @end smallexample
1621
1622
1623 @node Help
1624 @section Getting Help
1625 @cindex online documentation
1626 @kindex help
1627
1628 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1629 using the command @code{help}.
1630
1631 @table @code
1632 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1633 @item help
1634 @itemx h
1635 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1636 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1637
1638 @smallexample
1639 (@value{GDBP}) help
1640 List of classes of commands:
1641
1642 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1643 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1644 data -- Examining data
1645 files -- Specifying and examining files
1646 internals -- Maintenance commands
1647 obscure -- Obscure features
1648 running -- Running the program
1649 stack -- Examining the stack
1650 status -- Status inquiries
1651 support -- Support facilities
1652 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1653 stopping the program
1654 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1655
1656 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1657 commands in that class.
1658 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1659 documentation.
1660 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1661 (@value{GDBP})
1662 @end smallexample
1663 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1664
1665 @item help @var{class}
1666 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1667 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1668 help display for the class @code{status}:
1669
1670 @smallexample
1671 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1672 Status inquiries.
1673
1674 List of commands:
1675
1676 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1677 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1678 info -- Generic command for showing things
1679 about the program being debugged
1680 show -- Generic command for showing things
1681 about the debugger
1682
1683 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1684 documentation.
1685 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1686 (@value{GDBP})
1687 @end smallexample
1688
1689 @item help @var{command}
1690 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1691 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1692
1693 @kindex apropos
1694 @item apropos @var{args}
1695 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1696 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1697 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1698
1699 @smallexample
1700 apropos reload
1701 @end smallexample
1702
1703 @noindent
1704 results in:
1705
1706 @smallexample
1707 @c @group
1708 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1709 multiple times in one run
1710 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1711 multiple times in one run
1712 @c @end group
1713 @end smallexample
1714
1715 @kindex complete
1716 @item complete @var{args}
1717 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1718 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1719 command you want completed. For example:
1720
1721 @smallexample
1722 complete i
1723 @end smallexample
1724
1725 @noindent results in:
1726
1727 @smallexample
1728 @group
1729 if
1730 ignore
1731 info
1732 inspect
1733 @end group
1734 @end smallexample
1735
1736 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1737 @end table
1738
1739 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1740 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1741 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1742 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1743 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1744 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1745
1746 @c @group
1747 @table @code
1748 @kindex info
1749 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1750 @item info
1751 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1752 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1753 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1754 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1755 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1756 @w{@code{help info}}.
1757
1758 @kindex set
1759 @item set
1760 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1761 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1762 @code{set prompt $}.
1763
1764 @kindex show
1765 @item show
1766 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1767 @value{GDBN} itself.
1768 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1769 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1770 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1771 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1772
1773 @kindex info set
1774 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1775 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1776 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1777 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1778 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1779 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1780 @end table
1781 @c @end group
1782
1783 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1784 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1785
1786 @table @code
1787 @kindex show version
1788 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1789 @item show version
1790 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1791 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1792 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1793 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1794 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1795 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1796 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1797 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1798 @value{GDBN}.
1799
1800 @kindex show copying
1801 @kindex info copying
1802 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1803 @item show copying
1804 @itemx info copying
1805 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1806
1807 @kindex show warranty
1808 @kindex info warranty
1809 @item show warranty
1810 @itemx info warranty
1811 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1812 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1813
1814 @end table
1815
1816 @node Running
1817 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1818
1819 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1820 debugging information when you compile it.
1821
1822 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1823 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1824 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1825 kill a child process.
1826
1827 @menu
1828 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1829 * Starting:: Starting your program
1830 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1831 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1832
1833 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1834 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1835 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1836 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1837
1838 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1839 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1840 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1841 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1842 @end menu
1843
1844 @node Compilation
1845 @section Compiling for Debugging
1846
1847 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1848 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1849 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1850 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1851 and addresses in the executable code.
1852
1853 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1854 the compiler.
1855
1856 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1857 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1858 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1859 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1860 executables containing debugging information.
1861
1862 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1863 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1864 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1865 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1866 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1867
1868 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1869 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1870 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1871
1872 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1873 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1874 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1875 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1876 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1877 provides macro information if you specify the options
1878 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1879 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1880 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1881 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1882 @option{-g} alone.
1883
1884 @need 2000
1885 @node Starting
1886 @section Starting your Program
1887 @cindex starting
1888 @cindex running
1889
1890 @table @code
1891 @kindex run
1892 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1893 @item run
1894 @itemx r
1895 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1896 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1897 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1898 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1899 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1900
1901 @end table
1902
1903 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1904 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1905 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1906 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1907 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1908 message like this one:
1909
1910 @smallexample
1911 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1912 Try "help target" or "continue".
1913 @end smallexample
1914
1915 @noindent
1916 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1917 first (@pxref{load}).
1918
1919 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1920 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1921 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1922 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1923 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1924 divided into four categories:
1925
1926 @table @asis
1927 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1928 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1929 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1930 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1931 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1932 the arguments.
1933 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1934 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1935 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1936
1937 @item The @emph{environment.}
1938 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1939 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1940 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1941 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1942
1943 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1944 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1945 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1946 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1947
1948 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1949 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1950 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1951 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1952 set a different device for your program.
1953 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1954
1955 @cindex pipes
1956 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1957 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1958 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1959 wrong program.
1960 @end table
1961
1962 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1963 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1964 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1965 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1966 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1967
1968 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1969 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1970 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1971 your current breakpoints.
1972
1973 @table @code
1974 @kindex start
1975 @item start
1976 @cindex run to main procedure
1977 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1978 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1979 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1980 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1981 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1982 procedure, depending on the language used.
1983
1984 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1985 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1986 the @samp{run} command.
1987
1988 @cindex elaboration phase
1989 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1990 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1991 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1992 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1993 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1994 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1995 will remain to halt execution.
1996
1997 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1998 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1999 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2000 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2001 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2002
2003 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2004 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2005 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2006 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2007 elaboration code before running your program.
2008
2009 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2010 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2011 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2012 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2013 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2014 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2015 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2016 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2017 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2018 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2019 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2020
2021 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2022 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2023 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2024 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2025
2026 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2027 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2028 environment:
2029
2030 @smallexample
2031 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2032 (@value{GDBP}) run
2033 @end smallexample
2034
2035 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2036 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2037
2038 @kindex set disable-randomization
2039 @item set disable-randomization
2040 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2041 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2042 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2043 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2044 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2045
2046 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2047 behavior using
2048
2049 @smallexample
2050 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2051 @end smallexample
2052
2053 @item set disable-randomization off
2054 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2055 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2056 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2057 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2058 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2059 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2060
2061 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2062 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2063 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2064 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2065 a code at its expected addresses.
2066
2067 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2068 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2069 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2070 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2071 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2072 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2073 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2074 a randomly chosen address.
2075
2076 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2077 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2078 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2079 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2080 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2081
2082 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2083 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2084
2085 @item show disable-randomization
2086 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2087 the virtual address space of the started program.
2088
2089 @end table
2090
2091 @node Arguments
2092 @section Your Program's Arguments
2093
2094 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2095 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2096 @code{run} command.
2097 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2098 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2099 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2100 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2101 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2102
2103 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2104 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2105 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2106 the program, not by the shell.
2107
2108 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2109 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2110
2111 @table @code
2112 @kindex set args
2113 @item set args
2114 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2115 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2116 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2117 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2118 it again without arguments.
2119
2120 @kindex show args
2121 @item show args
2122 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2123 @end table
2124
2125 @node Environment
2126 @section Your Program's Environment
2127
2128 @cindex environment (of your program)
2129 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2130 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2131 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2132 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2133 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2134 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2135 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2136
2137 @table @code
2138 @kindex path
2139 @item path @var{directory}
2140 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2141 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2142 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2143 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2144 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2145 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2146 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2147
2148 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2149 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2150 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2151 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2152 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2153 @var{directory} to the search path.
2154 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2155 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2156
2157 @kindex show paths
2158 @item show paths
2159 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2160 environment variable).
2161
2162 @kindex show environment
2163 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2164 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2165 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2166 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2167 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2168
2169 @kindex set environment
2170 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2171 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2172 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2173 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2174 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2175 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2176 null value.
2177 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2178 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2179
2180 For example, this command:
2181
2182 @smallexample
2183 set env USER = foo
2184 @end smallexample
2185
2186 @noindent
2187 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2188 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2189 are not actually required.)
2190
2191 @kindex unset environment
2192 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2193 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2194 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2195 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2196 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2197 @end table
2198
2199 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2200 the shell indicated
2201 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2202 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2203 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2204 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2205 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2206 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2207 @file{.profile}.
2208
2209 @node Working Directory
2210 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2211
2212 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2213 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2214 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2215 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2216 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2217 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2218
2219 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2220 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2221 Specify Files}.
2222
2223 @table @code
2224 @kindex cd
2225 @cindex change working directory
2226 @item cd @var{directory}
2227 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2228
2229 @kindex pwd
2230 @item pwd
2231 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2232 @end table
2233
2234 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2235 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2236 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2237 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2238 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2239 current working directory of the debuggee.
2240
2241 @node Input/Output
2242 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2243
2244 @cindex redirection
2245 @cindex i/o
2246 @cindex terminal
2247 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2248 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2249 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2250 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2251 running your program.
2252
2253 @table @code
2254 @kindex info terminal
2255 @item info terminal
2256 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2257 program is using.
2258 @end table
2259
2260 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2261 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2262
2263 @smallexample
2264 run > outfile
2265 @end smallexample
2266
2267 @noindent
2268 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2269
2270 @kindex tty
2271 @cindex controlling terminal
2272 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2273 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2274 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2275 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2276 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2277
2278 @smallexample
2279 tty /dev/ttyb
2280 @end smallexample
2281
2282 @noindent
2283 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2284 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2285 that as their controlling terminal.
2286
2287 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2288 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2289 terminal.
2290
2291 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2292 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2293 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2294 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2295
2296 @cindex inferior tty
2297 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2298 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2299 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2300 program.
2301
2302 @table @code
2303 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2304 @kindex set inferior-tty
2305 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2306
2307 @item show inferior-tty
2308 @kindex show inferior-tty
2309 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2310 @end table
2311
2312 @node Attach
2313 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2314 @kindex attach
2315 @cindex attach
2316
2317 @table @code
2318 @item attach @var{process-id}
2319 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2320 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2321 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2322 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2323 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2324
2325 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2326 executing the command.
2327 @end table
2328
2329 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2330 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2331 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2332 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2333
2334 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2335 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2336 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2337 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2338 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2339 Specify Files}.
2340
2341 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2342 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2343 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2344 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2345 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2346 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2347 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2348
2349 @table @code
2350 @kindex detach
2351 @item detach
2352 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2353 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2354 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2355 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2356 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2357 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2358 executing the command.
2359 @end table
2360
2361 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2362 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2363 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2364 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2365 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2366 Messages}).
2367
2368 @node Kill Process
2369 @section Killing the Child Process
2370
2371 @table @code
2372 @kindex kill
2373 @item kill
2374 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2375 @end table
2376
2377 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2378 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2379 is running.
2380
2381 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2382 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2383 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2384 outside the debugger.
2385
2386 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2387 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2388 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2389 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2390 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2391 breakpoint settings).
2392
2393 @node Inferiors and Programs
2394 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2395
2396 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2397 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2398 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2399 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2400 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2401 from multiple executables.
2402
2403 @cindex inferior
2404 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2405 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2406 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2407 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2408 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2409 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2410 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2411 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2412 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2413 threads running in it.
2414
2415 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2416 inferiors}}:
2417
2418 @table @code
2419 @kindex info inferiors
2420 @item info inferiors
2421 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2422
2423 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2424
2425 @enumerate
2426 @item
2427 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2428
2429 @item
2430 the target system's inferior identifier
2431
2432 @item
2433 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2434
2435 @end enumerate
2436
2437 @noindent
2438 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2439 indicates the current inferior.
2440
2441 For example,
2442 @end table
2443 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2444
2445 @smallexample
2446 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2447 Num Description Executable
2448 2 process 2307 hello
2449 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2450 @end smallexample
2451
2452 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2453
2454 @table @code
2455 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2456 @item inferior @var{infno}
2457 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2458 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2459 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2460 @end table
2461
2462
2463 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2464 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2465 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2466 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2467 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2468 @w{@code{remove-inferior}} command.
2469
2470 @table @code
2471 @kindex add-inferior
2472 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2473 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2474 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2475 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2476 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2477 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2478
2479 @kindex clone-inferior
2480 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2481 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2482 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2483 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2484 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2485
2486 @smallexample
2487 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2488 Num Description Executable
2489 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2490 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2491 Added inferior 2.
2492 1 inferiors added.
2493 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2494 Num Description Executable
2495 2 <null> helloworld
2496 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2497 @end smallexample
2498
2499 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2500
2501 @kindex remove-inferior
2502 @item remove-inferior @var{infno}
2503 Removes the inferior @var{infno}. It is not possible to remove an
2504 inferior that is running with this command. For those, use the
2505 @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2506
2507 @end table
2508
2509 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2510 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2511 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2512 using the @w{@code{kill inferior}} command:
2513
2514 @table @code
2515 @kindex detach inferior @var{infno}
2516 @item detach inferior @var{infno}
2517 Detach from the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2518 @var{infno}. Note that the inferior's entry still stays on the list
2519 of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its Description will
2520 show @samp{<null>}.
2521
2522 @kindex kill inferior @var{infno}
2523 @item kill inferior @var{infno}
2524 Kill the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2525 @var{infno}. Note that the inferior's entry still stays on the list
2526 of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its Description will
2527 show @samp{<null>}.
2528 @end table
2529
2530 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2531 @code{detach inferior}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferior}, or after
2532 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2533 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2534
2535
2536 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2537 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2538
2539 @table @code
2540 @kindex set print inferior-events
2541 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2542 @item set print inferior-events
2543 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2544 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2545 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2546 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2547 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2548 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2549
2550 @kindex show print inferior-events
2551 @item show print inferior-events
2552 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2553 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2554 @end table
2555
2556 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2557 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2558 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2559
2560
2561 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2562 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2563 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2564 info program-spaces}} command.
2565
2566 @table @code
2567 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2568 @item maint info program-spaces
2569 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2570 @value{GDBN}.
2571
2572 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2573
2574 @enumerate
2575 @item
2576 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2577
2578 @item
2579 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2580 the @code{file} command.
2581
2582 @end enumerate
2583
2584 @noindent
2585 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2586 indicates the current program space.
2587
2588 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2589 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2590 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2591
2592 @smallexample
2593 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2594 Id Executable
2595 2 goodbye
2596 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2597 * 1 hello
2598 @end smallexample
2599
2600 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2601 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2602 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2603 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2604 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2605
2606 @smallexample
2607 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2608 Id Executable
2609 * 1 vfork-test
2610 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2611 @end smallexample
2612
2613 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2614 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2615 @end table
2616
2617 @node Threads
2618 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2619
2620 @cindex threads of execution
2621 @cindex multiple threads
2622 @cindex switching threads
2623 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2624 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2625 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2626 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2627 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2628 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2629 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2630
2631 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2632 programs:
2633
2634 @itemize @bullet
2635 @item automatic notification of new threads
2636 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2637 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2638 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2639 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2640 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2641 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2642 messages on thread start and exit.
2643 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2644 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2645 isn't compatible with the program.
2646 @end itemize
2647
2648 @quotation
2649 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2650 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2651 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2652 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2653 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2654 like this:
2655
2656 @smallexample
2657 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2658 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2659 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2660 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2661 @end smallexample
2662 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2663 @c doesn't support threads"?
2664 @end quotation
2665
2666 @cindex focus of debugging
2667 @cindex current thread
2668 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2669 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2670 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2671 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2672 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2673
2674 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2675 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2676 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2677 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2678 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2679 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2680 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2681 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2682 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2683 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2684
2685 @smallexample
2686 [New Thread 46912507313328 (LWP 25582)]
2687 @end smallexample
2688
2689 @noindent
2690 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2691 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2692 further qualifier.
2693
2694 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2695 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2696 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2697 @c program?
2698 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2699 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2700 @c threads ab initio?
2701
2702 @cindex thread number
2703 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2704 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2705 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2706
2707 @table @code
2708 @kindex info threads
2709 @item info threads
2710 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2711 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2712
2713 @enumerate
2714 @item
2715 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2716
2717 @item
2718 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2719
2720 @item
2721 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2722 @end enumerate
2723
2724 @noindent
2725 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2726 indicates the current thread.
2727
2728 For example,
2729 @end table
2730 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2731
2732 @smallexample
2733 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2734 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2735 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2736 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2737 at threadtest.c:68
2738 @end smallexample
2739
2740 On HP-UX systems:
2741
2742 @cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2743 @cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2744 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2745 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2746 thread in your program.
2747
2748 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2749 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2750 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2751 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2752 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2753 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2754 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2755 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2756 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2757 HP-UX, you see
2758
2759 @smallexample
2760 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2761 @end smallexample
2762
2763 @noindent
2764 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2765
2766 @table @code
2767 @kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2768 @item info threads
2769 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2770 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2771
2772 @enumerate
2773 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2774
2775 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2776
2777 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2778 @end enumerate
2779
2780 @noindent
2781 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2782 indicates the current thread.
2783
2784 For example,
2785 @end table
2786 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2787
2788 @smallexample
2789 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2790 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2791 at quicksort.c:137
2792 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2793 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2794 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2795 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2796 @end smallexample
2797
2798 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2799 Solaris-specific command:
2800
2801 @table @code
2802 @item maint info sol-threads
2803 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2804 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2805 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2806 @end table
2807
2808 @table @code
2809 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2810 @item thread @var{threadno}
2811 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2812 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2813 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2814 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2815 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2816
2817 @smallexample
2818 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2819 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2820 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2821 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2822 @end smallexample
2823
2824 @noindent
2825 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2826 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2827 threads.
2828
2829 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2830 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2831 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2832 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2833 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2834 information on convenience variables.
2835
2836 @kindex thread apply
2837 @cindex apply command to several threads
2838 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{command}
2839 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2840 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2841 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2842 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2843 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2844 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2845 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2846
2847 @kindex set print thread-events
2848 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2849 @item set print thread-events
2850 @itemx set print thread-events on
2851 @itemx set print thread-events off
2852 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2853 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2854 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2855 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2856 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2857
2858 @kindex show print thread-events
2859 @item show print thread-events
2860 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2861 have started and exited.
2862 @end table
2863
2864 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2865 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2866 programs with multiple threads.
2867
2868 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2869 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2870
2871 @table @code
2872 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2873 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2874 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2875 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2876 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2877 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2878 an empty list.
2879
2880 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2881 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2882 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2883 to find @code{libthread_db}. If that fails, @value{GDBN} will continue
2884 with default system shared library directories, and finally the directory
2885 from which @code{libpthread} was loaded in the inferior process.
2886
2887 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2888 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2889 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2890 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2891 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2892 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2893 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2894
2895 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2896 only on some platforms.
2897
2898 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2899 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2900 Display current libthread_db search path.
2901
2902 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2903 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2904 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2905 @item set debug libthread-db
2906 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2907 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2908 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2909 @end table
2910
2911 @node Forks
2912 @section Debugging Forks
2913
2914 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2915 @cindex multiple processes
2916 @cindex processes, multiple
2917 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2918 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2919 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2920 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2921 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2922 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2923 will cause it to terminate.
2924
2925 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2926 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2927 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2928 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2929 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2930 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2931 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2932 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2933 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2934 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2935
2936 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2937 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2938 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2939 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2940
2941 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2942 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2943
2944 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2945 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2946
2947 @table @code
2948 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2949 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2950 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2951 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2952 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2953
2954 @table @code
2955 @item parent
2956 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2957 unimpeded. This is the default.
2958
2959 @item child
2960 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2961 unimpeded.
2962
2963 @end table
2964
2965 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2966 @item show follow-fork-mode
2967 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2968 @end table
2969
2970 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2971 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2972 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2973
2974 @table @code
2975 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2976 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2977 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2978 retain debugger control over them both.
2979
2980 @table @code
2981 @item on
2982 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2983 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2984 independently. This is the default.
2985
2986 @item off
2987 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2988 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2989 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2990 is held suspended.
2991
2992 @end table
2993
2994 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2995 @item show detach-on-fork
2996 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2997 @end table
2998
2999 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3000 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3001 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3002 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3003 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3004 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3005
3006 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3007 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferior}} command (allowing it
3008 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferior}}
3009 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3010 and Programs}.
3011
3012 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3013 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3014 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3015 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3016 the child process's @code{main}.
3017
3018 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3019 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3020
3021 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3022 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3023 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3024 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3025 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3026 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3027 command.
3028
3029 @table @code
3030 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3031 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3032
3033 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3034 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3035
3036 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3037
3038 @table @code
3039 @item new
3040 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3041 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3042 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3043 original inferior.
3044
3045 For example:
3046
3047 @smallexample
3048 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3049 (gdb) info inferior
3050 Id Description Executable
3051 * 1 <null> prog1
3052 (@value{GDBP}) run
3053 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3054 Program exited normally.
3055 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3056 Id Description Executable
3057 * 2 <null> prog2
3058 1 <null> prog1
3059 @end smallexample
3060
3061 @item same
3062 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3063 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3064 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3065 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3066 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3067
3068 For example:
3069
3070 @smallexample
3071 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3072 Id Description Executable
3073 * 1 <null> prog1
3074 (@value{GDBP}) run
3075 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3076 Program exited normally.
3077 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3078 Id Description Executable
3079 * 1 <null> prog2
3080 @end smallexample
3081
3082 @end table
3083 @end table
3084
3085 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3086 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3087 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3088
3089 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3090 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3091
3092 @cindex checkpoint
3093 @cindex restart
3094 @cindex bookmark
3095 @cindex snapshot of a process
3096 @cindex rewind program state
3097
3098 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3099 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3100 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3101 later.
3102
3103 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3104 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3105 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3106 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3107 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3108
3109 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3110 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3111 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3112 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3113 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3114 start again from there.
3115
3116 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3117 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3118
3119 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3120
3121 @table @code
3122 @kindex checkpoint
3123 @item checkpoint
3124 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3125 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3126 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3127
3128 @kindex info checkpoints
3129 @item info checkpoints
3130 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3131 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3132 listed:
3133
3134 @table @code
3135 @item Checkpoint ID
3136 @item Process ID
3137 @item Code Address
3138 @item Source line, or label
3139 @end table
3140
3141 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3142 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3143 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3144 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3145 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3146 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3147 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3148
3149 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3150 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3151 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3152 the debugger.
3153
3154 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3155 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3156 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3157
3158 @end table
3159
3160 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3161 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3162 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3163 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3164 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3165 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3166 previously read data can be read again.
3167
3168 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3169 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3170 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3171 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3172 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3173 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3174
3175 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3176 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3177 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3178 different execution path this time.
3179
3180 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3181 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3182 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3183 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3184 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3185 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3186 potentially pose a problem.
3187
3188 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3189
3190 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3191 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3192 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3193 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3194 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3195 next.
3196
3197 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3198 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3199 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3200 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3201 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3202
3203 @node Stopping
3204 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3205
3206 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3207 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3208 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3209
3210 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3211 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3212 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3213 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3214 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3215 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3216 explicitly request this information at any time.
3217
3218 @table @code
3219 @kindex info program
3220 @item info program
3221 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3222 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3223 @end table
3224
3225 @menu
3226 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3227 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3228 * Signals:: Signals
3229 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3230 @end menu
3231
3232 @node Breakpoints
3233 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3234
3235 @cindex breakpoints
3236 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3237 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3238 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3239 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3240 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3241 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3242 program.
3243
3244 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3245 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3246 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3247 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3248 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3249 call).
3250
3251 @cindex watchpoints
3252 @cindex data breakpoints
3253 @cindex memory tracing
3254 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3255 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3256 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3257 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3258 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3259 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3260 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3261 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3262 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3263 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3264 same commands.
3265
3266 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3267 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3268 Automatic Display}.
3269
3270 @cindex catchpoints
3271 @cindex breakpoint on events
3272 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3273 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3274 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3275 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3276 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3277 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3278 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3279
3280 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3281 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3282 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3283 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3284 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3285 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3286 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3287 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3288 enable it again.
3289
3290 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3291 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3292 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3293 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3294 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3295 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3296 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3297
3298 @menu
3299 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3300 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3301 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3302 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3303 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3304 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3305 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3306 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3307 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3308 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3309 @end menu
3310
3311 @node Set Breaks
3312 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3313
3314 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3315 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3316 @c
3317 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3318
3319 @kindex break
3320 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3321 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3322 @cindex latest breakpoint
3323 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3324 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3325 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3326 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3327 convenience variables.
3328
3329 @table @code
3330 @item break @var{location}
3331 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3332 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3333 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3334 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3335 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3336
3337 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3338 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3339 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3340 that situation.
3341
3342 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3343 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3344 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3345
3346 @item break
3347 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3348 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3349 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3350 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3351 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3352 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3353 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3354 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3355 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3356 inside loops.
3357
3358 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3359 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3360 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3361 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3362 existed when your program stopped.
3363
3364 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3365 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3366 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3367 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3368 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3369 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3370 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3371
3372 @kindex tbreak
3373 @item tbreak @var{args}
3374 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3375 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3376 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3377 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3378
3379 @kindex hbreak
3380 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3381 @item hbreak @var{args}
3382 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3383 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3384 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3385 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3386 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3387 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3388 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3389 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3390 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3391 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3392 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3393 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3394 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3395 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3396 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3397 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3398 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3399 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3400
3401 @kindex thbreak
3402 @item thbreak @var{args}
3403 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3404 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3405 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3406 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3407 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3408 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3409 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3410 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3411
3412 @kindex rbreak
3413 @cindex regular expression
3414 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3415 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3416 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3417 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3418 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3419 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3420 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3421 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3422 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3423
3424 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3425 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3426 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3427 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3428 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3429 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3430
3431 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3432 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3433 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3434 classes.
3435
3436 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3437 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3438 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3439
3440 @smallexample
3441 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3442 @end smallexample
3443
3444 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3445 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3446 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3447 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3448 every function in a given file:
3449
3450 @smallexample
3451 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3452 @end smallexample
3453
3454 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3455 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3456
3457 @kindex info breakpoints
3458 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3459 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3460 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3461 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3462 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3463 about the specified breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint). For
3464 each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3465
3466 @table @emph
3467 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3468 @item Type
3469 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3470 @item Disposition
3471 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3472 @item Enabled or Disabled
3473 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3474 that are not enabled.
3475 @item Address
3476 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3477 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3478 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3479 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3480 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3481 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3482 @item What
3483 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3484 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3485 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3486 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3487 @end table
3488
3489 @noindent
3490 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3491 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3492 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3493 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3494 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3495 valid location.
3496
3497 @noindent
3498 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3499 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3500 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3501 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3502 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3503
3504 @noindent
3505 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3506 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3507 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3508 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3509 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3510 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3511 @end table
3512
3513 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3514 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3515 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3516 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3517
3518 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3519 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3520 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3521 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3522
3523 @itemize @bullet
3524 @item
3525 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3526 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3527
3528 @item
3529 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3530 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3531
3532 @item
3533 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3534 several places where that function is inlined.
3535 @end itemize
3536
3537 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3538 the relevant locations@footnote{
3539 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3540 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3541 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3542 info with line numbers for them.}.
3543
3544 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3545 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3546 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3547 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3548 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3549 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3550 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3551
3552 For example:
3553
3554 @smallexample
3555 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3556 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3557 stop only if i==1
3558 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3559 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3560 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3561 @end smallexample
3562
3563 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3564 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3565 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3566 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3567 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3568 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3569 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3570 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3571 that belong to that breakpoint.
3572
3573 @cindex pending breakpoints
3574 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3575 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3576 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3577 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3578 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3579 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3580 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3581 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3582 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3583 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3584 is not yet resolved.
3585
3586 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3587 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3588 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3589 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3590 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3591 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3592
3593 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3594 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3595 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3596 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3597
3598 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3599 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3600 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3601
3602 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3603 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3604 address specification to an address:
3605
3606 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3607 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3608 @table @code
3609 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3610 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3611 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3612
3613 @item set breakpoint pending on
3614 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3615 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3616
3617 @item set breakpoint pending off
3618 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3619 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3620 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3621
3622 @item show breakpoint pending
3623 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3624 @end table
3625
3626 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3627 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3628 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3629
3630 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3631 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3632 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3633 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3634 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3635 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3636 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3637 breakpoints.
3638
3639 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3640
3641 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3642 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3643 @table @code
3644 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3645 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3646 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3647 breakpoint must be used.
3648
3649 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3650 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3651 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3652 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3653 @end table
3654
3655 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3656 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3657 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3658 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3659 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3660 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3661 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3662 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3663 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3664
3665 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3666 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3667 @table @code
3668 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3669 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3670 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3671 removed from the target when it stops.
3672
3673 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3674 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3675 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3676 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3677 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3678
3679 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3680 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3681 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3682 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3683 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3684 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3685 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3686 @end table
3687
3688 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3689 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3690 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3691 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3692 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3693 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3694 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3695 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3696
3697
3698 @node Set Watchpoints
3699 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3700
3701 @cindex setting watchpoints
3702 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3703 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3704 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3705 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3706 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3707
3708 @itemize @bullet
3709 @item
3710 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3711
3712 @item
3713 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3714 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3715 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3716
3717 @item
3718 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3719 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3720 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3721 @end itemize
3722
3723 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3724 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3725 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3726 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3727 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3728 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3729 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3730 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3731 the expression changes.
3732
3733 @cindex software watchpoints
3734 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3735 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3736 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3737 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3738 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3739 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3740 culprit.)
3741
3742 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3743 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3744 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3745
3746 @table @code
3747 @kindex watch
3748 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3749 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3750 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3751 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3752 to watch the value of a single variable:
3753
3754 @smallexample
3755 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3756 @end smallexample
3757
3758 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3759 clause, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3760 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3761 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3762 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3763 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3764
3765 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3766 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3767 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3768 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3769 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3770 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3771 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3772 error.
3773
3774 @kindex rwatch
3775 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3776 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3777 by the program.
3778
3779 @kindex awatch
3780 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3781 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3782 or written into by the program.
3783
3784 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3785 @item info watchpoints
3786 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3787 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3788 @end table
3789
3790 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3791 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3792 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3793 a never-changing value:
3794
3795 @smallexample
3796 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3797 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3798 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3799 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3800 @end smallexample
3801
3802 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3803 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3804 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3805 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3806 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3807 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3808
3809 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3810 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3811 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3812 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3813 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3814 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3815 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3816 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3817
3818 @table @code
3819 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3820 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3821 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3822
3823 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3824 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3825 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3826 @end table
3827
3828 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3829 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3830 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3831
3832 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3833
3834 @smallexample
3835 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3836 @end smallexample
3837
3838 @noindent
3839 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3840
3841 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3842 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3843 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3844 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3845 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3846 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3847 will print a message like this:
3848
3849 @smallexample
3850 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3851 @end smallexample
3852
3853 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3854 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3855 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3856 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3857 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3858 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3859 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3860 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3861
3862 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3863 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3864 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3865 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3866 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3867 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3868
3869 @smallexample
3870 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3871 @end smallexample
3872
3873 @noindent
3874 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3875
3876 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3877 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3878 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3879 expression with separately allocated resources.
3880
3881 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3882 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3883 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3884
3885 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3886 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3887 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3888 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3889 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3890 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3891 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3892 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3893 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3894
3895 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3896 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3897 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3898 watched expression from every thread.
3899
3900 @quotation
3901 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3902 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3903 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3904 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3905 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3906 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3907 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3908 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3909 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3910 @end quotation
3911
3912 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3913
3914 @node Set Catchpoints
3915 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3916 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3917 @cindex exception handlers
3918 @cindex event handling
3919
3920 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3921 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3922 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3923
3924 @table @code
3925 @kindex catch
3926 @item catch @var{event}
3927 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3928 @table @code
3929 @item throw
3930 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3931 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3932
3933 @item catch
3934 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3935
3936 @item exception
3937 @cindex Ada exception catching
3938 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3939 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3940 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3941 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3942 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3943
3944 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3945 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3946 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3947 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3948 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3949 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3950 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3951 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3952
3953 @item exception unhandled
3954 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3955
3956 @item assert
3957 A failed Ada assertion.
3958
3959 @item exec
3960 @cindex break on fork/exec
3961 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3962 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3963
3964 @item syscall
3965 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
3966 @cindex break on a system call.
3967 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3968 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3969 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3970 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3971 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3972 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3973 will be caught.
3974
3975 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3976 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3977 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3978 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3979
3980 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3981 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3982 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3983 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3984
3985 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3986 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3987 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3988 available choices.
3989
3990 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3991 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
3992 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
3993 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
3994 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
3995 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
3996 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
3997 behind the OS upgrades).
3998
3999 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4000 arguments to it:
4001
4002 @smallexample
4003 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4004 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4005 (@value{GDBP}) r
4006 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4007
4008 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4009 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4010 (@value{GDBP}) c
4011 Continuing.
4012
4013 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4014 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4015 (@value{GDBP})
4016 @end smallexample
4017
4018 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4019
4020 @smallexample
4021 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4022 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4023 (@value{GDBP}) r
4024 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4025
4026 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4027 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4028 (@value{GDBP}) c
4029 Continuing.
4030
4031 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4032 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4033 (@value{GDBP})
4034 @end smallexample
4035
4036 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4037 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4038 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4039
4040 @smallexample
4041 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4042 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4043 (@value{GDBP}) r
4044 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4045
4046 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4047 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4048 (@value{GDBP}) c
4049 Continuing.
4050
4051 Program exited normally.
4052 (@value{GDBP})
4053 @end smallexample
4054
4055 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4056 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4057 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4058 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4059
4060 @smallexample
4061 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4062 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4063 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4064 (@value{GDBP})
4065 @end smallexample
4066
4067 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4068 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4069 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4070 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4071 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4072 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4073
4074 @smallexample
4075 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4076 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4077 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4078 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4079 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4080 (@value{GDBP})
4081 @end smallexample
4082
4083 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4084
4085 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4086 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4087
4088 @smallexample
4089 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4090 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4091 @end smallexample
4092
4093 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4094
4095 @item fork
4096 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4097 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4098
4099 @item vfork
4100 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4101 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4102
4103 @end table
4104
4105 @item tcatch @var{event}
4106 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4107 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4108
4109 @end table
4110
4111 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4112
4113 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4114 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4115
4116 @itemize @bullet
4117 @item
4118 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4119 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4120 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4121 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4122 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4123 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4124 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4125 disabled within interactive calls.
4126
4127 @item
4128 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4129
4130 @item
4131 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4132 @end itemize
4133
4134 @cindex raise exceptions
4135 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4136 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4137 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4138 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4139 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4140 out where the exception was raised.
4141
4142 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4143 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4144 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4145 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4146
4147 @smallexample
4148 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4149 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4150 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4151 @end smallexample
4152
4153 @noindent
4154 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4155 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4156 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4157
4158 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4159 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4160 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4161 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4162 raised.
4163
4164
4165 @node Delete Breaks
4166 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4167
4168 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4169 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4170 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4171 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4172 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4173 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4174
4175 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4176 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4177 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4178 their breakpoint numbers.
4179
4180 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4181 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4182 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4183
4184 @table @code
4185 @kindex clear
4186 @item clear
4187 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4188 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4189 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4190 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4191
4192 @item clear @var{location}
4193 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4194 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4195 most useful ones are listed below:
4196
4197 @table @code
4198 @item clear @var{function}
4199 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4200 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4201
4202 @item clear @var{linenum}
4203 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4204 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4205 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4206 @end table
4207
4208 @cindex delete breakpoints
4209 @kindex delete
4210 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4211 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4212 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4213 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4214 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4215 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4216 @end table
4217
4218 @node Disabling
4219 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4220
4221 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4222 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4223 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4224 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4225 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4226
4227 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4228 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4229 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4230 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4231 do not know which numbers to use.
4232
4233 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4234 affects all of its locations.
4235
4236 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4237 states of enablement:
4238
4239 @itemize @bullet
4240 @item
4241 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4242 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4243 @item
4244 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4245 @item
4246 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4247 disabled.
4248 @item
4249 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4250 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4251 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4252 @end itemize
4253
4254 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4255 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4256
4257 @table @code
4258 @kindex disable
4259 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4260 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4261 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4262 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4263 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4264 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4265 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4266
4267 @kindex enable
4268 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4269 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4270 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4271
4272 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4273 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4274 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4275
4276 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4277 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4278 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4279 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4280 @end table
4281
4282 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4283 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4284 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4285 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4286 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4287 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4288 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4289 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4290 Stepping}.)
4291
4292 @node Conditions
4293 @subsection Break Conditions
4294 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4295 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4296
4297 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4298 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4299 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4300 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4301 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4302 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4303 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4304 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4305
4306 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4307 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4308 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4309 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4310 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4311
4312 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4313 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4314 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4315 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4316 one.
4317
4318 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4319 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4320 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4321 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4322 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4323 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4324 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4325 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4326 conditions for the
4327 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4328 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4329
4330 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4331 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4332 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4333 with the @code{condition} command.
4334
4335 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4336 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4337 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4338 catchpoint.
4339
4340 @table @code
4341 @kindex condition
4342 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4343 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4344 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4345 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4346 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4347 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4348 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4349 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4350 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4351 prints an error message:
4352
4353 @smallexample
4354 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4355 @end smallexample
4356
4357 @noindent
4358 @value{GDBN} does
4359 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4360 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4361 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4362
4363 @item condition @var{bnum}
4364 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4365 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4366 @end table
4367
4368 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4369 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4370 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4371 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4372 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4373 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4374 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4375 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4376 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4377 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4378 your program reaches it.
4379
4380 @table @code
4381 @kindex ignore
4382 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4383 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4384 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4385 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4386 takes no action.
4387
4388 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4389 a count of zero.
4390
4391 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4392 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4393 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4394 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4395
4396 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4397 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4398 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4399
4400 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4401 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4402 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4403 Variables}.
4404 @end table
4405
4406 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4407
4408
4409 @node Break Commands
4410 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4411
4412 @cindex breakpoint commands
4413 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4414 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4415 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4416 enable other breakpoints.
4417
4418 @table @code
4419 @kindex commands
4420 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4421 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4422 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4423 @itemx end
4424 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4425 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4426 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4427
4428 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4429 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4430
4431 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4432 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4433 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4434 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4435 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4436 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4437 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4438 Expressions}).
4439 @end table
4440
4441 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4442 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4443
4444 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4445 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4446 that resumes execution.
4447
4448 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4449 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4450 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4451 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4452 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4453
4454 @kindex silent
4455 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4456 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4457 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4458 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4459 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4460 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4461
4462 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4463 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4464 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4465
4466 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4467 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4468
4469 @smallexample
4470 break foo if x>0
4471 commands
4472 silent
4473 printf "x is %d\n",x
4474 cont
4475 end
4476 @end smallexample
4477
4478 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4479 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4480 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4481 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4482 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4483 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4484 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4485
4486 @smallexample
4487 break 403
4488 commands
4489 silent
4490 set x = y + 4
4491 cont
4492 end
4493 @end smallexample
4494
4495 @node Save Breakpoints
4496 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4497
4498 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4499 breakpoints}} command.
4500
4501 @table @code
4502 @kindex save breakpoints
4503 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4504 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4505 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4506 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4507 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4508 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4509 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4510 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4511 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4512 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4513 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4514 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4515 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4516 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4517 that can no longer be recreated.
4518 @end table
4519
4520 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4521 @node Error in Breakpoints
4522 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4523
4524 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4525 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4526
4527 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4528 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4529 @smallexample
4530 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4531 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4532 @end smallexample
4533
4534 @noindent
4535 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4536 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4537 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4538
4539 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4540 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4541
4542 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4543 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4544 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4545
4546 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4547 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4548 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4549 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4550
4551 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4552 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4553 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4554 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4555 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4556 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4557 first in the bundle.
4558
4559 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4560 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4561 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4562 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4563 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4564 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4565 is hit.
4566
4567 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4568 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4569
4570 @smallexample
4571 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4572 @end smallexample
4573
4574 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4575 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4576 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4577 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4578 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4579 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4580 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4581 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4582
4583 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4584 adjusted breakpoints:
4585
4586 @smallexample
4587 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4588 to 0x00010410.
4589 @end smallexample
4590
4591 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4592 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4593 frequently than expected.
4594
4595 @node Continuing and Stepping
4596 @section Continuing and Stepping
4597
4598 @cindex stepping
4599 @cindex continuing
4600 @cindex resuming execution
4601 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4602 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4603 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4604 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4605 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4606 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4607 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4608 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4609
4610 @table @code
4611 @kindex continue
4612 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4613 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4614 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4615 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4616 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4617 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4618 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4619 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4620 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4621 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4622
4623 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4624 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4625 @code{continue} is ignored.
4626
4627 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4628 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4629 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4630 @code{continue}.
4631 @end table
4632
4633 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4634 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4635 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4636 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4637
4638 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4639 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4640 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4641 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4642 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4643 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4644
4645 @table @code
4646 @kindex step
4647 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4648 @item step
4649 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4650 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4651 abbreviated @code{s}.
4652
4653 @quotation
4654 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4655 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4656 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4657 @c distinction here.
4658 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4659 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4660 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4661 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4662 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4663 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4664 below.
4665 @end quotation
4666
4667 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4668 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4669 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4670 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4671 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4672 called within the line.
4673
4674 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4675 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4676 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4677 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4678 was any debugging information about the routine.
4679
4680 @item step @var{count}
4681 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4682 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4683 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4684
4685 @kindex next
4686 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4687 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4688 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4689 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4690 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4691 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4692 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4693 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4694
4695 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4696
4697
4698 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4699 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4700 @c
4701 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4702 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4703 @c function are executed without stopping.
4704
4705 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4706 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4707 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4708
4709 @kindex set step-mode
4710 @item set step-mode
4711 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4712 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4713 @itemx set step-mode on
4714 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4715 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4716 information rather than stepping over it.
4717
4718 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4719 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4720 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4721
4722 @item set step-mode off
4723 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4724 debug information. This is the default.
4725
4726 @item show step-mode
4727 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4728 source line debug information.
4729
4730 @kindex finish
4731 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4732 @item finish
4733 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4734 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4735 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4736
4737 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4738 ,Returning from a Function}).
4739
4740 @kindex until
4741 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4742 @cindex run until specified location
4743 @item until
4744 @itemx u
4745 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4746 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4747 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4748 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4749 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4750 than the address of the jump.
4751
4752 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4753 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4754 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4755 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4756 through the next iteration.
4757
4758 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4759 stack frame.
4760
4761 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4762 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4763 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4764 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4765 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4766
4767 @smallexample
4768 (@value{GDBP}) f
4769 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4770 206 expand_input();
4771 (@value{GDBP}) until
4772 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4773 @end smallexample
4774
4775 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4776 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4777 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4778 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4779 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4780 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4781 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4782
4783 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4784 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4785 argument.
4786
4787 @item until @var{location}
4788 @itemx u @var{location}
4789 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4790 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4791 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4792 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4793 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4794 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4795 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4796 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4797 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4798 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4799 invocations have returned.
4800
4801 @smallexample
4802 94 int factorial (int value)
4803 95 @{
4804 96 if (value > 1) @{
4805 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4806 98 @}
4807 99 return (value);
4808 100 @}
4809 @end smallexample
4810
4811
4812 @kindex advance @var{location}
4813 @itemx advance @var{location}
4814 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4815 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4816 @ref{Specify Location}.
4817 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4818 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4819 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4820 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4821
4822
4823 @kindex stepi
4824 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4825 @item stepi
4826 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4827 @itemx si
4828 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4829
4830 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4831 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4832 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4833 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4834
4835 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4836
4837 @need 750
4838 @kindex nexti
4839 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4840 @item nexti
4841 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4842 @itemx ni
4843 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4844 proceed until the function returns.
4845
4846 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4847 @end table
4848
4849 @node Signals
4850 @section Signals
4851 @cindex signals
4852
4853 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4854 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4855 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4856 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4857 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4858 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4859 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4860 requested an alarm).
4861
4862 @cindex fatal signals
4863 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4864 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4865 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4866 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4867 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4868 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4869
4870 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4871 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4872 signal.
4873
4874 @cindex handling signals
4875 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4876 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4877 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4878 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4879 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4880
4881 @table @code
4882 @kindex info signals
4883 @kindex info handle
4884 @item info signals
4885 @itemx info handle
4886 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4887 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4888 the defined types of signals.
4889
4890 @item info signals @var{sig}
4891 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4892
4893 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4894
4895 @kindex handle
4896 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4897 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4898 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4899 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4900 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4901 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4902 say what change to make.
4903 @end table
4904
4905 @c @group
4906 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4907 Their full names are:
4908
4909 @table @code
4910 @item nostop
4911 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4912 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4913
4914 @item stop
4915 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4916 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4917
4918 @item print
4919 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4920
4921 @item noprint
4922 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4923 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4924
4925 @item pass
4926 @itemx noignore
4927 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4928 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4929 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4930
4931 @item nopass
4932 @itemx ignore
4933 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4934 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4935 @end table
4936 @c @end group
4937
4938 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4939 program until you
4940 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4941 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4942 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4943 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4944 program sees that signal when you continue.
4945
4946 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4947 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4948 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4949 erroneous signals.
4950
4951 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4952 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4953 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4954 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4955 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4956 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4957 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4958 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4959 Program a Signal}.
4960
4961 @cindex extra signal information
4962 @anchor{extra signal information}
4963
4964 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4965 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4966 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4967 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4968 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4969 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4970 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4971 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4972 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4973 system header.
4974
4975 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4976 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4977
4978 @smallexample
4979 @group
4980 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4981 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4982 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4983 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4984 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4985 type = struct @{
4986 int si_signo;
4987 int si_errno;
4988 int si_code;
4989 union @{
4990 int _pad[28];
4991 struct @{...@} _kill;
4992 struct @{...@} _timer;
4993 struct @{...@} _rt;
4994 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4995 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4996 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4997 @} _sifields;
4998 @}
4999 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5000 type = struct @{
5001 void *si_addr;
5002 @}
5003 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5004 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5005 @end group
5006 @end smallexample
5007
5008 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5009
5010 @node Thread Stops
5011 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5012
5013 @cindex stopped threads
5014 @cindex threads, stopped
5015
5016 @cindex continuing threads
5017 @cindex threads, continuing
5018
5019 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5020 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5021 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5022 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5023 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5024 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5025 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5026 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5027 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5028
5029 @menu
5030 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5031 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5032 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5033 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5034 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5035 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5036 @end menu
5037
5038 @node All-Stop Mode
5039 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5040
5041 @cindex all-stop mode
5042
5043 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5044 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5045 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5046 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5047 underfoot.
5048
5049 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5050 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5051 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5052
5053 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5054 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5055 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5056 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5057 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5058 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5059 stops.
5060
5061 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5062 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5063 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5064 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5065
5066 @cindex automatic thread selection
5067 @cindex switching threads automatically
5068 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5069 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5070 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5071 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5072 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5073 thread.
5074
5075 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5076 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5077
5078 @table @code
5079 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5080 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5081 @cindex lock scheduler
5082 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5083 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5084 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5085 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5086 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5087 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5088 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5089 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5090 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5091 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5092 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5093 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5094
5095 @item show scheduler-locking
5096 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5097 @end table
5098
5099 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5100 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5101 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5102 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5103 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5104 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5105 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5106 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5107 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5108 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5109 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5110 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5111 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5112 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5113
5114 @table @code
5115 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5116 @item set schedule-multiple
5117 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5118 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5119 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5120 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5121 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5122 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5123
5124 @item show schedule-multiple
5125 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5126 multiple processes.
5127 @end table
5128
5129 @node Non-Stop Mode
5130 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5131
5132 @cindex non-stop mode
5133
5134 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5135 @c with more details.
5136
5137 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5138 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5139 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5140 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5141 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5142 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5143
5144 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5145 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5146 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5147 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5148 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5149 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5150 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5151 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5152 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5153 independently and simultaneously.
5154
5155 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5156 or attach to your program:
5157
5158 @smallexample
5159 # Enable the async interface.
5160 set target-async 1
5161
5162 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5163 set pagination off
5164
5165 # Finally, turn it on!
5166 set non-stop on
5167 @end smallexample
5168
5169 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5170
5171 @table @code
5172 @kindex set non-stop
5173 @item set non-stop on
5174 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5175 @item set non-stop off
5176 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5177 @kindex show non-stop
5178 @item show non-stop
5179 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5180 @end table
5181
5182 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5183 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5184 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5185 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5186 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5187 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5188 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5189 default.
5190
5191 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5192 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5193 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5194
5195 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5196 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5197 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5198 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5199 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5200
5201 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5202 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5203 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5204 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5205 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5206
5207 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5208
5209 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5210 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5211 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5212 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5213 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5214 previously current thread.
5215
5216 @node Background Execution
5217 @subsection Background Execution
5218
5219 @cindex foreground execution
5220 @cindex background execution
5221 @cindex asynchronous execution
5222 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5223
5224 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5225 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5226 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5227 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5228 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5229 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5230
5231 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5232 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5233 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5234
5235 @table @code
5236 @kindex set target-async
5237 @item set target-async on
5238 Enable asynchronous mode.
5239 @item set target-async off
5240 Disable asynchronous mode.
5241 @kindex show target-async
5242 @item show target-async
5243 Show the current target-async setting.
5244 @end table
5245
5246 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5247 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5248
5249 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5250 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5251 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5252 are:
5253
5254 @table @code
5255 @kindex run&
5256 @item run
5257 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5258
5259 @item attach
5260 @kindex attach&
5261 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5262
5263 @item step
5264 @kindex step&
5265 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5266
5267 @item stepi
5268 @kindex stepi&
5269 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5270
5271 @item next
5272 @kindex next&
5273 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5274
5275 @item nexti
5276 @kindex nexti&
5277 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5278
5279 @item continue
5280 @kindex continue&
5281 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5282
5283 @item finish
5284 @kindex finish&
5285 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5286
5287 @item until
5288 @kindex until&
5289 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5290
5291 @end table
5292
5293 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5294 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5295 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5296 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5297 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5298 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5299
5300 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5301 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5302
5303 @table @code
5304 @kindex interrupt
5305 @item interrupt
5306 @itemx interrupt -a
5307
5308 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5309 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5310 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5311 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5312 @end table
5313
5314 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5315 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5316
5317 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5318 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5319 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5320
5321 @table @code
5322 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5323 @cindex thread breakpoints
5324 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5325 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5326 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5327 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5328 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5329 specify some source line.
5330
5331 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5332 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5333 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5334 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5335 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5336
5337 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5338 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5339 program.
5340
5341 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5342 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5343 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5344
5345 @smallexample
5346 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5347 @end smallexample
5348
5349 @end table
5350
5351 @node Interrupted System Calls
5352 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5353
5354 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5355 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5356 @cindex premature return from system calls
5357 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5358 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5359 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5360 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5361 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5362 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5363 stop execution.
5364
5365 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5366 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5367 style anyways.
5368
5369 For example, do not write code like this:
5370
5371 @smallexample
5372 sleep (10);
5373 @end smallexample
5374
5375 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5376 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5377
5378 Instead, write this:
5379
5380 @smallexample
5381 int unslept = 10;
5382 while (unslept > 0)
5383 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5384 @end smallexample
5385
5386 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5387 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5388 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5389 @value{GDBN}.
5390
5391 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5392 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5393 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5394 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5395
5396 @node Observer Mode
5397 @subsection Observer Mode
5398
5399 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5400 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5401 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5402 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5403 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5404
5405 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5406 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5407 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5408 mode.
5409
5410 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5411 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5412 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5413 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5414 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5415
5416 @table @code
5417
5418 @kindex observer
5419 @item set observer on
5420 @itemx set observer off
5421 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5422 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5423 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5424 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5425
5426 @item show observer
5427 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5428
5429 @kindex may-write-registers
5430 @item set may-write-registers on
5431 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5432 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5433 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5434 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5435
5436 @item show may-write-registers
5437 Show the current permission to write registers.
5438
5439 @kindex may-write-memory
5440 @item set may-write-memory on
5441 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5442 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5443 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5444 defaults to @code{on}.
5445
5446 @item show may-write-memory
5447 Show the current permission to write memory.
5448
5449 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5450 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5451 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5452 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5453 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5454 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5455
5456 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5457 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5458
5459 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5460 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5461 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5462 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5463 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5464 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5465 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5466
5467 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5468 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5469
5470 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5471 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5472 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5473 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5474 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5475 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5476 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5477
5478 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5479 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5480
5481 @kindex may-interrupt
5482 @item set may-interrupt on
5483 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5484 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5485 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5486 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5487 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5488
5489 @item show may-interrupt
5490 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5491
5492 @end table
5493
5494 @node Reverse Execution
5495 @chapter Running programs backward
5496 @cindex reverse execution
5497 @cindex running programs backward
5498
5499 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5500 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5501 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5502 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5503
5504 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5505 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5506 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5507 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5508 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5509 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5510
5511 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5512 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5513 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5514 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5515 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5516 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5517 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5518 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5519 prior values@footnote{
5520 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5521 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5522 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5523
5524 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5525 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5526 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5527 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5528 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5529 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5530 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5531 }.
5532
5533 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5534 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5535
5536 @table @code
5537 @kindex reverse-continue
5538 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5539 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5540 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5541 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5542 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5543 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5544 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5545
5546 @kindex reverse-step
5547 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5548 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5549 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5550 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5551
5552 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5553 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5554 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5555 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5556 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5557 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5558
5559 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5560 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5561
5562 @kindex reverse-stepi
5563 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5564 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5565 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5566 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5567 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5568 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5569 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5570
5571 @kindex reverse-next
5572 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5573 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5574 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5575 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5576 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5577 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5578 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5579 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5580 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5581 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5582
5583 @kindex reverse-nexti
5584 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5585 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5586 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5587 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5588 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5589 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5590 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5591 frame) is reached.
5592
5593 @kindex reverse-finish
5594 @item reverse-finish
5595 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5596 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5597 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5598 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5599
5600 @kindex set exec-direction
5601 @item set exec-direction
5602 Set the direction of target execution.
5603 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5604 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5605 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5606 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5607 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5608 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5609 @item set exec-direction forward
5610 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5611 This is the default.
5612 @end table
5613
5614
5615 @node Process Record and Replay
5616 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5617 @cindex process record and replay
5618 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5619
5620 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5621 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5622 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5623
5624 @cindex replay mode
5625 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5626 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5627 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5628 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5629 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5630 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5631 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5632 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5633 execution log.
5634
5635 @cindex record mode
5636 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5637 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5638 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5639 for future replay.
5640
5641 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5642 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5643 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5644 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5645 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5646 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5647
5648 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5649 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5650 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5651 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5652
5653 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5654 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5655
5656 @table @code
5657 @kindex target record
5658 @kindex record
5659 @kindex rec
5660 @item target record
5661 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5662 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5663 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5664 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5665 the @kbd{target record} command.
5666
5667 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5668
5669 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5670 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5671 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5672 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5673 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5674
5675 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5676 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5677 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5678 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5679 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5680 support these two modes.
5681
5682 @kindex record stop
5683 @kindex rec s
5684 @item record stop
5685 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5686 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5687 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5688
5689 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5690 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5691 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5692 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5693 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5694
5695 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5696 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5697 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5698 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5699 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5700
5701 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5702 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5703
5704 @kindex record save
5705 @item record save @var{filename}
5706 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5707 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
5708 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
5709
5710 @kindex record restore
5711 @item record restore @var{filename}
5712 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5713 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
5714
5715 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5716 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5717 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5718
5719 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5720 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5721 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5722 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5723 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5724 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5725 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5726 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5727
5728 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5729 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5730 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5731
5732 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5733 @item show record insn-number-max
5734 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5735
5736 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5737 @item set record stop-at-limit
5738 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5739 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5740 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5741 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5742 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5743 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5744
5745 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5746 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5747
5748 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5749 @item show record stop-at-limit
5750 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5751
5752 @kindex set record memory-query
5753 @item set record memory-query
5754 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
5755 changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
5756 whether to stop the inferior in that case.
5757
5758 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
5759 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
5760 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
5761 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
5762 results.
5763
5764 @kindex show record memory-query
5765 @item show record memory-query
5766 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
5767
5768 @kindex info record
5769 @item info record
5770 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5771 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5772
5773 @itemize @bullet
5774 @item
5775 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5776 @item
5777 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5778 @item
5779 Highest recorded instruction number.
5780 @item
5781 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5782 @item
5783 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5784 @item
5785 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5786 @end itemize
5787
5788 @kindex record delete
5789 @kindex rec del
5790 @item record delete
5791 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5792 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5793 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5794 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5795 @end table
5796
5797
5798 @node Stack
5799 @chapter Examining the Stack
5800
5801 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5802 stopped and how it got there.
5803
5804 @cindex call stack
5805 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5806 is generated.
5807 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5808 the arguments of the call,
5809 and the local variables of the function being called.
5810 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5811 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5812 stack}.
5813
5814 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5815 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5816
5817 @cindex selected frame
5818 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5819 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5820 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5821 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5822 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5823 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5824
5825 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5826 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5827 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5828
5829 @menu
5830 * Frames:: Stack frames
5831 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5832 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5833 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5834
5835 @end menu
5836
5837 @node Frames
5838 @section Stack Frames
5839
5840 @cindex frame, definition
5841 @cindex stack frame
5842 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5843 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5844 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5845 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5846 which the function is executing.
5847
5848 @cindex initial frame
5849 @cindex outermost frame
5850 @cindex innermost frame
5851 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5852 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5853 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5854 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5855 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5856 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5857 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5858 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5859
5860 @cindex frame pointer
5861 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5862 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5863 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5864 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5865 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5866 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5867
5868 @cindex frame number
5869 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5870 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5871 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5872 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5873 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5874
5875 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5876 @c underflow problems.
5877 @cindex frameless execution
5878 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5879 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5880 @smallexample
5881 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5882 @end smallexample
5883 generates functions without a frame.)
5884 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5885 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5886 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5887 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5888 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5889 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5890 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5891
5892 @table @code
5893 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5894 @cindex current stack frame
5895 @item frame @var{args}
5896 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5897 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5898 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5899 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5900
5901 @kindex select-frame
5902 @cindex selecting frame silently
5903 @item select-frame
5904 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5905 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5906 @code{frame}.
5907 @end table
5908
5909 @node Backtrace
5910 @section Backtraces
5911
5912 @cindex traceback
5913 @cindex call stack traces
5914 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5915 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5916 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5917 stack.
5918
5919 @table @code
5920 @kindex backtrace
5921 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5922 @item backtrace
5923 @itemx bt
5924 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5925 frames in the stack.
5926
5927 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5928 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5929
5930 @item backtrace @var{n}
5931 @itemx bt @var{n}
5932 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5933
5934 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5935 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5936 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5937
5938 @item backtrace full
5939 @itemx bt full
5940 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5941 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5942 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5943 number of frames to print, as described above.
5944 @end table
5945
5946 @kindex where
5947 @kindex info stack
5948 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5949 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5950
5951 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5952 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5953 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5954 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5955 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5956 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5957 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5958 multi-threaded program.
5959
5960 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5961 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5962 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5963 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5964 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5965 line number.
5966
5967 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5968 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5969
5970 @smallexample
5971 @group
5972 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5973 at builtin.c:993
5974 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5975 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5976 at macro.c:71
5977 (More stack frames follow...)
5978 @end group
5979 @end smallexample
5980
5981 @noindent
5982 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5983 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5984 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5985
5986 @noindent
5987 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5988 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5989 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5990 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5991 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5992
5993 @cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
5994 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5995 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5996 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5997 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5998 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5999 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6000 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6001 such a backtrace might look like:
6002
6003 @smallexample
6004 @group
6005 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6006 at builtin.c:993
6007 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6008 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6009 at macro.c:71
6010 (More stack frames follow...)
6011 @end group
6012 @end smallexample
6013
6014 @noindent
6015 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6016 shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
6017
6018 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6019 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6020 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6021
6022 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6023 @cindex program entry point
6024 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6025 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6026 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6027 @code{main}@footnote{
6028 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6029 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6030 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6031 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6032 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6033 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6034
6035 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6036 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6037
6038 @table @code
6039 @item set backtrace past-main
6040 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6041 @kindex set backtrace
6042 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6043
6044 @item set backtrace past-main off
6045 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6046 default.
6047
6048 @item show backtrace past-main
6049 @kindex show backtrace
6050 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6051
6052 @item set backtrace past-entry
6053 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6054 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6055 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6056 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6057
6058 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6059 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6060 application. This is the default.
6061
6062 @item show backtrace past-entry
6063 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6064
6065 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6066 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6067 @cindex backtrace limit
6068 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6069 unlimited.
6070
6071 @item show backtrace limit
6072 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6073 @end table
6074
6075 @node Selection
6076 @section Selecting a Frame
6077
6078 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6079 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6080 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6081 of the stack frame just selected.
6082
6083 @table @code
6084 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6085 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6086 @item frame @var{n}
6087 @itemx f @var{n}
6088 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6089 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6090 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6091 @code{main}.
6092
6093 @item frame @var{addr}
6094 @itemx f @var{addr}
6095 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6096 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6097 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6098 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6099 switches between them.
6100
6101 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6102 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6103
6104 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6105 pointer and a program counter.
6106
6107 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6108 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6109
6110 @kindex up
6111 @item up @var{n}
6112 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6113 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6114 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6115
6116 @kindex down
6117 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6118 @item down @var{n}
6119 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6120 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6121 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6122 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6123 @end table
6124
6125 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6126 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6127 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6128 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6129
6130 @need 1000
6131 For example:
6132
6133 @smallexample
6134 @group
6135 (@value{GDBP}) up
6136 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6137 at env.c:10
6138 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6139 @end group
6140 @end smallexample
6141
6142 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6143 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6144 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6145 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6146 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6147 for details.
6148
6149 @table @code
6150 @kindex down-silently
6151 @kindex up-silently
6152 @item up-silently @var{n}
6153 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6154 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6155 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6156 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6157 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6158 distracting.
6159 @end table
6160
6161 @node Frame Info
6162 @section Information About a Frame
6163
6164 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6165 stack frame.
6166
6167 @table @code
6168 @item frame
6169 @itemx f
6170 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6171 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6172 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6173 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6174 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6175
6176 @kindex info frame
6177 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6178 @item info frame
6179 @itemx info f
6180 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6181 including:
6182
6183 @itemize @bullet
6184 @item
6185 the address of the frame
6186 @item
6187 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6188 @item
6189 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6190 @item
6191 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6192 @item
6193 the address of the frame's arguments
6194 @item
6195 the address of the frame's local variables
6196 @item
6197 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6198 @item
6199 which registers were saved in the frame
6200 @end itemize
6201
6202 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6203 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6204 the usual conventions.
6205
6206 @item info frame @var{addr}
6207 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6208 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6209 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6210 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6211 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6212 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6213
6214 @kindex info args
6215 @item info args
6216 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6217
6218 @item info locals
6219 @kindex info locals
6220 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6221 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6222 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6223
6224 @kindex info catch
6225 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
6226 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
6227 @item info catch
6228 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
6229 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
6230 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
6231 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
6232 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
6233
6234 @end table
6235
6236
6237 @node Source
6238 @chapter Examining Source Files
6239
6240 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6241 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6242 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6243 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6244 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6245 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6246 source files by explicit command.
6247
6248 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6249 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6250 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6251
6252 @menu
6253 * List:: Printing source lines
6254 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6255 * Edit:: Editing source files
6256 * Search:: Searching source files
6257 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6258 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6259 @end menu
6260
6261 @node List
6262 @section Printing Source Lines
6263
6264 @kindex list
6265 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6266 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6267 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6268 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6269 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6270
6271 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6272
6273 @table @code
6274 @item list @var{linenum}
6275 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6276 current source file.
6277
6278 @item list @var{function}
6279 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6280 @var{function}.
6281
6282 @item list
6283 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6284 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6285 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6286 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6287 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6288
6289 @item list -
6290 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6291 @end table
6292
6293 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6294 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6295 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6296
6297 @table @code
6298 @kindex set listsize
6299 @item set listsize @var{count}
6300 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6301 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6302
6303 @kindex show listsize
6304 @item show listsize
6305 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6306 @end table
6307
6308 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6309 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6310 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6311 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6312 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6313
6314 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6315 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6316 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6317 to specify some source line.
6318
6319 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6320
6321 @table @code
6322 @item list @var{linespec}
6323 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6324
6325 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6326 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6327 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6328 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6329 the same source file as the first linespec.
6330
6331 @item list ,@var{last}
6332 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6333
6334 @item list @var{first},
6335 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6336
6337 @item list +
6338 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6339
6340 @item list -
6341 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6342
6343 @item list
6344 As described in the preceding table.
6345 @end table
6346
6347 @node Specify Location
6348 @section Specifying a Location
6349 @cindex specifying location
6350 @cindex linespec
6351
6352 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6353 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6354 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6355 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6356
6357 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6358 @value{GDBN} understands:
6359
6360 @table @code
6361 @item @var{linenum}
6362 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6363
6364 @item -@var{offset}
6365 @itemx +@var{offset}
6366 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6367 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6368 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6369 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6370 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6371 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6372 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6373 linespec.
6374
6375 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6376 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6377
6378 @item @var{function}
6379 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6380 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6381
6382 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6383 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6384 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6385 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6386 functions in different source files.
6387
6388 @item @var{label}
6389 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6390 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6391 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6392 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6393 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6394
6395 @item *@var{address}
6396 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6397 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6398 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6399 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6400 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6401 source files.
6402
6403 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6404 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6405 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6406 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6407 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6408 of @var{address}:
6409
6410 @table @code
6411 @item @var{expression}
6412 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6413
6414 @item @var{funcaddr}
6415 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6416 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6417 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6418 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6419 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6420 (although the Pascal form also works).
6421
6422 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6423 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6424
6425 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6426 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6427 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6428 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6429 functions with identical names in different source files.
6430 @end table
6431
6432 @end table
6433
6434
6435 @node Edit
6436 @section Editing Source Files
6437 @cindex editing source files
6438
6439 @kindex edit
6440 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6441 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6442 The editing program of your choice
6443 is invoked with the current line set to
6444 the active line in the program.
6445 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6446 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6447
6448 @table @code
6449 @item edit @var{location}
6450 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6451 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6452 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6453 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6454 command most commonly used:
6455
6456 @table @code
6457 @item edit @var{number}
6458 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6459
6460 @item edit @var{function}
6461 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6462 @end table
6463
6464 @end table
6465
6466 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6467 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6468 @footnote{
6469 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6470 following command-line syntax:
6471 @smallexample
6472 ex +@var{number} file
6473 @end smallexample
6474 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6475 the file where to start editing.}.
6476 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6477 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6478 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6479 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6480 @smallexample
6481 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6482 export EDITOR
6483 gdb @dots{}
6484 @end smallexample
6485 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6486 @smallexample
6487 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6488 gdb @dots{}
6489 @end smallexample
6490
6491 @node Search
6492 @section Searching Source Files
6493 @cindex searching source files
6494
6495 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6496 regular expression.
6497
6498 @table @code
6499 @kindex search
6500 @kindex forward-search
6501 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6502 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6503 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6504 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6505 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6506 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6507 @code{fo}.
6508
6509 @kindex reverse-search
6510 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6511 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6512 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6513 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6514 this command as @code{rev}.
6515 @end table
6516
6517 @node Source Path
6518 @section Specifying Source Directories
6519
6520 @cindex source path
6521 @cindex directories for source files
6522 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6523 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6524 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6525 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6526 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6527 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6528 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6529
6530 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6531 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6532 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6533 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6534 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6535 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6536 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6537 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6538 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6539 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6540 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6541
6542 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6543 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6544 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6545 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6546 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6547 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6548
6549 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6550 source files.
6551
6552 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6553 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6554 each line is in the file.
6555
6556 @kindex directory
6557 @kindex dir
6558 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6559 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6560 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6561
6562 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6563 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6564
6565 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6566 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6567 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6568 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6569 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6570 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6571 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6572 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6573 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6574 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6575 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6576 name to look up the sources.
6577
6578 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6579 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6580 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6581 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6582 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6583 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6584 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6585 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6586
6587 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6588 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6589 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6590 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6591 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6592 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6593 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6594
6595 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6596 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6597 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6598 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6599 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6600 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6601 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6602 command.
6603
6604 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6605 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6606 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6607 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6608 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6609 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6610 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6611
6612 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6613 @cindex default source path substitution
6614 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6615 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6616 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6617 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6618 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6619 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6620 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6621 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6622 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6623 together.
6624
6625 @table @code
6626 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6627 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6628 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6629 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6630 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6631 part of absolute file names) or
6632 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6633 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6634
6635 @kindex cdir
6636 @kindex cwd
6637 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6638 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6639 @cindex compilation directory
6640 @cindex current directory
6641 @cindex working directory
6642 @cindex directory, current
6643 @cindex directory, compilation
6644 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6645 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6646 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6647 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6648 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6649 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6650
6651 @item directory
6652 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6653
6654 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6655 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6656
6657 @item set directories @var{path-list}
6658 @kindex set directories
6659 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
6660 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
6661
6662 @item show directories
6663 @kindex show directories
6664 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6665
6666 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6667 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6668 @kindex set substitute-path
6669 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6670 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6671 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6672
6673 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6674 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6675
6676 @smallexample
6677 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6678 @end smallexample
6679
6680 @noindent
6681 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6682 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6683 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6684
6685 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6686 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6687 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6688 the substitution.
6689
6690 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6691
6692 @smallexample
6693 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6694 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6695 @end smallexample
6696
6697 @noindent
6698 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6699 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6700 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6701 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6702
6703
6704 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6705 @kindex unset substitute-path
6706 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6707 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6708 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6709
6710 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6711
6712 @item show substitute-path [path]
6713 @kindex show substitute-path
6714 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6715 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6716
6717 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6718 rules.
6719
6720 @end table
6721
6722 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6723 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6724 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6725
6726 @enumerate
6727 @item
6728 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6729
6730 @item
6731 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6732 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6733 directories in one command.
6734 @end enumerate
6735
6736 @node Machine Code
6737 @section Source and Machine Code
6738 @cindex source line and its code address
6739
6740 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6741 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6742 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6743 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6744 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6745 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6746 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6747 well as hex.
6748
6749 @table @code
6750 @kindex info line
6751 @item info line @var{linespec}
6752 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6753 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6754 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6755 @end table
6756
6757 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6758 the object code for the first line of function
6759 @code{m4_changequote}:
6760
6761 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6762 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6763 @smallexample
6764 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6765 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6766 @end smallexample
6767
6768 @noindent
6769 @cindex code address and its source line
6770 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6771 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6772 @smallexample
6773 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6774 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6775 @end smallexample
6776
6777 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6778 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6779 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6780 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6781 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6782 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6783 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6784 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6785 Variables}).
6786
6787 @table @code
6788 @kindex disassemble
6789 @cindex assembly instructions
6790 @cindex instructions, assembly
6791 @cindex machine instructions
6792 @cindex listing machine instructions
6793 @item disassemble
6794 @itemx disassemble /m
6795 @itemx disassemble /r
6796 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6797 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6798 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6799 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6800 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6801 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6802 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6803 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6804 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6805 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
6806
6807 @table @code
6808 @item @var{start},@var{end}
6809 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
6810 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
6811 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
6812 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
6813 @end table
6814
6815 @noindent
6816 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
6817 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
6818
6819 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6820 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6821
6822 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6823 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6824 @end table
6825
6826 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6827 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6828
6829 @smallexample
6830 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6831 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6832 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6833 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6834 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6835 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6836 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6837 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6838 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6839 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6840 End of assembler dump.
6841 @end smallexample
6842
6843 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6844 program is stopped just after function prologue:
6845
6846 @smallexample
6847 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6848 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6849 5 @{
6850 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6851 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6852 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6853 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6854 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6855
6856 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6857 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6858 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6859
6860 7 return 0;
6861 8 @}
6862 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6863 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6864 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6865
6866 End of assembler dump.
6867 @end smallexample
6868
6869 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
6870
6871 @smallexample
6872 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
6873 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
6874 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
6875 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
6876 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
6877 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
6878 End of assembler dump.
6879 @end smallexample
6880
6881 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6882 mnemonics or other syntax.
6883
6884 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6885 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6886 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6887 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6888 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6889
6890 @table @code
6891 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6892 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6893 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6894 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6895 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6896 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6897
6898 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6899 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6900 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6901 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6902
6903 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6904 @item show disassembly-flavor
6905 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6906 @end table
6907
6908 @table @code
6909 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6910 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6911 @item set disassemble-next-line
6912 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6913 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6914 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6915 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6916 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6917 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6918 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6919 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6920 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6921 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6922 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6923 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6924 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6925 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6926 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6927 instruction.
6928 @end table
6929
6930
6931 @node Data
6932 @chapter Examining Data
6933
6934 @cindex printing data
6935 @cindex examining data
6936 @kindex print
6937 @kindex inspect
6938 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6939 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6940 @c different window or something like that.
6941 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6942 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6943 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6944 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6945 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
6946 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
6947
6948 @table @code
6949 @item print @var{expr}
6950 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6951 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6952 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6953 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6954 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6955 Formats}.
6956
6957 @item print
6958 @itemx print /@var{f}
6959 @cindex reprint the last value
6960 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6961 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6962 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6963 @end table
6964
6965 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6966 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6967 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6968
6969 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6970 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6971 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6972 Table}.
6973
6974 @menu
6975 * Expressions:: Expressions
6976 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6977 * Variables:: Program variables
6978 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6979 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6980 * Memory:: Examining memory
6981 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6982 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6983 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
6984 * Value History:: Value history
6985 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6986 * Registers:: Registers
6987 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6988 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6989 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6990 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6991 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6992 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6993 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6994 character set than GDB does
6995 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6996 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
6997 @end menu
6998
6999 @node Expressions
7000 @section Expressions
7001
7002 @cindex expressions
7003 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7004 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7005 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
7006 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
7007 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
7008 you compiled your program to include this information; see
7009 @ref{Compilation}.
7010
7011 @cindex arrays in expressions
7012 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
7013 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
7014 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7015 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7016 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7017 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7018
7019 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7020 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7021 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7022 languages.
7023
7024 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7025 expressions regardless of your programming language.
7026
7027 @cindex casts, in expressions
7028 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7029 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7030 at that address in memory.
7031 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7032
7033 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7034 to programming languages:
7035
7036 @table @code
7037 @item @@
7038 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7039 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7040
7041 @item ::
7042 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7043 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7044
7045 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7046 @cindex type casting memory
7047 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7048 @cindex casts, to view memory
7049 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7050 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7051 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7052 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7053 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7054 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7055 @end table
7056
7057 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7058 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7059 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7060
7061 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7062 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7063 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7064 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7065 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7066 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7067 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7068
7069 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7070 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7071 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7072 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7073 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7074 as well.
7075
7076 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7077 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7078 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7079 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7080 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7081 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7082 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7083 choices.
7084
7085 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7086 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7087 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7088
7089 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7090 @smallexample
7091 @group
7092 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7093 [0] cancel
7094 [1] all
7095 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7096 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7097 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7098 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7099 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7100 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7101 > 2 4 6
7102 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7103 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7104 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7105 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7106 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7107 breakpoints.
7108 (@value{GDBP})
7109 @end group
7110 @end smallexample
7111
7112 @table @code
7113 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7114 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7115 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7116
7117 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7118 is ambiguous.
7119
7120 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7121 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7122 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7123 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7124 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7125 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7126 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7127 in the use of the menu.
7128
7129 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7130 when an ambiguity is detected.
7131
7132 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7133 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7134
7135 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7136 @item show multiple-symbols
7137 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7138 @end table
7139
7140 @node Variables
7141 @section Program Variables
7142
7143 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7144 in your program.
7145
7146 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7147 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7148
7149 @itemize @bullet
7150 @item
7151 global (or file-static)
7152 @end itemize
7153
7154 @noindent or
7155
7156 @itemize @bullet
7157 @item
7158 visible according to the scope rules of the
7159 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7160 @end itemize
7161
7162 @noindent This means that in the function
7163
7164 @smallexample
7165 foo (a)
7166 int a;
7167 @{
7168 bar (a);
7169 @{
7170 int b = test ();
7171 bar (b);
7172 @}
7173 @}
7174 @end smallexample
7175
7176 @noindent
7177 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7178 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7179 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7180 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7181
7182 @cindex variable name conflict
7183 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7184 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7185 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7186 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7187 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7188 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
7189 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7190
7191 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7192 @ifnotinfo
7193 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7194 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7195 @end ifnotinfo
7196 @smallexample
7197 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7198 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7199 @end smallexample
7200
7201 @noindent
7202 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7203 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7204 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7205 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7206
7207 @smallexample
7208 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7209 @end smallexample
7210
7211 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7212 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7213 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7214 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7215 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7216 @c conflict?? --mew
7217
7218 @cindex wrong values
7219 @cindex variable values, wrong
7220 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7221 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7222 @quotation
7223 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7224 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7225 scope, and just before exit.
7226 @end quotation
7227 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7228 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7229 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7230 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7231 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7232 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7233 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7234 variable definitions may be gone.
7235
7236 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7237 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7238 when compiling.
7239
7240 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7241 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7242 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7243 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7244 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7245 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7246 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7247
7248 @smallexample
7249 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7250 @end smallexample
7251
7252 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7253 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7254 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
7255 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
7256 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
7257 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
7258 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
7259 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
7260 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
7261 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
7262 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7263
7264 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7265 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7266 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7267 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7268
7269 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7270 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7271 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7272 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7273 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7274 For program code
7275
7276 @smallexample
7277 char var0[] = "A";
7278 signed char var1[] = "A";
7279 @end smallexample
7280
7281 You get during debugging
7282 @smallexample
7283 (gdb) print var0
7284 $1 = "A"
7285 (gdb) print var1
7286 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7287 @end smallexample
7288
7289 @node Arrays
7290 @section Artificial Arrays
7291
7292 @cindex artificial array
7293 @cindex arrays
7294 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7295 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7296 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7297 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7298 program.
7299
7300 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7301 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7302 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7303 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7304 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7305 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7306 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7307 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7308 example. If a program says
7309
7310 @smallexample
7311 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7312 @end smallexample
7313
7314 @noindent
7315 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7316
7317 @smallexample
7318 p *array@@len
7319 @end smallexample
7320
7321 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7322 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7323 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7324 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7325 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7326
7327 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7328 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7329 The value need not be in memory:
7330 @smallexample
7331 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7332 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7333 @end smallexample
7334
7335 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7336 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7337 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7338 @smallexample
7339 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7340 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7341 @end smallexample
7342
7343 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7344 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7345 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7346 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7347 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7348 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7349 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7350 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7351 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7352 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7353
7354 @smallexample
7355 set $i = 0
7356 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7357 @key{RET}
7358 @key{RET}
7359 @dots{}
7360 @end smallexample
7361
7362 @node Output Formats
7363 @section Output Formats
7364
7365 @cindex formatted output
7366 @cindex output formats
7367 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7368 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7369 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7370 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7371 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7372
7373 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7374 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7375 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7376 letters supported are:
7377
7378 @table @code
7379 @item x
7380 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7381 hexadecimal.
7382
7383 @item d
7384 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7385
7386 @item u
7387 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7388
7389 @item o
7390 Print as integer in octal.
7391
7392 @item t
7393 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7394 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7395 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7396 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7397
7398 @item a
7399 @cindex unknown address, locating
7400 @cindex locate address
7401 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7402 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7403 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7404
7405 @smallexample
7406 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7407 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7408 @end smallexample
7409
7410 @noindent
7411 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7412 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7413
7414 @item c
7415 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7416 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7417 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7418 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7419
7420 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7421 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7422 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7423 data.
7424
7425 @item f
7426 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7427 using typical floating point syntax.
7428
7429 @item s
7430 @cindex printing strings
7431 @cindex printing byte arrays
7432 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7433 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7434 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7435 natural types.
7436
7437 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7438 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7439 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7440 array.
7441
7442 @item r
7443 @cindex raw printing
7444 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7445 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
7446 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
7447 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
7448 pretty-printer which might exist.
7449 @end table
7450
7451 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7452
7453 @smallexample
7454 p/x $pc
7455 @end smallexample
7456
7457 @noindent
7458 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7459 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7460
7461 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7462 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7463 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7464
7465 @node Memory
7466 @section Examining Memory
7467
7468 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7469 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7470
7471 @cindex examining memory
7472 @table @code
7473 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7474 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7475 @itemx x @var{addr}
7476 @itemx x
7477 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7478 @end table
7479
7480 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7481 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7482 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7483 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7484 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7485
7486 @table @r
7487 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7488 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7489 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7490 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7491 @c 4.1.2.
7492
7493 @item @var{f}, the display format
7494 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7495 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7496 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7497 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7498 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7499
7500 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7501 The unit size is any of
7502
7503 @table @code
7504 @item b
7505 Bytes.
7506 @item h
7507 Halfwords (two bytes).
7508 @item w
7509 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7510 @item g
7511 Giant words (eight bytes).
7512 @end table
7513
7514 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7515 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
7516 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
7517 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
7518 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
7519 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
7520 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
7521 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
7522 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
7523 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
7524 be altered.
7525
7526 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7527 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7528 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7529 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7530 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7531 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7532 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7533 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7534 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7535 a value from memory).
7536 @end table
7537
7538 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7539 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7540 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7541 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7542 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7543
7544 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7545 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7546 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7547 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7548 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7549
7550 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7551 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7552 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7553 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7554 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7555 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7556 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7557 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7558 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7559
7560 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7561 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7562 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7563 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7564 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7565 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7566 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7567
7568 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7569 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7570
7571 @smallexample
7572 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7573 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7574 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7575 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7576 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7577 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7578 @end smallexample
7579
7580 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7581 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7582 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7583 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7584 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7585 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7586 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7587 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7588 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7589
7590 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7591 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7592 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7593
7594 @cindex remote memory comparison
7595 @cindex verify remote memory image
7596 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7597 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7598 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7599 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7600 situations.
7601
7602 @table @code
7603 @kindex compare-sections
7604 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7605 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7606 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7607 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7608 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7609 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7610 remote request.
7611 @end table
7612
7613 @node Auto Display
7614 @section Automatic Display
7615 @cindex automatic display
7616 @cindex display of expressions
7617
7618 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7619 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7620 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7621 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7622 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7623 The automatic display looks like this:
7624
7625 @smallexample
7626 2: foo = 38
7627 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7628 @end smallexample
7629
7630 @noindent
7631 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7632 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7633 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7634 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7635 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7636 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7637
7638 @table @code
7639 @kindex display
7640 @item display @var{expr}
7641 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7642 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7643
7644 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7645
7646 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7647 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7648 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7649 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7650 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7651
7652 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7653 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7654 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7655 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7656 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7657 @end table
7658
7659 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7660 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7661 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7662
7663 @table @code
7664 @kindex delete display
7665 @kindex undisplay
7666 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7667 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7668 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
7669
7670 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7671 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7672
7673 @kindex disable display
7674 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7675 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7676 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7677 enabled again later.
7678
7679 @kindex enable display
7680 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7681 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7682 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7683
7684 @item display
7685 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7686 done when your program stops.
7687
7688 @kindex info display
7689 @item info display
7690 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7691 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7692 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7693 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7694 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7695 @end table
7696
7697 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7698 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7699 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7700 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7701 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7702 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7703 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7704 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7705 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7706 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7707 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7708
7709 @node Print Settings
7710 @section Print Settings
7711
7712 @cindex format options
7713 @cindex print settings
7714 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7715 and symbols are printed.
7716
7717 @noindent
7718 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7719
7720 @table @code
7721 @kindex set print
7722 @item set print address
7723 @itemx set print address on
7724 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7725 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7726 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7727 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7728 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7729 @code{set print address on}:
7730
7731 @smallexample
7732 @group
7733 (@value{GDBP}) f
7734 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7735 at input.c:530
7736 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7737 @end group
7738 @end smallexample
7739
7740 @item set print address off
7741 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7742 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7743
7744 @smallexample
7745 @group
7746 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7747 (@value{GDBP}) f
7748 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7749 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7750 @end group
7751 @end smallexample
7752
7753 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7754 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7755 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7756 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7757
7758 @kindex show print
7759 @item show print address
7760 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7761 @end table
7762
7763 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7764 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7765 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7766 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7767 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7768 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7769 it prints a symbolic address:
7770
7771 @table @code
7772 @item set print symbol-filename on
7773 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7774 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7775 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7776 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7777
7778 @item set print symbol-filename off
7779 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7780 default.
7781
7782 @item show print symbol-filename
7783 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7784 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7785 @end table
7786
7787 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7788 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7789 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7790
7791 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7792 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7793
7794 @table @code
7795 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7796 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7797 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7798 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7799 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7800 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7801
7802 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7803 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7804 symbolic address.
7805 @end table
7806
7807 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7808 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7809 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7810 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7811 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7812 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7813 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7814 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7815
7816 @smallexample
7817 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7818 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7819 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7820 @end smallexample
7821
7822 @quotation
7823 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7824 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7825 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7826 @end quotation
7827
7828 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7829
7830 @table @code
7831 @item set print array
7832 @itemx set print array on
7833 @cindex pretty print arrays
7834 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7835 but uses more space. The default is off.
7836
7837 @item set print array off
7838 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7839
7840 @item show print array
7841 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7842 arrays.
7843
7844 @cindex print array indexes
7845 @item set print array-indexes
7846 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7847 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7848 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7849 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7850
7851 @item set print array-indexes off
7852 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7853
7854 @item show print array-indexes
7855 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7856 arrays.
7857
7858 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7859 @cindex number of array elements to print
7860 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7861 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7862 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7863 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7864 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7865 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7866 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7867
7868 @item show print elements
7869 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7870 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7871
7872 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7873 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7874 @cindex printing frame argument values
7875 @cindex print all frame argument values
7876 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7877 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7878 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7879 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7880 values are:
7881
7882 @table @code
7883 @item all
7884 The values of all arguments are printed.
7885
7886 @item scalars
7887 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7888 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7889 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7890 only scalar arguments are shown:
7891
7892 @smallexample
7893 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7894 at frame-args.c:23
7895 @end smallexample
7896
7897 @item none
7898 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7899 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7900
7901 @smallexample
7902 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7903 at frame-args.c:23
7904 @end smallexample
7905 @end table
7906
7907 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7908 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7909 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7910 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7911 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7912 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7913 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7914 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7915 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7916 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7917
7918 @item show print frame-arguments
7919 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7920
7921 @item set print repeats
7922 @cindex repeated array elements
7923 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7924 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7925 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7926 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7927 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7928 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7929 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7930
7931 @item show print repeats
7932 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7933 elements.
7934
7935 @item set print null-stop
7936 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7937 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7938 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7939 contain only short strings.
7940 The default is off.
7941
7942 @item show print null-stop
7943 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7944 @sc{null} character.
7945
7946 @item set print pretty on
7947 @cindex print structures in indented form
7948 @cindex indentation in structure display
7949 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7950 per line, like this:
7951
7952 @smallexample
7953 @group
7954 $1 = @{
7955 next = 0x0,
7956 flags = @{
7957 sweet = 1,
7958 sour = 1
7959 @},
7960 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7961 @}
7962 @end group
7963 @end smallexample
7964
7965 @item set print pretty off
7966 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7967
7968 @smallexample
7969 @group
7970 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7971 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7972 @end group
7973 @end smallexample
7974
7975 @noindent
7976 This is the default format.
7977
7978 @item show print pretty
7979 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7980
7981 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
7982 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7983 @cindex octal escapes in strings
7984 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
7985 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
7986 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
7987 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
7988 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
7989
7990 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
7991 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
7992 international character sets, and is the default.
7993
7994 @item show print sevenbit-strings
7995 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
7996
7997 @item set print union on
7998 @cindex unions in structures, printing
7999 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
8000 and other unions. This is the default setting.
8001
8002 @item set print union off
8003 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
8004 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
8005 instead.
8006
8007 @item show print union
8008 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
8009 structures and other unions.
8010
8011 For example, given the declarations
8012
8013 @smallexample
8014 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
8015 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
8016 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
8017 Bug_forms;
8018
8019 struct thing @{
8020 Species it;
8021 union @{
8022 Tree_forms tree;
8023 Bug_forms bug;
8024 @} form;
8025 @};
8026
8027 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
8028 @end smallexample
8029
8030 @noindent
8031 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
8032
8033 @smallexample
8034 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
8035 @end smallexample
8036
8037 @noindent
8038 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
8039
8040 @smallexample
8041 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
8042 @end smallexample
8043
8044 @noindent
8045 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
8046 and in Pascal.
8047 @end table
8048
8049 @need 1000
8050 @noindent
8051 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
8052
8053 @table @code
8054 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
8055 @item set print demangle
8056 @itemx set print demangle on
8057 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
8058 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
8059 linkage. The default is on.
8060
8061 @item show print demangle
8062 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
8063
8064 @item set print asm-demangle
8065 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
8066 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
8067 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
8068 The default is off.
8069
8070 @item show print asm-demangle
8071 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
8072 or demangled form.
8073
8074 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
8075 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
8076 @kindex set demangle-style
8077 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
8078 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
8079 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
8080
8081 @table @code
8082 @item auto
8083 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8084
8085 @item gnu
8086 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8087 This is the default.
8088
8089 @item hp
8090 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8091
8092 @item lucid
8093 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8094
8095 @item arm
8096 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8097 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8098 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8099 require further enhancement to permit that.
8100
8101 @end table
8102 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8103
8104 @item show demangle-style
8105 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8106
8107 @item set print object
8108 @itemx set print object on
8109 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8110 @cindex display derived types
8111 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8112 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8113 the virtual function table.
8114
8115 @item set print object off
8116 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8117 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8118
8119 @item show print object
8120 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8121
8122 @item set print static-members
8123 @itemx set print static-members on
8124 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8125 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8126
8127 @item set print static-members off
8128 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8129
8130 @item show print static-members
8131 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8132
8133 @item set print pascal_static-members
8134 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8135 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8136 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8137 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8138
8139 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8140 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8141
8142 @item show print pascal_static-members
8143 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8144
8145 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8146 @item set print vtbl
8147 @itemx set print vtbl on
8148 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8149 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8150 @cindex VTBL display
8151 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8152 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8153 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8154
8155 @item set print vtbl off
8156 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8157
8158 @item show print vtbl
8159 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8160 @end table
8161
8162 @node Pretty Printing
8163 @section Pretty Printing
8164
8165 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8166 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8167 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8168
8169 @menu
8170 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
8171 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
8172 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
8173 @end menu
8174
8175 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
8176 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
8177
8178 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
8179 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
8180 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
8181
8182 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
8183 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
8184 pretty-printers with their names.
8185 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
8186 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
8187 Each such subprinter has its own name.
8188 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
8189
8190 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
8191 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
8192 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
8193 do anything special.
8194
8195 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
8196
8197 @itemize @bullet
8198 @item
8199 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
8200 all inferiors.
8201
8202 @item
8203 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
8204 when debugging that program.
8205 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
8206
8207 @item
8208 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
8209 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
8210 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
8211 @end itemize
8212
8213 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
8214 pretty-printers are selected,
8215
8216 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
8217 for new types.
8218
8219 @node Pretty-Printer Example
8220 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
8221
8222 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
8223
8224 @smallexample
8225 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8226 $1 = @{
8227 static npos = 4294967295,
8228 _M_dataplus = @{
8229 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
8230 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
8231 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
8232 @},
8233 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
8234 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
8235 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
8236 @}
8237 @}
8238 @end smallexample
8239
8240 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
8241
8242 @smallexample
8243 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8244 $2 = "abcd"
8245 @end smallexample
8246
8247 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
8248 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
8249 @cindex pretty-printer commands
8250
8251 @table @code
8252 @kindex info pretty-printer
8253 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8254 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
8255 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
8256
8257 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
8258 whose pretty-printers to list.
8259 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
8260 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
8261 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
8262 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
8263 looks up a printer from these three objects.
8264
8265 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
8266 to list.
8267
8268 @kindex disable pretty-printer
8269 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8270 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8271 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
8272
8273 @kindex enable pretty-printer
8274 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8275 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8276 @end table
8277
8278 Example:
8279
8280 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
8281 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
8282 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
8283 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
8284
8285 @smallexample
8286 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8287 library1.so:
8288 foo
8289 library2.so:
8290 bar
8291 bar1
8292 bar2
8293 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8294 library2.so:
8295 bar
8296 bar1
8297 bar2
8298 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
8299 1 printer disabled
8300 2 of 3 printers enabled
8301 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8302 library1.so:
8303 foo [disabled]
8304 library2.so:
8305 bar
8306 bar1
8307 bar2
8308 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
8309 1 printer disabled
8310 1 of 3 printers enabled
8311 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8312 library1.so:
8313 foo [disabled]
8314 library2.so:
8315 bar
8316 bar1 [disabled]
8317 bar2
8318 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
8319 1 printer disabled
8320 0 of 3 printers enabled
8321 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8322 library1.so:
8323 foo [disabled]
8324 library2.so:
8325 bar [disabled]
8326 bar1 [disabled]
8327 bar2
8328 @end smallexample
8329
8330 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
8331 as can each individual subprinter.
8332
8333 @node Value History
8334 @section Value History
8335
8336 @cindex value history
8337 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
8338 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
8339 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
8340 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
8341 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
8342 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
8343 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
8344 symbol table.
8345
8346 @cindex @code{$}
8347 @cindex @code{$$}
8348 @cindex history number
8349 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
8350 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
8351 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
8352 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
8353 history number.
8354
8355 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
8356 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
8357 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
8358 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
8359 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
8360 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
8361 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
8362
8363 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
8364 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
8365
8366 @smallexample
8367 p *$
8368 @end smallexample
8369
8370 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
8371 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
8372
8373 @smallexample
8374 p *$.next
8375 @end smallexample
8376
8377 @noindent
8378 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
8379 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
8380
8381 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
8382 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
8383
8384 @smallexample
8385 print x
8386 set x=5
8387 @end smallexample
8388
8389 @noindent
8390 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
8391 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
8392
8393 @table @code
8394 @kindex show values
8395 @item show values
8396 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
8397 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
8398 values} does not change the history.
8399
8400 @item show values @var{n}
8401 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
8402
8403 @item show values +
8404 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
8405 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
8406 @end table
8407
8408 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
8409 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
8410
8411 @node Convenience Vars
8412 @section Convenience Variables
8413
8414 @cindex convenience variables
8415 @cindex user-defined variables
8416 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
8417 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
8418 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
8419 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
8420 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
8421
8422 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
8423 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
8424 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8425 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
8426 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
8427
8428 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
8429 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
8430 For example:
8431
8432 @smallexample
8433 set $foo = *object_ptr
8434 @end smallexample
8435
8436 @noindent
8437 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
8438 @code{object_ptr}.
8439
8440 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
8441 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
8442 value with another assignment at any time.
8443
8444 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
8445 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
8446 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
8447 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
8448
8449 @table @code
8450 @kindex show convenience
8451 @cindex show all user variables
8452 @item show convenience
8453 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
8454 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
8455
8456 @kindex init-if-undefined
8457 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
8458 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
8459 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
8460 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
8461 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8462 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8463 override default values used in a command script.
8464
8465 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8466 any side-effects do not occur.
8467 @end table
8468
8469 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8470 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8471 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8472
8473 @smallexample
8474 set $i = 0
8475 print bar[$i++]->contents
8476 @end smallexample
8477
8478 @noindent
8479 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8480
8481 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8482 values likely to be useful.
8483
8484 @table @code
8485 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8486 @item $_
8487 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8488 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8489 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8490 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8491 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8492 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8493 to the type of @code{$__}.
8494
8495 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8496 @item $__
8497 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8498 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8499 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8500
8501 @item $_exitcode
8502 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8503 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8504 the program being debugged terminates.
8505
8506 @item $_sdata
8507 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
8508 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
8509 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
8510 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
8511 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
8512
8513 @item $_siginfo
8514 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8515 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8516 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8517 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8518 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8519
8520 @item $_tlb
8521 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
8522 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
8523 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
8524 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
8525 @xref{General Query Packets}.
8526 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
8527
8528 @end table
8529
8530 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8531 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8532 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8533
8534 @cindex convenience functions
8535 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8536 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8537 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8538 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8539 @value{GDBN}.
8540
8541 @table @code
8542 @item help function
8543 @kindex help function
8544 @cindex show all convenience functions
8545 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8546 @end table
8547
8548 @node Registers
8549 @section Registers
8550
8551 @cindex registers
8552 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8553 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8554 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8555 your machine.
8556
8557 @table @code
8558 @kindex info registers
8559 @item info registers
8560 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8561 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8562
8563 @kindex info all-registers
8564 @cindex floating point registers
8565 @item info all-registers
8566 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8567 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8568
8569 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8570 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8571 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8572 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8573 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8574 @end table
8575
8576 @cindex stack pointer register
8577 @cindex program counter register
8578 @cindex process status register
8579 @cindex frame pointer register
8580 @cindex standard registers
8581 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8582 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8583 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8584 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8585 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8586 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8587 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8588 you could print the program counter in hex with
8589
8590 @smallexample
8591 p/x $pc
8592 @end smallexample
8593
8594 @noindent
8595 or print the instruction to be executed next with
8596
8597 @smallexample
8598 x/i $pc
8599 @end smallexample
8600
8601 @noindent
8602 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8603 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8604 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8605 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8606 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8607 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8608 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8609
8610 @smallexample
8611 set $sp += 4
8612 @end smallexample
8613
8614 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8615 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8616 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8617 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8618 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8619 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8620 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8621
8622 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8623 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8624 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8625 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8626 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8627 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8628 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8629
8630 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8631 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8632 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8633 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8634 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8635 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8636 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8637 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8638 prints the data in both formats.
8639
8640 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
8641 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
8642 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8643 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8644 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8645 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8646 registers in @code{struct} notation:
8647
8648 @smallexample
8649 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8650 $1 = @{
8651 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8652 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8653 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8654 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8655 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8656 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8657 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8658 @}
8659 @end smallexample
8660
8661 @noindent
8662 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8663 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8664 value to a @code{struct} member:
8665
8666 @smallexample
8667 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8668 @end smallexample
8669
8670 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8671 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8672 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8673 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8674 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8675 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8676
8677 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8678 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8679 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8680 frame makes no difference.
8681
8682 @node Floating Point Hardware
8683 @section Floating Point Hardware
8684 @cindex floating point
8685
8686 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8687 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8688
8689 @table @code
8690 @kindex info float
8691 @item info float
8692 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8693 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8694 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8695 the ARM and x86 machines.
8696 @end table
8697
8698 @node Vector Unit
8699 @section Vector Unit
8700 @cindex vector unit
8701
8702 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8703 more information about the status of the vector unit.
8704
8705 @table @code
8706 @kindex info vector
8707 @item info vector
8708 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8709 layout vary depending on the hardware.
8710 @end table
8711
8712 @node OS Information
8713 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8714 @cindex OS information
8715
8716 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8717 you debug your program.
8718
8719 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8720 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
8721 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8722 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8723 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8724 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8725 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8726 structure.
8727
8728 @table @code
8729 @item info udot
8730 @kindex info udot
8731 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8732 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8733 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8734 the @code{examine} command.
8735 @end table
8736
8737 @cindex auxiliary vector
8738 @cindex vector, auxiliary
8739 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8740 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8741 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8742 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8743 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8744 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8745 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8746 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8747 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8748 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8749 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8750
8751 @table @code
8752 @kindex info auxv
8753 @item info auxv
8754 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8755 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8756 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8757 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8758 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8759 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8760 an unrecognized tag.
8761 @end table
8762
8763 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8764 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8765 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8766 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8767
8768 @table @code
8769 @kindex info os
8770 @item info os
8771 List the types of OS information available for the target. If the
8772 target does not return a list of possible types, this command will
8773 report an error.
8774
8775 @kindex info os processes
8776 @item info os processes
8777 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8778 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8779 the command corresponding to the process.
8780 @end table
8781
8782 @node Memory Region Attributes
8783 @section Memory Region Attributes
8784 @cindex memory region attributes
8785
8786 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8787 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8788 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8789 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8790 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8791 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8792 user can override the fetched regions.
8793
8794 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8795 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8796 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8797 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8798 all memory.
8799
8800 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8801 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8802
8803 @table @code
8804 @kindex mem
8805 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8806 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8807 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8808 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8809 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8810 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8811
8812 @item mem auto
8813 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8814 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8815
8816 @kindex delete mem
8817 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8818 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8819 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8820
8821 @kindex disable mem
8822 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8823 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8824 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8825 It may be enabled again later.
8826
8827 @kindex enable mem
8828 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8829 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8830
8831 @kindex info mem
8832 @item info mem
8833 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8834 for each region:
8835
8836 @table @emph
8837 @item Memory Region Number
8838 @item Enabled or Disabled.
8839 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8840 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8841
8842 @item Lo Address
8843 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8844
8845 @item Hi Address
8846 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8847
8848 @item Attributes
8849 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8850 @end table
8851 @end table
8852
8853
8854 @subsection Attributes
8855
8856 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8857 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8858 write accesses to a memory region.
8859
8860 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8861 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8862 etc.@: from accessing memory.
8863
8864 @table @code
8865 @item ro
8866 Memory is read only.
8867 @item wo
8868 Memory is write only.
8869 @item rw
8870 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8871 @end table
8872
8873 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
8874 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8875 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8876 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8877 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8878
8879 @table @code
8880 @item 8
8881 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8882 @item 16
8883 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8884 @item 32
8885 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8886 @item 64
8887 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8888 @end table
8889
8890 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8891 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8892 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8893 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8894 @c
8895 @c @table @code
8896 @c @item hwbreak
8897 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8898 @c @item swbreak (default)
8899 @c @end table
8900
8901 @subsubsection Data Cache
8902 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8903 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8904 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8905 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8906 registers.
8907
8908 @table @code
8909 @item cache
8910 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8911 @item nocache
8912 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8913 @end table
8914
8915 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8916 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8917 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8918 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8919 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8920
8921 @table @code
8922 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8923 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8924 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8925 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8926 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8927 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8928 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8929 The default value is @code{on}.
8930 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8931 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8932 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8933 @end table
8934
8935
8936 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8937 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8938 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8939 @c
8940 @c @table @code
8941 @c @item verify
8942 @c @item noverify (default)
8943 @c @end table
8944
8945 @node Dump/Restore Files
8946 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8947 @cindex dump/restore files
8948 @cindex append data to a file
8949 @cindex dump data to a file
8950 @cindex restore data from a file
8951
8952 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8953 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8954 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8955 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8956 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8957 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8958 files.
8959
8960 @table @code
8961
8962 @kindex dump
8963 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8964 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8965 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8966 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8967
8968 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8969 @table @code
8970 @item binary
8971 Raw binary form.
8972 @item ihex
8973 Intel hex format.
8974 @item srec
8975 Motorola S-record format.
8976 @item tekhex
8977 Tektronix Hex format.
8978 @end table
8979
8980 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
8981 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
8982 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
8983 form.
8984
8985 @kindex append
8986 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8987 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8988 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8989 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
8990 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
8991
8992 @kindex restore
8993 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
8994 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
8995 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
8996 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
8997 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
8998
8999 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
9000 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
9001 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
9002 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
9003 from that location.
9004
9005 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
9006 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
9007 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
9008 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
9009
9010 @end table
9011
9012 @node Core File Generation
9013 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
9014 @cindex dump core from inferior
9015
9016 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
9017 image of a running process and its process status (register values
9018 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
9019 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
9020 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
9021 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
9022 the post-mortem debugging mode.
9023
9024 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
9025 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
9026 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
9027
9028 @table @code
9029 @kindex gcore
9030 @kindex generate-core-file
9031 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
9032 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
9033 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
9034 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
9035 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
9036 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
9037
9038 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
9039 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
9040 @end table
9041
9042 @node Character Sets
9043 @section Character Sets
9044 @cindex character sets
9045 @cindex charset
9046 @cindex translating between character sets
9047 @cindex host character set
9048 @cindex target character set
9049
9050 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
9051 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
9052 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
9053 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
9054 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
9055 @dfn{target character set}.
9056
9057 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
9058 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
9059 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
9060 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
9061 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
9062 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
9063 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
9064 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
9065 character and string literals in expressions.
9066
9067 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
9068 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
9069 target-charset} command, described below.
9070
9071 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
9072 support:
9073
9074 @table @code
9075 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
9076 @kindex set target-charset
9077 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
9078 list of supported target character sets, type
9079 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9080
9081 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
9082 @kindex set host-charset
9083 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
9084
9085 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
9086 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
9087 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
9088 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
9089 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
9090
9091 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
9092 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9093 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
9094
9095 @item set charset @var{charset}
9096 @kindex set charset
9097 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
9098 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9099 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
9100 for both host and target.
9101
9102 @item show charset
9103 @kindex show charset
9104 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
9105
9106 @item show host-charset
9107 @kindex show host-charset
9108 Show the name of the current host character set.
9109
9110 @item show target-charset
9111 @kindex show target-charset
9112 Show the name of the current target character set.
9113
9114 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
9115 @kindex set target-wide-charset
9116 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
9117 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
9118 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
9119 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9120
9121 @item show target-wide-charset
9122 @kindex show target-wide-charset
9123 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
9124 @end table
9125
9126 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
9127 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
9128 @file{charset-test.c}:
9129
9130 @smallexample
9131 #include <stdio.h>
9132
9133 char ascii_hello[]
9134 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
9135 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
9136 char ibm1047_hello[]
9137 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
9138 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
9139
9140 main ()
9141 @{
9142 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9143 @}
9144 @end smallexample
9145
9146 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
9147 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
9148 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
9149
9150 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
9151
9152 @smallexample
9153 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
9154 $ gdb -nw charset-test
9155 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
9156 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9157 @dots{}
9158 (@value{GDBP})
9159 @end smallexample
9160
9161 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
9162 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
9163 strings:
9164
9165 @smallexample
9166 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9167 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
9168 (@value{GDBP})
9169 @end smallexample
9170
9171 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
9172 initial character set:
9173 @smallexample
9174 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
9175 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9176 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
9177 (@value{GDBP})
9178 @end smallexample
9179
9180 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
9181 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
9182 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
9183 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
9184 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
9185
9186 @smallexample
9187 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9188 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
9189 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9190 $2 = 72 'H'
9191 (@value{GDBP})
9192 @end smallexample
9193
9194 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
9195 literals you use in expressions:
9196
9197 @smallexample
9198 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9199 $3 = 43 '+'
9200 (@value{GDBP})
9201 @end smallexample
9202
9203 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
9204 character.
9205
9206 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
9207 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
9208 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
9209
9210 @smallexample
9211 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9212 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
9213 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9214 $5 = 200 '\310'
9215 (@value{GDBP})
9216 @end smallexample
9217
9218 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
9219 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
9220
9221 @smallexample
9222 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9223 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
9224 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9225 @end smallexample
9226
9227 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
9228 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
9229 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
9230 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
9231 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
9232
9233 @smallexample
9234 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
9235 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9236 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
9237 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
9238 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9239 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
9240 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9241 $7 = 72 '\110'
9242 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9243 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
9244 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9245 $9 = 200 'H'
9246 (@value{GDBP})
9247 @end smallexample
9248
9249 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
9250 string literals you use in expressions:
9251
9252 @smallexample
9253 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9254 $10 = 78 '+'
9255 (@value{GDBP})
9256 @end smallexample
9257
9258 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
9259 character.
9260
9261 @node Caching Remote Data
9262 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
9263 @cindex caching data of remote targets
9264
9265 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
9266 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
9267 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
9268 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
9269 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
9270 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
9271 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
9272 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
9273 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
9274 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
9275 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
9276 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
9277 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
9278 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
9279 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
9280
9281 @table @code
9282 @kindex set remotecache
9283 @item set remotecache on
9284 @itemx set remotecache off
9285 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
9286 with old scripts.
9287
9288 @kindex show remotecache
9289 @item show remotecache
9290 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
9291
9292 @kindex set stack-cache
9293 @item set stack-cache on
9294 @itemx set stack-cache off
9295 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
9296 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
9297
9298 @kindex show stack-cache
9299 @item show stack-cache
9300 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
9301
9302 @kindex info dcache
9303 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
9304 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
9305 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
9306 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
9307 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
9308 operation.
9309
9310 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
9311 printed in hex.
9312 @end table
9313
9314 @node Searching Memory
9315 @section Search Memory
9316 @cindex searching memory
9317
9318 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
9319 @code{find} command.
9320
9321 @table @code
9322 @kindex find
9323 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9324 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9325 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
9326 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
9327 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
9328 @end table
9329
9330 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
9331 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
9332
9333 @table @r
9334 @item @var{s}, search query size
9335 The size of each search query value.
9336
9337 @table @code
9338 @item b
9339 bytes
9340 @item h
9341 halfwords (two bytes)
9342 @item w
9343 words (four bytes)
9344 @item g
9345 giant words (eight bytes)
9346 @end table
9347
9348 All values are interpreted in the current language.
9349 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
9350 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
9351
9352 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
9353 value's type in the current language.
9354 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
9355 pattern as a mixture of types.
9356 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
9357 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
9358 which is typically four bytes.
9359
9360 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
9361 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
9362 @end table
9363
9364 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
9365 (@code{"}).
9366 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
9367 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
9368
9369 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
9370 number of matches found.
9371
9372 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
9373 @samp{$_}.
9374 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
9375
9376 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
9377
9378 @smallexample
9379 void
9380 hello ()
9381 @{
9382 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
9383 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
9384 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
9385 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
9386 printf ("%s\n", hello);
9387 @}
9388 @end smallexample
9389
9390 @noindent
9391 you get during debugging:
9392
9393 @smallexample
9394 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
9395 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9396 1 pattern found
9397 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
9398 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9399 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9400 2 patterns found
9401 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
9402 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9403 1 pattern found
9404 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
9405 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
9406 1 pattern found
9407 (gdb) print $numfound
9408 $1 = 1
9409 (gdb) print $_
9410 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
9411 @end smallexample
9412
9413 @node Optimized Code
9414 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
9415 @cindex optimized code, debugging
9416 @cindex debugging optimized code
9417
9418 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
9419 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
9420 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
9421 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
9422 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
9423 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
9424 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
9425
9426 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
9427 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
9428 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
9429 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
9430
9431 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
9432 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
9433 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
9434 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
9435 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
9436 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
9437
9438 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
9439 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
9440 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
9441 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
9442 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
9443
9444 @menu
9445 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
9446 @end menu
9447
9448 @node Inline Functions
9449 @section Inline Functions
9450 @cindex inline functions, debugging
9451
9452 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
9453 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
9454 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
9455 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
9456 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
9457 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
9458 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
9459 @code{info frame} command.
9460
9461 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
9462 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
9463 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
9464 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
9465 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
9466 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
9467 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
9468 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
9469 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
9470 local variables in the caller.
9471
9472 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
9473 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
9474 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
9475 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
9476 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
9477 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
9478 instructions are executed.
9479
9480 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
9481 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
9482 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
9483 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9484
9485 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9486 function calls are the same as normal calls:
9487
9488 @itemize @bullet
9489 @item
9490 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9491 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9492 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9493 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9494 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9495 function instead.
9496
9497 @item
9498 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9499 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9500 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9501 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9502 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9503 or inside the inlined function instead.
9504
9505 @item
9506 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9507 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9508 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9509 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9510
9511 @end itemize
9512
9513
9514 @node Macros
9515 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9516
9517 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9518 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9519 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9520 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9521 where it was defined.
9522
9523 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9524 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9525 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9526 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9527
9528 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9529 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9530 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9531 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9532 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9533 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9534 see @ref{List}.
9535
9536 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9537 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9538 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9539
9540 @table @code
9541
9542 @kindex macro expand
9543 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9544 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9545 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9546 @item macro expand @var{expression}
9547 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9548 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9549 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9550 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9551 it can be any string of tokens.
9552
9553 @kindex macro exp1
9554 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9555 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9556 @cindex expand macro once
9557 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9558 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9559 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9560 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9561 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9562 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9563 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9564 can be any string of tokens.
9565
9566 @kindex info macro
9567 @cindex macro definition, showing
9568 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
9569 @item info macro @var{macro}
9570 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
9571 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9572
9573 @kindex macro define
9574 @cindex user-defined macros
9575 @cindex defining macros interactively
9576 @cindex macros, user-defined
9577 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9578 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9579 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9580 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9581 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9582 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9583 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9584 @var{arglist}.
9585
9586 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9587 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9588 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9589 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9590 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9591
9592 @kindex macro undef
9593 @item macro undef @var{macro}
9594 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9595 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9596 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9597 in the program being debugged.
9598
9599 @kindex macro list
9600 @item macro list
9601 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9602 @end table
9603
9604 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
9605 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9606 show our source files:
9607
9608 @smallexample
9609 $ cat sample.c
9610 #include <stdio.h>
9611 #include "sample.h"
9612
9613 #define M 42
9614 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9615
9616 main ()
9617 @{
9618 #define N 28
9619 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9620 #undef N
9621 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9622 #define N 1729
9623 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9624 @}
9625 $ cat sample.h
9626 #define Q <
9627 $
9628 @end smallexample
9629
9630 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9631 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9632 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9633 information.
9634
9635 @smallexample
9636 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9637 $
9638 @end smallexample
9639
9640 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9641
9642 @smallexample
9643 $ gdb -nw sample
9644 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9645 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9646 GDB is free software, @dots{}
9647 (@value{GDBP})
9648 @end smallexample
9649
9650 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9651 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9652 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9653
9654 @smallexample
9655 (@value{GDBP}) list main
9656 3
9657 4 #define M 42
9658 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9659 6
9660 7 main ()
9661 8 @{
9662 9 #define N 28
9663 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9664 11 #undef N
9665 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9666 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9667 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9668 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9669 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9670 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9671 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9672 #define Q <
9673 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9674 expands to: (42 + 1)
9675 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9676 expands to: once (M + 1)
9677 (@value{GDBP})
9678 @end smallexample
9679
9680 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9681 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9682 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9683 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9684
9685 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9686 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9687
9688 @smallexample
9689 (@value{GDBP}) break main
9690 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9691 (@value{GDBP}) run
9692 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9693
9694 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
9695 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9696 (@value{GDBP})
9697 @end smallexample
9698
9699 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9700
9701 @smallexample
9702 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9703 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9704 #define N 28
9705 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9706 expands to: 28 < 42
9707 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9708 $1 = 1
9709 (@value{GDBP})
9710 @end smallexample
9711
9712 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9713 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9714 thereof) in force at each point:
9715
9716 @smallexample
9717 (@value{GDBP}) next
9718 Hello, world!
9719 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9720 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9721 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9722 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9723 (@value{GDBP}) next
9724 We're so creative.
9725 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9726 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9727 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9728 #define N 1729
9729 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9730 expands to: 1729 < 42
9731 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9732 $2 = 0
9733 (@value{GDBP})
9734 @end smallexample
9735
9736 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9737 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9738 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9739 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9740
9741 @smallexample
9742 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9743 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9744 -D__STDC__=1
9745 (@value{GDBP})
9746 @end smallexample
9747
9748
9749 @node Tracepoints
9750 @chapter Tracepoints
9751 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9752 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9753
9754 @cindex tracepoints
9755 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9756 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9757 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9758 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9759 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9760 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9761 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9762
9763 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9764 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9765 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9766 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9767 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9768 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9769 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9770 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9771 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9772 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9773 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9774
9775 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9776 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9777 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9778 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9779 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9780 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9781 Packets}.
9782
9783 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
9784 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
9785 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
9786
9787 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9788
9789 @menu
9790 * Set Tracepoints::
9791 * Analyze Collected Data::
9792 * Tracepoint Variables::
9793 * Trace Files::
9794 @end menu
9795
9796 @node Set Tracepoints
9797 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9798
9799 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9800 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9801 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9802 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9803 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9804 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9805 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9806
9807 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9808 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9809 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9810 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9811 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9812 tracepoint was hit.
9813
9814 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
9815 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
9816 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
9817 either.
9818
9819 @cindex fast tracepoints
9820 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
9821 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
9822 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
9823
9824 @cindex static tracepoints
9825 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
9826 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
9827 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
9828 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
9829 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
9830 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
9831 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
9832 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
9833 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
9834 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
9835 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
9836 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
9837 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
9838 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namelly, support for collecting
9839 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
9840 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
9841 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
9842 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
9843 static tracepoint marker.
9844
9845 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
9846 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
9847
9848 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9849 conditions and actions.
9850
9851 @menu
9852 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9853 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9854 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
9855 * Tracepoint Conditions::
9856 * Trace State Variables::
9857 * Tracepoint Actions::
9858 * Listing Tracepoints::
9859 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
9860 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9861 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
9862 @end menu
9863
9864 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9865 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9866
9867 @table @code
9868 @cindex set tracepoint
9869 @kindex trace
9870 @item trace @var{location}
9871 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9872 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9873 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9874 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9875 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9876 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9877 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9878 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9879 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9880
9881 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9882
9883 @smallexample
9884 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9885
9886 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9887
9888 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9889
9890 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9891
9892 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9893 @end smallexample
9894
9895 @noindent
9896 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9897
9898 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9899 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9900 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9901 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9902 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9903 information on tracepoint conditions.
9904
9905 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9906 @cindex set fast tracepoint
9907 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
9908 @kindex ftrace
9909 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
9910 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
9911 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
9912 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
9913 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
9914 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
9915 message.
9916
9917 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
9918 @code{trace}.
9919
9920 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9921 @cindex set static tracepoint
9922 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
9923 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
9924 @kindex strace
9925 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
9926 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
9927 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
9928 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
9929 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
9930
9931 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
9932 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
9933 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
9934 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
9935 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
9936 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
9937 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
9938 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
9939 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
9940 tracing engine:
9941
9942 @smallexample
9943 main ()
9944 @{
9945 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
9946 @}
9947 @end smallexample
9948
9949 @noindent
9950 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
9951 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
9952
9953 @smallexample
9954 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
9955 Cnt Enb ID Address What
9956 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
9957 Data: "str %s"
9958 [etc...]
9959 @end smallexample
9960
9961 @noindent
9962 so you may probe the marker above with:
9963
9964 @smallexample
9965 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
9966 @end smallexample
9967
9968 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
9969 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
9970 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
9971 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
9972 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
9973 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
9974 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
9975 the @samp{Data:} field.
9976
9977 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
9978 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
9979 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
9980
9981 @vindex $tpnum
9982 @cindex last tracepoint number
9983 @cindex recent tracepoint number
9984 @cindex tracepoint number
9985 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
9986 of the most recently set tracepoint.
9987
9988 @kindex delete tracepoint
9989 @cindex tracepoint deletion
9990 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9991 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
9992 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
9993 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
9994
9995 Examples:
9996
9997 @smallexample
9998 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
9999
10000 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
10001 @end smallexample
10002
10003 @noindent
10004 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
10005 @end table
10006
10007 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
10008 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
10009
10010 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
10011
10012 @table @code
10013 @kindex disable tracepoint
10014 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10015 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
10016 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
10017 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
10018 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
10019
10020 @kindex enable tracepoint
10021 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10022 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
10023 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
10024 run.
10025 @end table
10026
10027 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
10028 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
10029
10030 @table @code
10031 @kindex passcount
10032 @cindex tracepoint pass count
10033 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
10034 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
10035 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
10036 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
10037 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
10038 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
10039 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
10040 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
10041 user.
10042
10043 Examples:
10044
10045 @smallexample
10046 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
10047 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
10048
10049 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
10050 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
10051 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10052 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
10053 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
10054 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
10055 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
10056 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
10057 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
10058 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
10059 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
10060 @end smallexample
10061 @end table
10062
10063 @node Tracepoint Conditions
10064 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
10065 @cindex conditional tracepoints
10066 @cindex tracepoint conditions
10067
10068 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
10069 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
10070 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
10071 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
10072 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
10073 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
10074 is true.
10075
10076 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
10077 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
10078 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
10079 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
10080 just as with breakpoints.
10081
10082 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
10083 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
10084 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions}
10085 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
10086 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
10087 accesses, and so forth.
10088
10089 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
10090 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
10091 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
10092 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
10093 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
10094 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
10095 search through.
10096
10097 @smallexample
10098 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
10099 @end smallexample
10100
10101 @node Trace State Variables
10102 @subsection Trace State Variables
10103 @cindex trace state variables
10104
10105 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
10106 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
10107 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
10108 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
10109 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
10110 integers.
10111
10112 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
10113 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
10114 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
10115 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
10116
10117 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
10118 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
10119 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
10120 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
10121 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
10122 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
10123 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
10124 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
10125 variable with the same name.
10126
10127 @table @code
10128
10129 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
10130 @kindex tvariable
10131 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
10132 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
10133 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
10134 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
10135 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
10136 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
10137 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
10138 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
10139 value. The default initial value is 0.
10140
10141 @item info tvariables
10142 @kindex info tvariables
10143 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
10144 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
10145 currently running.
10146
10147 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
10148 @kindex delete tvariable
10149 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
10150 are specified.
10151
10152 @end table
10153
10154 @node Tracepoint Actions
10155 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
10156
10157 @table @code
10158 @kindex actions
10159 @cindex tracepoint actions
10160 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10161 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
10162 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
10163 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
10164 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
10165 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
10166 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
10167 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
10168 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
10169 @code{while-stepping}.
10170
10171 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
10172 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
10173 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
10174
10175 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
10176 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
10177 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
10178
10179 @smallexample
10180 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
10181
10182 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
10183
10184 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
10185 @end smallexample
10186
10187 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
10188 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
10189 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
10190 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
10191 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
10192 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
10193 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
10194 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
10195
10196 @smallexample
10197 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10198 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10199 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
10200 > collect bar,baz
10201 > collect $regs
10202 > while-stepping 12
10203 > collect $pc, arr[i]
10204 > end
10205 end
10206 @end smallexample
10207
10208 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
10209 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10210 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
10211 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
10212 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
10213 special arguments are supported:
10214
10215 @table @code
10216 @item $regs
10217 Collect all registers.
10218
10219 @item $args
10220 Collect all function arguments.
10221
10222 @item $locals
10223 Collect all local variables.
10224
10225 @item $_sdata
10226 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
10227 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
10228 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
10229 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
10230 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
10231 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
10232 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
10233 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
10234 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
10235
10236 @smallexample
10237 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
10238 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
10239 @end smallexample
10240
10241 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
10242 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
10243 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
10244 @value{GDBN}.
10245 @end table
10246
10247 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
10248 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
10249 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
10250
10251 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
10252 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
10253
10254 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
10255 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10256 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
10257 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
10258 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
10259 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
10260 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
10261 action were used.
10262
10263 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
10264 @item while-stepping @var{n}
10265 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
10266 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
10267 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
10268 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
10269
10270 @smallexample
10271 > while-stepping 12
10272 > collect $regs, myglobal
10273 > end
10274 >
10275 @end smallexample
10276
10277 @noindent
10278 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
10279 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
10280 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
10281 @code{stepping}.
10282
10283 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10284 @kindex set default-collect
10285 @cindex default collection action
10286 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
10287 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
10288 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
10289 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
10290 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
10291 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
10292
10293 @item show default-collect
10294 @kindex show default-collect
10295 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
10296 tracepoint hit.
10297
10298 @end table
10299
10300 @node Listing Tracepoints
10301 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
10302
10303 @table @code
10304 @kindex info tracepoints
10305 @kindex info tp
10306 @cindex information about tracepoints
10307 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10308 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
10309 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
10310 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
10311 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
10312 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
10313
10314 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
10315 tracing:
10316
10317 @itemize @bullet
10318 @item
10319 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
10320 @end itemize
10321
10322 @smallexample
10323 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
10324 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
10325 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
10326 while-stepping 20
10327 collect globfoo, $regs
10328 end
10329 collect globfoo2
10330 end
10331 pass count 1200
10332 (@value{GDBP})
10333 @end smallexample
10334
10335 @noindent
10336 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
10337 @end table
10338
10339 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10340 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10341
10342 @table @code
10343 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
10344 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
10345 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
10346 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
10347 program.
10348
10349 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
10350
10351 @table @emph
10352 @item Count
10353 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
10354 stable identifier.
10355 @item ID
10356 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
10357 @item Enabled or Disabled
10358 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
10359 that are not enabled.
10360 @item Address
10361 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
10362 @item What
10363 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
10364 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
10365 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
10366 will be left blank.
10367 @end table
10368
10369 @noindent
10370 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
10371
10372 @table @emph
10373 @item Data
10374 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
10375 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
10376 marker call.
10377 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
10378 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
10379 @end table
10380
10381 @smallexample
10382 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
10383 Cnt ID Enb Address What
10384 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
10385 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
10386 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
10387 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
10388 Data: str %s
10389 (@value{GDBP})
10390 @end smallexample
10391 @end table
10392
10393 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10394 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10395
10396 @table @code
10397 @kindex tstart
10398 @cindex start a new trace experiment
10399 @cindex collected data discarded
10400 @item tstart
10401 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
10402 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
10403 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
10404 experiment.
10405
10406 @kindex tstop
10407 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
10408 @item tstop
10409 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
10410 stops collecting data.
10411
10412 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
10413 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
10414 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
10415
10416 @kindex tstatus
10417 @cindex status of trace data collection
10418 @cindex trace experiment, status of
10419 @item tstatus
10420 This command displays the status of the current trace data
10421 collection.
10422 @end table
10423
10424 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
10425
10426 @smallexample
10427 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
10428 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10429 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
10430 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
10431 > while-stepping 11
10432 > collect $regs
10433 > end
10434 > end
10435 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10436 [time passes @dots{}]
10437 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
10438 @end smallexample
10439
10440 @cindex disconnected tracing
10441 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
10442 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
10443 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
10444 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
10445 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
10446 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
10447 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
10448 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
10449
10450 @table @code
10451 @item set disconnected-tracing on
10452 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
10453 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
10454 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
10455 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
10456 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
10457 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
10458 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
10459
10460 @item show disconnected-tracing
10461 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
10462 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
10463
10464 @end table
10465
10466 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
10467 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
10468 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
10469 it will continue after reconnection.
10470
10471 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
10472 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
10473 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
10474 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
10475 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
10476 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
10477 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
10478 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
10479 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
10480 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
10481
10482 @cindex circular trace buffer
10483 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
10484 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
10485 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
10486 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
10487 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
10488 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
10489 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
10490 @samp{circular_trace_buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
10491 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
10492 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
10493 the next run.
10494
10495 @table @code
10496 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
10497 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
10498 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
10499 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
10500 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
10501 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
10502 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
10503
10504 @item show circular-trace-buffer
10505 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
10506 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
10507 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
10508 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
10509 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
10510
10511 @end table
10512
10513 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
10514 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
10515
10516 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
10517 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
10518 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
10519 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
10520 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
10521 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
10522 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
10523 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
10524 mentioned here.
10525
10526 @itemize @bullet
10527
10528 @item
10529 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
10530 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
10531 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
10532 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
10533 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
10534 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
10535 cannot be collected either.
10536
10537 @item
10538 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
10539 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
10540 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
10541 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
10542 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
10543 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
10544 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
10545 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
10546 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
10547 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
10548
10549 @item
10550 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
10551 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
10552 in a misleading way.
10553
10554 @item
10555 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
10556 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
10557 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
10558 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
10559 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
10560 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
10561 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
10562 by @code{ptr}.
10563
10564 @item
10565 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
10566 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
10567 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*$esp@@300}
10568 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
10569 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
10570 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
10571 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
10572 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
10573 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
10574 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
10575 invalid address.
10576
10577 @item
10578 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
10579 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
10580 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
10581 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
10582 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
10583 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
10584 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
10585 it to zero.
10586
10587 @end itemize
10588
10589 @node Analyze Collected Data
10590 @section Using the Collected Data
10591
10592 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
10593 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
10594 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
10595 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
10596 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
10597 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
10598 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
10599 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
10600 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
10601 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
10602 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
10603 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
10604 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
10605 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
10606 the buffer will fail.
10607
10608 @menu
10609 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
10610 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
10611 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
10612 @end menu
10613
10614 @node tfind
10615 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
10616
10617 @kindex tfind
10618 @cindex select trace snapshot
10619 @cindex find trace snapshot
10620 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
10621 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
10622 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
10623 snapshot is selected.
10624
10625 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
10626
10627 @table @code
10628 @item tfind start
10629 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
10630 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
10631
10632 @item tfind none
10633 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
10634
10635 @item tfind end
10636 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
10637
10638 @item tfind
10639 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
10640
10641 @item tfind -
10642 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
10643 retracing earlier steps.
10644
10645 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
10646 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
10647 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
10648 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
10649 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
10650
10651 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
10652 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
10653 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
10654 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
10655 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
10656
10657 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10658 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
10659 addresses (exclusive).
10660
10661 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10662 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
10663 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
10664
10665 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
10666 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
10667 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
10668 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
10669 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
10670 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
10671 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
10672 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
10673 @end table
10674
10675 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
10676 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
10677 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
10678 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
10679 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
10680 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
10681 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
10682 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
10683 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
10684 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
10685 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
10686 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
10687 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
10688 tracepoint as the current one.
10689
10690 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
10691 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
10692 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
10693 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
10694 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
10695
10696 @smallexample
10697 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10698 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10699 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
10700 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
10701 > tfind
10702 > end
10703
10704 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
10705 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
10706 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
10707 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
10708 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
10709 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
10710 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
10711 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
10712 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
10713 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
10714 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
10715 @end smallexample
10716
10717 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
10718 the buffer:
10719
10720 @smallexample
10721 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10722 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10723 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
10724 > tfind line
10725 > end
10726
10727 Frame 0, X = 1
10728 Frame 7, X = 2
10729 Frame 13, X = 255
10730 @end smallexample
10731
10732 @node tdump
10733 @subsection @code{tdump}
10734 @kindex tdump
10735 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
10736 @cindex tracepoint data, display
10737
10738 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
10739 the current trace snapshot.
10740
10741 @smallexample
10742 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
10743 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10744 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
10745 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
10746 > end
10747
10748 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10749
10750 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
10751 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
10752 at gdb_test.c:444
10753 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
10754
10755 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
10756 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
10757 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
10758 d1 0x18 24
10759 d2 0x80 128
10760 d3 0x33 51
10761 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
10762 d5 0x22 34
10763 d6 0xe0 224
10764 d7 0x380035 3670069
10765 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
10766 a1 0x3000668 50333288
10767 a2 0x100 256
10768 a3 0x322000 3284992
10769 a4 0x3000698 50333336
10770 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
10771 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
10772 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
10773 ps 0x0 0
10774 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
10775 fpcontrol 0x0 0
10776 fpstatus 0x0 0
10777 fpiaddr 0x0 0
10778 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
10779 p1 = (void *) 0x11
10780 p2 = (void *) 0x22
10781 p3 = (void *) 0x33
10782 p4 = (void *) 0x44
10783 p5 = (void *) 0x55
10784 p6 = (void *) 0x66
10785 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
10786
10787 (@value{GDBP})
10788 @end smallexample
10789
10790 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
10791 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
10792 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
10793 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
10794
10795 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
10796 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
10797 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
10798 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
10799 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
10800 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
10801 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
10802 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
10803 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
10804 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
10805
10806 @node save tracepoints
10807 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
10808 @kindex save tracepoints
10809 @kindex save-tracepoints
10810 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
10811
10812 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
10813 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
10814 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
10815 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
10816 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
10817 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
10818
10819 @node Tracepoint Variables
10820 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
10821 @cindex tracepoint variables
10822 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
10823
10824 @table @code
10825 @vindex $trace_frame
10826 @item (int) $trace_frame
10827 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
10828 snapshot is selected.
10829
10830 @vindex $tracepoint
10831 @item (int) $tracepoint
10832 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
10833
10834 @vindex $trace_line
10835 @item (int) $trace_line
10836 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
10837
10838 @vindex $trace_file
10839 @item (char []) $trace_file
10840 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
10841
10842 @vindex $trace_func
10843 @item (char []) $trace_func
10844 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
10845 @end table
10846
10847 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
10848 use @code{output} instead.
10849
10850 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10851 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10852 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10853 which are managed by the target.
10854
10855 @smallexample
10856 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10857
10858 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10859 > output $trace_file
10860 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10861 > tfind
10862 > end
10863 @end smallexample
10864
10865 @node Trace Files
10866 @section Using Trace Files
10867 @cindex trace files
10868
10869 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
10870 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
10871 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
10872 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
10873 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
10874
10875 @table @code
10876
10877 @kindex tsave
10878 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
10879 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
10880 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
10881 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
10882 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
10883 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
10884 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
10885 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
10886 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
10887
10888 @kindex target tfile
10889 @kindex tfile
10890 @item target tfile @var{filename}
10891 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
10892 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
10893 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
10894 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
10895 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
10896 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
10897
10898 @end table
10899
10900 @node Overlays
10901 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10902 @cindex overlays
10903
10904 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10905 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10906 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10907 use overlays.
10908
10909 @menu
10910 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10911 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10912 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10913 mapped by asking the inferior.
10914 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10915 @end menu
10916
10917 @node How Overlays Work
10918 @section How Overlays Work
10919 @cindex mapped overlays
10920 @cindex unmapped overlays
10921 @cindex load address, overlay's
10922 @cindex mapped address
10923 @cindex overlay area
10924
10925 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10926 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10927 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10928 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10929 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10930
10931 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10932 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
10933 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
10934 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
10935 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
10936 largest overlay as well.
10937
10938 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
10939 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
10940 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
10941 there.
10942
10943 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
10944 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
10945 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
10946
10947 @smallexample
10948 @group
10949 Data Instruction Larger
10950 Address Space Address Space Address Space
10951 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
10952 | | | | | |
10953 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
10954 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
10955 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
10956 | and heap | | | | | |
10957 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
10958 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
10959 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
10960 | | | | | |
10961 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
10962 address | | | | | |
10963 | overlay | <-' | | |
10964 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
10965 | | <---. | | load address
10966 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
10967 | | | |
10968 +-----------+ | |
10969 +-----------+
10970 | |
10971 +-----------+
10972
10973 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
10974 @end group
10975 @end smallexample
10976
10977 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
10978 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
10979 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
10980 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
10981 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
10982 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
10983 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
10984 program and the overlay area.
10985
10986 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
10987 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
10988 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
10989 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
10990 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
10991 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
10992 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
10993
10994 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
10995 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
10996 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
10997
10998 @itemize @bullet
10999
11000 @item
11001 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
11002 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
11003 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
11004 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
11005
11006 @item
11007 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
11008 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
11009 your program's performance.
11010
11011 @item
11012 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
11013 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
11014 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
11015 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
11016 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
11017 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
11018 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
11019
11020 @item
11021 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
11022 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
11023 instruction and data spaces.
11024
11025 @end itemize
11026
11027 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
11028 improved in many ways:
11029
11030 @itemize @bullet
11031
11032 @item
11033 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
11034 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
11035 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
11036 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
11037 area in the usual way.
11038
11039 @item
11040 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
11041 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
11042
11043 @item
11044 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
11045 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
11046 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
11047 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
11048 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
11049 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
11050 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
11051
11052 @end itemize
11053
11054
11055 @node Overlay Commands
11056 @section Overlay Commands
11057
11058 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
11059 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
11060 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
11061 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
11062 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
11063 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
11064
11065 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
11066 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
11067
11068 @table @code
11069 @item overlay off
11070 @kindex overlay
11071 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
11072 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
11073 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
11074 overlay support is disabled.
11075
11076 @item overlay manual
11077 @cindex manual overlay debugging
11078 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11079 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
11080 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
11081 commands described below.
11082
11083 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
11084 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
11085 @cindex map an overlay
11086 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
11087 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
11088 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
11089 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
11090 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
11091 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
11092
11093 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
11094 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
11095 @cindex unmap an overlay
11096 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
11097 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
11098 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
11099 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
11100
11101 @item overlay auto
11102 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11103 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
11104 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
11105 Overlay Debugging}.
11106
11107 @item overlay load-target
11108 @itemx overlay load
11109 @cindex reloading the overlay table
11110 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
11111 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
11112 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
11113 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
11114 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
11115
11116 @item overlay list-overlays
11117 @itemx overlay list
11118 @cindex listing mapped overlays
11119 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
11120 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
11121
11122 @end table
11123
11124 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
11125 of the function the address falls in:
11126
11127 @smallexample
11128 (@value{GDBP}) print main
11129 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
11130 @end smallexample
11131 @noindent
11132 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
11133 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
11134 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
11135 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
11136
11137 @smallexample
11138 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11139 No sections are mapped.
11140 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11141 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
11142 @end smallexample
11143 @noindent
11144 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
11145 name normally:
11146
11147 @smallexample
11148 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11149 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
11150 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
11151 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11152 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
11153 @end smallexample
11154
11155 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
11156 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
11157 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
11158 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
11159 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
11160
11161 @itemize @bullet
11162 @item
11163 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
11164 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
11165 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
11166 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
11167 @item
11168 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
11169 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
11170 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
11171 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
11172 breakpoints properly.
11173 @end itemize
11174
11175
11176 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
11177 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
11178 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
11179
11180 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
11181 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
11182 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
11183 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
11184 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
11185 current state of the overlays.
11186
11187 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
11188 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
11189
11190 @table @asis
11191
11192 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
11193 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
11194
11195 @smallexample
11196 struct
11197 @{
11198 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
11199 unsigned long vma;
11200
11201 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
11202 unsigned long size;
11203
11204 /* The overlay's load address. */
11205 unsigned long lma;
11206
11207 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
11208 zero otherwise. */
11209 unsigned long mapped;
11210 @}
11211 @end smallexample
11212
11213 @item @code{_novlys}:
11214 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
11215 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
11216
11217 @end table
11218
11219 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
11220 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
11221 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
11222 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
11223 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
11224 currently mapped.
11225
11226 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
11227 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
11228 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
11229 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
11230 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
11231 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
11232 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
11233 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
11234 are not being executed.
11235
11236 @node Overlay Sample Program
11237 @section Overlay Sample Program
11238 @cindex overlay example program
11239
11240 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
11241 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
11242 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
11243 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
11244 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
11245 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
11246 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
11247
11248 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
11249 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
11250 suite. The program consists of the following files from
11251 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
11252
11253 @table @file
11254 @item overlays.c
11255 The main program file.
11256 @item ovlymgr.c
11257 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
11258 @item foo.c
11259 @itemx bar.c
11260 @itemx baz.c
11261 @itemx grbx.c
11262 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
11263 @item d10v.ld
11264 @itemx m32r.ld
11265 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
11266 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
11267 @end table
11268
11269 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
11270 cross-compiler like this:
11271
11272 @smallexample
11273 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
11274 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
11275 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
11276 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
11277 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
11278 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
11279 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
11280 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
11281 @end smallexample
11282
11283 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
11284 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
11285 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
11286
11287
11288 @node Languages
11289 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
11290 @cindex languages
11291
11292 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
11293 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
11294 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
11295 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
11296 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
11297 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
11298
11299 @cindex working language
11300 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
11301 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
11302 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
11303 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
11304 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
11305 language}.
11306
11307 @menu
11308 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
11309 * Show:: Displaying the language
11310 * Checks:: Type and range checks
11311 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
11312 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
11313 @end menu
11314
11315 @node Setting
11316 @section Switching Between Source Languages
11317
11318 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
11319 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
11320 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
11321 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
11322 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
11323 are printed, etc.
11324
11325 In addition to the working language, every source file that
11326 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
11327 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
11328 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
11329 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
11330 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
11331 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
11332 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
11333 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
11334 Displaying the Language}.
11335
11336 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
11337 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
11338 another language. In that case, make the
11339 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
11340 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
11341 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
11342
11343 @menu
11344 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
11345 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
11346 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
11347 @end menu
11348
11349 @node Filenames
11350 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
11351
11352 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
11353 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
11354
11355 @table @file
11356 @item .ada
11357 @itemx .ads
11358 @itemx .adb
11359 @itemx .a
11360 Ada source file.
11361
11362 @item .c
11363 C source file
11364
11365 @item .C
11366 @itemx .cc
11367 @itemx .cp
11368 @itemx .cpp
11369 @itemx .cxx
11370 @itemx .c++
11371 C@t{++} source file
11372
11373 @item .d
11374 D source file
11375
11376 @item .m
11377 Objective-C source file
11378
11379 @item .f
11380 @itemx .F
11381 Fortran source file
11382
11383 @item .mod
11384 Modula-2 source file
11385
11386 @item .s
11387 @itemx .S
11388 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
11389 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
11390 @end table
11391
11392 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
11393 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
11394
11395 @node Manually
11396 @subsection Setting the Working Language
11397
11398 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
11399 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
11400 your program.
11401
11402 @kindex set language
11403 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
11404 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
11405 a language, such as
11406 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
11407 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
11408
11409 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
11410 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
11411 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
11412 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
11413 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
11414 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
11415 command such as:
11416
11417 @smallexample
11418 print a = b + c
11419 @end smallexample
11420
11421 @noindent
11422 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
11423 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
11424 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
11425 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
11426
11427 @node Automatically
11428 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
11429
11430 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
11431 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
11432 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
11433 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
11434 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
11435 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
11436 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
11437 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
11438 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
11439
11440 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
11441 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
11442 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
11443 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
11444 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
11445
11446 @node Show
11447 @section Displaying the Language
11448
11449 The following commands help you find out which language is the
11450 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
11451
11452 @table @code
11453 @item show language
11454 @kindex show language
11455 Display the current working language. This is the
11456 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
11457 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
11458
11459 @item info frame
11460 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
11461 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
11462 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
11463 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
11464 information listed here.
11465
11466 @item info source
11467 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
11468 Display the source language of this source file.
11469 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
11470 information listed here.
11471 @end table
11472
11473 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
11474 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
11475 with a language explicitly:
11476
11477 @table @code
11478 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
11479 @kindex set extension-language
11480 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
11481 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
11482
11483 @item info extensions
11484 @kindex info extensions
11485 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
11486 @end table
11487
11488 @node Checks
11489 @section Type and Range Checking
11490
11491 @quotation
11492 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
11493 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
11494 section documents the intended facilities.
11495 @end quotation
11496 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
11497
11498 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
11499 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
11500 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
11501 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
11502 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
11503 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
11504 errors when your program is running.
11505
11506 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
11507 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
11508 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
11509 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
11510 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
11511 automatically based on your program's source language.
11512 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
11513 settings of supported languages.
11514
11515 @menu
11516 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
11517 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
11518 @end menu
11519
11520 @cindex type checking
11521 @cindex checks, type
11522 @node Type Checking
11523 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
11524
11525 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
11526 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
11527 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
11528 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
11529
11530 @smallexample
11531 1 + 2 @result{} 3
11532 @exdent but
11533 @error{} 1 + 2.3
11534 @end smallexample
11535
11536 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
11537 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
11538
11539 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
11540 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
11541 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
11542 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
11543 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
11544 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
11545 also issues a warning.
11546
11547 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
11548 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
11549 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
11550 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
11551 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
11552 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
11553
11554 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
11555 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
11556 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
11557 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
11558 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
11559 details on specific languages.
11560
11561 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
11562
11563 @kindex set check type
11564 @kindex show check type
11565 @table @code
11566 @item set check type auto
11567 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
11568 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11569 each language.
11570
11571 @item set check type on
11572 @itemx set check type off
11573 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11574 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
11575 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
11576 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
11577 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
11578
11579 @item set check type warn
11580 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
11581 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
11582 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
11583 numbers and structures.
11584
11585 @item show type
11586 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
11587 is setting it automatically.
11588 @end table
11589
11590 @cindex range checking
11591 @cindex checks, range
11592 @node Range Checking
11593 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
11594
11595 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
11596 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
11597 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
11598 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
11599 not exceed the bounds of the array.
11600
11601 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
11602 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
11603 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
11604 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
11605
11606 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
11607 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
11608 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
11609 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
11610 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
11611 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
11612
11613 @smallexample
11614 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
11615 @end smallexample
11616
11617 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
11618 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
11619 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
11620
11621 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
11622
11623 @kindex set check range
11624 @kindex show check range
11625 @table @code
11626 @item set check range auto
11627 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
11628 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11629 each language.
11630
11631 @item set check range on
11632 @itemx set check range off
11633 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11634 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
11635 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
11636 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
11637
11638 @item set check range warn
11639 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
11640 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
11641 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
11642 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
11643 systems).
11644
11645 @item show range
11646 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
11647 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
11648 @end table
11649
11650 @node Supported Languages
11651 @section Supported Languages
11652
11653 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, OpenCL C, Pascal,
11654 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
11655 @c This is false ...
11656 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
11657 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
11658 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
11659 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
11660 language.
11661
11662 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
11663 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
11664 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
11665 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
11666 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
11667 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
11668 language reference or tutorial.
11669
11670 @menu
11671 * C:: C and C@t{++}
11672 * D:: D
11673 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
11674 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
11675 * Fortran:: Fortran
11676 * Pascal:: Pascal
11677 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
11678 * Ada:: Ada
11679 @end menu
11680
11681 @node C
11682 @subsection C and C@t{++}
11683
11684 @cindex C and C@t{++}
11685 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
11686
11687 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
11688 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
11689 together.
11690
11691 @cindex C@t{++}
11692 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
11693 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
11694 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
11695 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
11696 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
11697 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
11698 compiler (@code{aCC}).
11699
11700 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
11701 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
11702 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
11703 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
11704 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
11705 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
11706
11707 @menu
11708 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
11709 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
11710 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
11711 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
11712 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
11713 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
11714 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
11715 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
11716 @end menu
11717
11718 @node C Operators
11719 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
11720
11721 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
11722
11723 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11724 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11725 often defined on groups of types.
11726
11727 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
11728
11729 @itemize @bullet
11730
11731 @item
11732 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
11733 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
11734
11735 @item
11736 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
11737 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
11738
11739 @item
11740 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
11741
11742 @item
11743 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
11744
11745 @end itemize
11746
11747 @noindent
11748 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
11749 in order of increasing precedence:
11750
11751 @table @code
11752 @item ,
11753 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
11754 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
11755 expression being the last expression evaluated.
11756
11757 @item =
11758 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
11759 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
11760
11761 @item @var{op}=
11762 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
11763 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
11764 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
11765 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
11766 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
11767
11768 @item ?:
11769 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
11770 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
11771 integral type.
11772
11773 @item ||
11774 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11775
11776 @item &&
11777 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11778
11779 @item |
11780 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11781
11782 @item ^
11783 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11784
11785 @item &
11786 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11787
11788 @item ==@r{, }!=
11789 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
11790 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
11791
11792 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
11793 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
11794 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
11795 and non-zero for true.
11796
11797 @item <<@r{, }>>
11798 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
11799
11800 @item @@
11801 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11802
11803 @item +@r{, }-
11804 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
11805 pointer types.
11806
11807 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
11808 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
11809 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
11810 integral types.
11811
11812 @item ++@r{, }--
11813 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
11814 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
11815 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
11816 operation takes place.
11817
11818 @item *
11819 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
11820 @code{++}.
11821
11822 @item &
11823 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
11824
11825 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
11826 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
11827 to examine the address
11828 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
11829 stored.
11830
11831 @item -
11832 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
11833 precedence as @code{++}.
11834
11835 @item !
11836 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11837 @code{++}.
11838
11839 @item ~
11840 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11841 @code{++}.
11842
11843
11844 @item .@r{, }->
11845 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
11846 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
11847 pointer based on the stored type information.
11848 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
11849
11850 @item .*@r{, }->*
11851 Dereferences of pointers to members.
11852
11853 @item []
11854 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
11855 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11856
11857 @item ()
11858 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11859
11860 @item ::
11861 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
11862 and @code{class} types.
11863
11864 @item ::
11865 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
11866 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
11867 above.
11868 @end table
11869
11870 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
11871 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
11872 predefined meaning.
11873
11874 @node C Constants
11875 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
11876
11877 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
11878
11879 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
11880 following ways:
11881
11882 @itemize @bullet
11883 @item
11884 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
11885 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
11886 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
11887 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
11888 @code{long} value.
11889
11890 @item
11891 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11892 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11893 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11894 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11895 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11896 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11897 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11898 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11899 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11900 constant.
11901
11902 @item
11903 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11904 integral equivalents.
11905
11906 @item
11907 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11908 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11909 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11910 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11911 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11912 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11913 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11914 @samp{\n} for newline.
11915
11916 @item
11917 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11918 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11919 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11920 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11921 characters.
11922
11923 @item
11924 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11925 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11926
11927 @item
11928 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11929 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11930 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11931 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11932 @end itemize
11933
11934 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
11935 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
11936
11937 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
11938 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
11939
11940 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
11941 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
11942 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
11943 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
11944 @quotation
11945 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
11946 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
11947 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
11948 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
11949 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
11950 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
11951 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
11952 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
11953 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
11954 C@t{++} code.
11955 @end quotation
11956
11957 @enumerate
11958
11959 @cindex member functions
11960 @item
11961 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
11962
11963 @smallexample
11964 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
11965 @end smallexample
11966
11967 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
11968 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
11969 @item
11970 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
11971 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
11972 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
11973 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
11974
11975 @cindex call overloaded functions
11976 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
11977 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
11978 @item
11979 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
11980 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
11981 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
11982 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
11983 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
11984 default arguments.
11985
11986 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
11987 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
11988 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
11989 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
11990 number of function arguments.
11991
11992 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
11993 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
11994 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
11995
11996 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
11997 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
11998 @smallexample
11999 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
12000 @end smallexample
12001
12002 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
12003 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
12004
12005 @cindex reference declarations
12006 @item
12007 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
12008 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
12009 dereferenced.
12010
12011 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
12012 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
12013 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
12014 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
12015 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
12016
12017 @item
12018 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
12019 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
12020 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
12021 necessary, for example in an expression like
12022 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
12023 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
12024 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
12025 @end enumerate
12026
12027 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
12028 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
12029 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
12030 invoking user-defined operators.
12031
12032 @node C Defaults
12033 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
12034
12035 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
12036
12037 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
12038 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
12039 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12040 selects the working language.
12041
12042 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
12043 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
12044 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
12045 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
12046 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
12047 for further details.
12048
12049 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
12050 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
12051 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
12052
12053 @node C Checks
12054 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
12055
12056 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
12057
12058 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
12059 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
12060 considers two variables type equivalent if:
12061
12062 @itemize @bullet
12063 @item
12064 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
12065 enumerated tag.
12066
12067 @item
12068 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
12069 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
12070
12071 @ignore
12072 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
12073 @c FIXME--beers?
12074 @item
12075 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
12076 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
12077 compilers.)
12078 @end ignore
12079 @end itemize
12080
12081 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
12082 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
12083 that is not itself an array.
12084
12085 @node Debugging C
12086 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
12087
12088 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
12089 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
12090 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
12091 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
12092
12093 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
12094 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
12095 ,Expressions}.
12096
12097 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
12098 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
12099
12100 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
12101
12102 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
12103 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
12104
12105 @table @code
12106 @cindex break in overloaded functions
12107 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
12108 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
12109 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
12110 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
12111 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
12112
12113 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
12114 @item rbreak @var{regex}
12115 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
12116 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
12117 classes.
12118 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
12119
12120 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
12121 @item catch throw
12122 @itemx catch catch
12123 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
12124 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
12125
12126 @cindex inheritance
12127 @item ptype @var{typename}
12128 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
12129 @var{typename}.
12130 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
12131
12132 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
12133 @item set print demangle
12134 @itemx show print demangle
12135 @itemx set print asm-demangle
12136 @itemx show print asm-demangle
12137 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
12138 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
12139 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12140
12141 @item set print object
12142 @itemx show print object
12143 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
12144 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12145
12146 @item set print vtbl
12147 @itemx show print vtbl
12148 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
12149 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12150 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
12151 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
12152
12153 @kindex set overload-resolution
12154 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
12155 @item set overload-resolution on
12156 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
12157 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
12158 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
12159 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
12160 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
12161 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
12162
12163 @item set overload-resolution off
12164 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
12165 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12166 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
12167 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
12168 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12169 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
12170 argument types.
12171
12172 @kindex show overload-resolution
12173 @item show overload-resolution
12174 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
12175
12176 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
12177 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
12178 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
12179 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
12180 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
12181 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
12182 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
12183 @end table
12184
12185 @node Decimal Floating Point
12186 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
12187 @cindex decimal floating point format
12188
12189 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
12190 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
12191 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
12192 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
12193
12194 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
12195 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
12196 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
12197 target.
12198
12199 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
12200 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
12201 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
12202
12203 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
12204 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
12205 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
12206
12207 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
12208 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
12209 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
12210
12211 @node D
12212 @subsection D
12213
12214 @cindex D
12215 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
12216 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
12217 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
12218
12219 @node Objective-C
12220 @subsection Objective-C
12221
12222 @cindex Objective-C
12223 This section provides information about some commands and command
12224 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
12225 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
12226 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
12227
12228 @menu
12229 * Method Names in Commands::
12230 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
12231 @end menu
12232
12233 @node Method Names in Commands
12234 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
12235
12236 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
12237 names as line specifications:
12238
12239 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
12240 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
12241 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
12242 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
12243 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
12244 @itemize
12245 @item @code{clear}
12246 @item @code{break}
12247 @item @code{info line}
12248 @item @code{jump}
12249 @item @code{list}
12250 @end itemize
12251
12252 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
12253
12254 @smallexample
12255 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
12256 @end smallexample
12257
12258 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
12259 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
12260 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
12261 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
12262 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
12263 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
12264 debugged, enter:
12265
12266 @smallexample
12267 break -[Fruit create]
12268 @end smallexample
12269
12270 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
12271 enter:
12272
12273 @smallexample
12274 list +[NSText initialize]
12275 @end smallexample
12276
12277 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
12278 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
12279 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
12280 is also possible to specify just a method name:
12281
12282 @smallexample
12283 break create
12284 @end smallexample
12285
12286 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
12287 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
12288 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
12289 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
12290 none apply.
12291
12292 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
12293 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
12294
12295 @smallexample
12296 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
12297 @end smallexample
12298
12299 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
12300 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
12301 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
12302 @kindex print-object
12303 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
12304
12305 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
12306
12307 @smallexample
12308 print -[@var{object} hash]
12309 @end smallexample
12310
12311 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
12312 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
12313 @noindent
12314 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
12315 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
12316 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
12317 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
12318 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
12319 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
12320
12321 @node OpenCL C
12322 @subsection OpenCL C
12323
12324 @cindex OpenCL C
12325 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
12326
12327 @menu
12328 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
12329 * OpenCL C Expressions::
12330 * OpenCL C Operators::
12331 @end menu
12332
12333 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
12334 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
12335
12336 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
12337 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
12338 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
12339 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
12340 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
12341
12342 @node OpenCL C Expressions
12343 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
12344
12345 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
12346 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
12347 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
12348 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
12349
12350 @node OpenCL C Operators
12351 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
12352
12353 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
12354 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
12355 vector data types.
12356
12357 @node Fortran
12358 @subsection Fortran
12359 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
12360
12361 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
12362 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
12363
12364 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
12365 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
12366 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
12367 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
12368 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
12369 underscore.
12370
12371 @menu
12372 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
12373 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
12374 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
12375 @end menu
12376
12377 @node Fortran Operators
12378 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
12379
12380 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
12381
12382 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12383 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
12384 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
12385
12386 @table @code
12387 @item **
12388 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
12389 of the second one.
12390
12391 @item :
12392 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
12393 represent a section of array.
12394
12395 @item %
12396 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
12397 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
12398 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
12399 union type.
12400 @end table
12401
12402 @node Fortran Defaults
12403 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
12404
12405 @cindex Fortran Defaults
12406
12407 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
12408 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
12409 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
12410 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
12411
12412 @node Special Fortran Commands
12413 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
12414
12415 @cindex Special Fortran commands
12416
12417 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
12418 such as displaying common blocks.
12419
12420 @table @code
12421 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
12422 @kindex info common
12423 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
12424 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
12425 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
12426 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
12427 printed.
12428 @end table
12429
12430 @node Pascal
12431 @subsection Pascal
12432
12433 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
12434 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
12435 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
12436 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
12437 syntax.
12438
12439 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
12440 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
12441 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
12442
12443 @node Modula-2
12444 @subsection Modula-2
12445
12446 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
12447
12448 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
12449 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
12450 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
12451 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12452 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
12453 table.
12454
12455 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
12456 @menu
12457 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
12458 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
12459 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
12460 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
12461 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
12462 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
12463 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
12464 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12465 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12466 @end menu
12467
12468 @node M2 Operators
12469 @subsubsection Operators
12470 @cindex Modula-2 operators
12471
12472 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12473 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12474 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
12475 following definitions hold:
12476
12477 @itemize @bullet
12478
12479 @item
12480 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
12481 their subranges.
12482
12483 @item
12484 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
12485
12486 @item
12487 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
12488
12489 @item
12490 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
12491 @var{type}}.
12492
12493 @item
12494 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
12495
12496 @item
12497 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
12498
12499 @item
12500 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
12501 @end itemize
12502
12503 @noindent
12504 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
12505 increasing precedence:
12506
12507 @table @code
12508 @item ,
12509 Function argument or array index separator.
12510
12511 @item :=
12512 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
12513 @var{value}.
12514
12515 @item <@r{, }>
12516 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
12517 types.
12518
12519 @item <=@r{, }>=
12520 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
12521 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
12522 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
12523
12524 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
12525 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
12526 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
12527 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
12528 comment character.
12529
12530 @item IN
12531 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
12532 Same precedence as @code{<}.
12533
12534 @item OR
12535 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12536
12537 @item AND@r{, }&
12538 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12539
12540 @item @@
12541 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12542
12543 @item +@r{, }-
12544 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
12545 and difference on set types.
12546
12547 @item *
12548 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
12549 on set types.
12550
12551 @item /
12552 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
12553 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
12554
12555 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
12556 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
12557 precedence as @code{*}.
12558
12559 @item -
12560 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
12561
12562 @item ^
12563 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
12564
12565 @item NOT
12566 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
12567 @code{^}.
12568
12569 @item .
12570 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
12571 precedence as @code{^}.
12572
12573 @item []
12574 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
12575
12576 @item ()
12577 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
12578 as @code{^}.
12579
12580 @item ::@r{, }.
12581 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
12582 @end table
12583
12584 @quotation
12585 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
12586 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
12587 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
12588 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
12589 @end quotation
12590
12591
12592 @node Built-In Func/Proc
12593 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
12594 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
12595
12596 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
12597 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
12598
12599 @table @var
12600
12601 @item a
12602 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
12603
12604 @item c
12605 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
12606
12607 @item i
12608 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
12609
12610 @item m
12611 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
12612 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
12613 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
12614
12615 @item n
12616 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
12617
12618 @item r
12619 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
12620
12621 @item t
12622 represents a type.
12623
12624 @item v
12625 represents a variable.
12626
12627 @item x
12628 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
12629 explanation of the function for details.
12630 @end table
12631
12632 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
12633
12634 @table @code
12635 @item ABS(@var{n})
12636 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
12637
12638 @item CAP(@var{c})
12639 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
12640 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
12641
12642 @item CHR(@var{i})
12643 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12644
12645 @item DEC(@var{v})
12646 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12647
12648 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
12649 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12650 new value.
12651
12652 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12653 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
12654 set.
12655
12656 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
12657 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
12658
12659 @item HIGH(@var{a})
12660 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
12661
12662 @item INC(@var{v})
12663 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12664
12665 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
12666 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12667 new value.
12668
12669 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12670 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
12671 there. Returns the new set.
12672
12673 @item MAX(@var{t})
12674 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
12675
12676 @item MIN(@var{t})
12677 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
12678
12679 @item ODD(@var{i})
12680 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
12681
12682 @item ORD(@var{x})
12683 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
12684 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
12685 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
12686 integral, character and enumerated types.
12687
12688 @item SIZE(@var{x})
12689 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12690
12691 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
12692 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
12693
12694 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
12695 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12696
12697 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
12698 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12699 @end table
12700
12701 @quotation
12702 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
12703 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
12704 an error.
12705 @end quotation
12706
12707 @cindex Modula-2 constants
12708 @node M2 Constants
12709 @subsubsection Constants
12710
12711 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
12712 ways:
12713
12714 @itemize @bullet
12715
12716 @item
12717 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
12718 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
12719 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
12720 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
12721
12722 @item
12723 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
12724 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
12725 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
12726 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
12727 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
12728 digits.
12729
12730 @item
12731 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
12732 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
12733 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
12734 followed by a @samp{C}.
12735
12736 @item
12737 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
12738 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
12739 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
12740 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
12741 sequences.
12742
12743 @item
12744 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
12745
12746 @item
12747 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
12748 @code{FALSE}.
12749
12750 @item
12751 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
12752
12753 @item
12754 Set constants are not yet supported.
12755 @end itemize
12756
12757 @node M2 Types
12758 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
12759 @cindex Modula-2 types
12760
12761 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
12762 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
12763 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
12764 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
12765 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
12766 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
12767
12768 The first example contains the following section of code:
12769
12770 @smallexample
12771 VAR
12772 s: SET OF CHAR ;
12773 r: [20..40] ;
12774 @end smallexample
12775
12776 @noindent
12777 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
12778 @code{r} and @code{s}.
12779
12780 @smallexample
12781 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12782 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
12783 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12784 SET OF CHAR
12785 (@value{GDBP}) print r
12786 21
12787 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
12788 [20..40]
12789 @end smallexample
12790
12791 @noindent
12792 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
12793
12794 @smallexample
12795 VAR
12796 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
12797 @end smallexample
12798
12799 @noindent
12800 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
12801
12802 @smallexample
12803 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12804 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
12805 @end smallexample
12806
12807 @noindent
12808 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
12809 expressions using the debugger.
12810
12811 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
12812 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
12813
12814 @smallexample
12815 VAR
12816 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
12817 @end smallexample
12818
12819 @smallexample
12820 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12821 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
12822 @end smallexample
12823
12824 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
12825 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
12826 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
12827 above.
12828
12829 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
12830
12831 @smallexample
12832 TYPE
12833 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
12834 t = [blue..yellow] ;
12835 VAR
12836 s: t ;
12837 BEGIN
12838 s := blue ;
12839 @end smallexample
12840
12841 @noindent
12842 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
12843 and value of a variable.
12844
12845 @smallexample
12846 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12847 $1 = blue
12848 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
12849 type = [blue..yellow]
12850 @end smallexample
12851
12852 @noindent
12853 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
12854 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
12855 their @code{C} counterparts.
12856
12857 @smallexample
12858 VAR
12859 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12860 BEGIN
12861 s[1] := 1 ;
12862 @end smallexample
12863
12864 @smallexample
12865 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12866 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
12867 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12868 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12869 @end smallexample
12870
12871 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
12872 pointer types as shown in this example:
12873
12874 @smallexample
12875 VAR
12876 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12877 BEGIN
12878 NEW(s) ;
12879 s^[1] := 1 ;
12880 @end smallexample
12881
12882 @noindent
12883 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
12884
12885 @smallexample
12886 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12887 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12888 @end smallexample
12889
12890 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
12891 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
12892 types:
12893
12894 @smallexample
12895 TYPE
12896 foo = RECORD
12897 f1: CARDINAL ;
12898 f2: CHAR ;
12899 f3: myarray ;
12900 END ;
12901
12902 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
12903 myrange = [-2..2] ;
12904 VAR
12905 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
12906 @end smallexample
12907
12908 @noindent
12909 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
12910 below.
12911
12912 @smallexample
12913 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12914 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
12915 f1 : CARDINAL;
12916 f2 : CHAR;
12917 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
12918 END
12919 @end smallexample
12920
12921 @node M2 Defaults
12922 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
12923 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
12924
12925 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
12926 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
12927 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12928 selected the working language.
12929
12930 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
12931 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
12932 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
12933 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
12934
12935 @node Deviations
12936 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
12937 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
12938
12939 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
12940 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
12941
12942 @itemize @bullet
12943 @item
12944 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
12945 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
12946 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
12947 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
12948 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
12949 returned a pointer.)
12950
12951 @item
12952 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
12953 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
12954 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
12955 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
12956
12957 @item
12958 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
12959 argument.
12960
12961 @item
12962 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
12963 @end itemize
12964
12965 @node M2 Checks
12966 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
12967 @cindex Modula-2 checks
12968
12969 @quotation
12970 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
12971 range checking.
12972 @end quotation
12973 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
12974
12975 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
12976
12977 @itemize @bullet
12978 @item
12979 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
12980 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
12981
12982 @item
12983 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
12984 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
12985 @end itemize
12986
12987 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
12988 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
12989
12990 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
12991 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
12992
12993 @node M2 Scope
12994 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12995 @cindex scope
12996 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
12997 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
12998 @ifinfo
12999 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
13000 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
13001 @end ifinfo
13002 @ifnotinfo
13003 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
13004 @end ifnotinfo
13005
13006 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
13007 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
13008 similar syntax:
13009
13010 @smallexample
13011
13012 @var{module} . @var{id}
13013 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
13014 @end smallexample
13015
13016 @noindent
13017 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
13018 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
13019 identifier within your program, except another module.
13020
13021 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
13022 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
13023 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
13024 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
13025
13026 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
13027 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
13028 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
13029 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
13030 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
13031 @var{module}.
13032
13033 @node GDB/M2
13034 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13035
13036 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
13037 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
13038 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
13039 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
13040 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
13041 analogue in Modula-2.
13042
13043 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
13044 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
13045 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
13046 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
13047 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
13048 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
13049
13050 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
13051 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
13052 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
13053
13054 @node Ada
13055 @subsection Ada
13056 @cindex Ada
13057
13058 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
13059 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
13060 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
13061 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13062 to be difficult.
13063
13064
13065 @cindex expressions in Ada
13066 @menu
13067 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
13068 and semantics supported by Ada mode
13069 in @value{GDBN}.
13070 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
13071 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
13072 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
13073 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
13074 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13075 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
13076 Profile
13077 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
13078 @end menu
13079
13080 @node Ada Mode Intro
13081 @subsubsection Introduction
13082 @cindex Ada mode, general
13083
13084 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
13085 syntax, with some extensions.
13086 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
13087
13088 @itemize @bullet
13089 @item
13090 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
13091 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
13092 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
13093 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
13094
13095 @item
13096 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
13097 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13098
13099 @item
13100 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13101 @end itemize
13102
13103 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
13104 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
13105 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
13106 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
13107 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
13108
13109 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
13110 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
13111 was translated from an Ada source file.
13112
13113 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
13114 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
13115 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
13116 middle (to allow based literals).
13117
13118 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
13119 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
13120 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
13121 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
13122 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
13123 functions to procedures elsewhere.
13124
13125 @node Omissions from Ada
13126 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
13127 @cindex Ada, omissions from
13128
13129 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
13130
13131 @itemize @bullet
13132 @item
13133 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
13134
13135 @itemize @minus
13136 @item
13137 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
13138 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
13139
13140 @item
13141 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
13142
13143 @item
13144 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
13145
13146 @item
13147 @t{'Tag}.
13148
13149 @item
13150 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
13151 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
13152
13153 @item
13154 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
13155 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
13156
13157 @item
13158 @t{'Address}.
13159 @end itemize
13160
13161 @item
13162 The names in
13163 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
13164 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
13165 not currently available.
13166
13167 @item
13168 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
13169 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
13170 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
13171 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
13172 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
13173 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
13174 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
13175 indeterminate values.
13176
13177 @item
13178 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
13179 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
13180 are not implemented.
13181
13182 @item
13183 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
13184 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
13185 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
13186 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
13187 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
13188
13189 @smallexample
13190 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
13191 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
13192 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
13193 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
13194 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
13195 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
13196 @end smallexample
13197
13198 Changing a
13199 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
13200 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
13201 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
13202 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
13203 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
13204 declared to have a type such as:
13205
13206 @smallexample
13207 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
13208 Id : Integer;
13209 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
13210 end record;
13211 @end smallexample
13212
13213 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
13214 assignments:
13215
13216 @smallexample
13217 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
13218 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
13219 @end smallexample
13220
13221 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
13222 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
13223 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
13224 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
13225 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
13226 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
13227 redundant component associations, although which component values are
13228 assigned in such cases is not defined.
13229
13230 @item
13231 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
13232
13233 @item
13234 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
13235 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
13236 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
13237 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
13238 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
13239 the proper resolution.
13240
13241 @item
13242 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
13243
13244 @item
13245 Entry calls are not implemented.
13246
13247 @item
13248 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
13249 formats are not supported.
13250
13251 @item
13252 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
13253
13254 @item
13255 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
13256 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
13257 context.
13258 Should your program
13259 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
13260 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
13261 @end itemize
13262
13263 @node Additions to Ada
13264 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
13265 @cindex Ada, deviations from
13266
13267 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
13268 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
13269
13270 @itemize @bullet
13271 @item
13272 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
13273 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
13274 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
13275 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
13276 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
13277 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
13278 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
13279 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
13280
13281 @item
13282 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
13283 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
13284 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
13285
13286 @item
13287 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
13288 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
13289
13290 @item
13291 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
13292 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
13293 @end itemize
13294
13295 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
13296 additions specific to Ada:
13297
13298 @itemize @bullet
13299 @item
13300 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
13301 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
13302
13303 @smallexample
13304 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
13305 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
13306 @end smallexample
13307
13308 @item
13309 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
13310 the value of its right-hand operand.
13311 This allows, for example,
13312 complex conditional breaks:
13313
13314 @smallexample
13315 (@value{GDBP}) break f
13316 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
13317 @end smallexample
13318
13319 @item
13320 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
13321 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
13322 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
13323 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
13324 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
13325 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
13326 in strings. For example,
13327 @smallexample
13328 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
13329 @end smallexample
13330 @noindent
13331 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
13332 after each period.
13333
13334 @item
13335 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
13336 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
13337 to write
13338
13339 @smallexample
13340 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
13341 @end smallexample
13342
13343 @item
13344 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
13345 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
13346 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
13347 of 3 might print as
13348
13349 @smallexample
13350 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
13351 @end smallexample
13352
13353 @noindent
13354 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
13355 clause.
13356
13357 @item
13358 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
13359 multi-character subsequence of
13360 their names (an exact match gets preference).
13361 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
13362 in place of @t{a'length}.
13363
13364 @item
13365 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
13366 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
13367 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
13368 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
13369 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
13370 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
13371 For example,
13372 @smallexample
13373 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
13374 @end smallexample
13375
13376 @item
13377 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
13378 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
13379 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
13380 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
13381 object.
13382
13383 @end itemize
13384
13385 @node Stopping Before Main Program
13386 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
13387
13388 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
13389 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
13390 before reaching the main procedure.
13391 As defined in the Ada Reference
13392 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
13393 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
13394 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
13395 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
13396
13397 @node Ada Tasks
13398 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
13399 @cindex Ada, tasking
13400
13401 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
13402 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
13403
13404 @table @code
13405 @kindex info tasks
13406 @item info tasks
13407 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
13408
13409
13410 @smallexample
13411 @iftex
13412 @leftskip=0.5cm
13413 @end iftex
13414 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13415 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13416 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13417 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
13418 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
13419 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
13420
13421 @end smallexample
13422
13423 @noindent
13424 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
13425 task currently being inspected.
13426
13427 @table @asis
13428 @item ID
13429 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
13430
13431 @item TID
13432 The Ada task ID.
13433
13434 @item P-ID
13435 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
13436
13437 @item Pri
13438 The base priority of the task.
13439
13440 @item State
13441 Current state of the task.
13442
13443 @table @code
13444 @item Unactivated
13445 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
13446 executing.
13447
13448 @item Runnable
13449 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
13450 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
13451
13452 @item Terminated
13453 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
13454 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
13455 terminated themselves.
13456
13457 @item Child Activation Wait
13458 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
13459
13460 @item Accept Statement
13461 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
13462
13463 @item Waiting on entry call
13464 The task is waiting on an entry call.
13465
13466 @item Async Select Wait
13467 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
13468 select statement.
13469
13470 @item Delay Sleep
13471 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
13472 alternative open.
13473
13474 @item Child Termination Wait
13475 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
13476 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
13477 waiting on a terminate Phase.
13478
13479 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
13480 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
13481 finish terminating.
13482
13483 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
13484 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
13485 @end table
13486
13487 @item Name
13488 Name of the task in the program.
13489
13490 @end table
13491
13492 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
13493 @item info task @var{taskno}
13494 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
13495 the following example:
13496 @smallexample
13497 @iftex
13498 @leftskip=0.5cm
13499 @end iftex
13500 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13501 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13502 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13503 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
13504 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
13505 Ada Task: 0x807c468
13506 Name: task_1
13507 Thread: 0x807f378
13508 Parent: 1 (main_task)
13509 Base Priority: 15
13510 State: Runnable
13511 @end smallexample
13512
13513 @item task
13514 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
13515 @cindex current Ada task ID
13516 This command prints the ID of the current task.
13517
13518 @smallexample
13519 @iftex
13520 @leftskip=0.5cm
13521 @end iftex
13522 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13523 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13524 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13525 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13526 (@value{GDBP}) task
13527 [Current task is 2]
13528 @end smallexample
13529
13530 @item task @var{taskno}
13531 @cindex Ada task switching
13532 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
13533 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
13534 from the current task to the given task.
13535
13536 @smallexample
13537 @iftex
13538 @leftskip=0.5cm
13539 @end iftex
13540 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13541 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13542 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13543 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13544 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
13545 [Switching to task 1]
13546 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13547 (@value{GDBP}) bt
13548 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13549 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
13550 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
13551 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
13552 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
13553 @end smallexample
13554
13555 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
13556 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
13557 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
13558 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
13559 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
13560 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
13561 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
13562 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
13563 in @ref{Specify Location}.
13564
13565 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
13566 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
13567 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
13568 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
13569 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
13570
13571 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
13572 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
13573 program.
13574
13575 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
13576 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
13577 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
13578
13579 For example,
13580
13581 @smallexample
13582 @iftex
13583 @leftskip=0.5cm
13584 @end iftex
13585 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13586 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13587 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13588 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
13589 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13590 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
13591 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
13592 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
13593 (@value{GDBP}) cont
13594 Continuing.
13595 task # 1 running
13596 task # 2 running
13597
13598 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
13599 15 flush;
13600 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13601 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13602 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13603 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
13604 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13605 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
13606 @end smallexample
13607 @end table
13608
13609 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
13610 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13611 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
13612
13613 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
13614 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
13615 the platform being used.
13616 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
13617 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
13618 as usual.
13619
13620 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
13621 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
13622 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
13623 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
13624 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
13625 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
13626
13627 @node Ravenscar Profile
13628 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
13629 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
13630
13631 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
13632 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
13633 requirements.
13634
13635 @table @code
13636 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
13637 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
13638 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
13639 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13640 Profile. This is the default.
13641
13642 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
13643 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
13644 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13645 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
13646 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
13647 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
13648 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
13649
13650 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
13651 @item show ravenscar task-switching
13652 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
13653 using the Ravenscar Profile.
13654
13655 @end table
13656
13657 @node Ada Glitches
13658 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
13659 @cindex Ada, problems
13660
13661 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
13662 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
13663 @value{GDBN},
13664 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
13665 and the GNU Ada compiler.
13666
13667 @itemize @bullet
13668 @item
13669 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
13670 storage are invisible to the debugger.
13671
13672 @item
13673 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
13674 argument lists are treated as positional).
13675
13676 @item
13677 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
13678
13679 @item
13680 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
13681 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
13682 the host machine.
13683
13684 @item
13685 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
13686 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
13687 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
13688 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
13689 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
13690 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
13691 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
13692 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
13693 you can usually resolve the confusion
13694 by qualifying the problematic names with package
13695 @code{Standard} explicitly.
13696 @end itemize
13697
13698 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
13699 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
13700 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
13701 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
13702 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
13703 enabled.
13704
13705 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13706 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13707 @table @code
13708
13709 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
13710 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
13711 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
13712 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
13713 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
13714 This is the default.
13715
13716 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
13717 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
13718 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
13719 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
13720 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
13721 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
13722 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
13723
13724 @end table
13725
13726 @node Unsupported Languages
13727 @section Unsupported Languages
13728
13729 @cindex unsupported languages
13730 @cindex minimal language
13731 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
13732 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
13733 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
13734 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
13735 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
13736 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
13737
13738 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
13739 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
13740 language.
13741
13742 @node Symbols
13743 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
13744
13745 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
13746 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
13747 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
13748 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
13749 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
13750 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
13751 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
13752
13753 @cindex symbol names
13754 @cindex names of symbols
13755 @cindex quoting names
13756 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
13757 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
13758 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
13759 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
13760 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
13761 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
13762 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
13763 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
13764
13765 @smallexample
13766 p 'foo.c'::x
13767 @end smallexample
13768
13769 @noindent
13770 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
13771
13772 @table @code
13773 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
13774 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
13775 @kindex set case-sensitive
13776 @item set case-sensitive on
13777 @itemx set case-sensitive off
13778 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
13779 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
13780 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
13781 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
13782 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
13783 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
13784 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
13785 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
13786 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
13787 case-insensitive matches.
13788
13789 @kindex show case-sensitive
13790 @item show case-sensitive
13791 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
13792 lookups.
13793
13794 @kindex info address
13795 @cindex address of a symbol
13796 @item info address @var{symbol}
13797 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
13798 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
13799 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
13800 is always stored.
13801
13802 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
13803 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
13804 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
13805
13806 @kindex info symbol
13807 @cindex symbol from address
13808 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
13809 @item info symbol @var{addr}
13810 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
13811 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
13812 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
13813
13814 @smallexample
13815 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
13816 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
13817 @end smallexample
13818
13819 @noindent
13820 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
13821 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
13822
13823 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
13824 library containing the symbol is also printed:
13825
13826 @smallexample
13827 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
13828 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
13829 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
13830 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
13831 @end smallexample
13832
13833 @kindex whatis
13834 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
13835 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
13836 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
13837 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
13838 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
13839 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
13840 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
13841 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
13842 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
13843 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
13844 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13845
13846 @kindex ptype
13847 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
13848 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
13849 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
13850 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13851
13852 For example, for this variable declaration:
13853
13854 @smallexample
13855 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
13856 @end smallexample
13857
13858 @noindent
13859 the two commands give this output:
13860
13861 @smallexample
13862 @group
13863 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
13864 type = struct complex
13865 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
13866 type = struct complex @{
13867 double real;
13868 double imag;
13869 @}
13870 @end group
13871 @end smallexample
13872
13873 @noindent
13874 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
13875 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13876
13877 @cindex incomplete type
13878 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
13879 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
13880 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
13881 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
13882 given these declarations:
13883
13884 @smallexample
13885 struct foo;
13886 struct foo *fooptr;
13887 @end smallexample
13888
13889 @noindent
13890 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
13891
13892 @smallexample
13893 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
13894 $1 = <incomplete type>
13895 @end smallexample
13896
13897 @noindent
13898 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
13899 completely specified.
13900
13901 @kindex info types
13902 @item info types @var{regexp}
13903 @itemx info types
13904 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
13905 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
13906 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
13907 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
13908 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
13909 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
13910 name is @code{value}.
13911
13912 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
13913 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
13914 lists all source files where a type is defined.
13915
13916 @kindex info scope
13917 @cindex local variables
13918 @item info scope @var{location}
13919 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
13920 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
13921 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
13922 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
13923 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
13924
13925 @smallexample
13926 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
13927 Scope for command_line_handler:
13928 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
13929 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
13930 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
13931 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
13932 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
13933 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
13934 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
13935 @end smallexample
13936
13937 @noindent
13938 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
13939 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
13940 collect}.
13941
13942 @kindex info source
13943 @item info source
13944 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
13945 the function containing the current point of execution:
13946 @itemize @bullet
13947 @item
13948 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
13949 @item
13950 the directory it was compiled in,
13951 @item
13952 its length, in lines,
13953 @item
13954 which programming language it is written in,
13955 @item
13956 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
13957 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
13958 @item
13959 whether the debugging information includes information about
13960 preprocessor macros.
13961 @end itemize
13962
13963
13964 @kindex info sources
13965 @item info sources
13966 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
13967 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
13968 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
13969
13970 @kindex info functions
13971 @item info functions
13972 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
13973
13974 @item info functions @var{regexp}
13975 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
13976 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
13977 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
13978 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
13979 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
13980 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
13981 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
13982
13983 @kindex info variables
13984 @item info variables
13985 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
13986 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
13987
13988 @item info variables @var{regexp}
13989 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
13990 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
13991 @var{regexp}.
13992
13993 @kindex info classes
13994 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
13995 @item info classes
13996 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
13997 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
13998 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13999 expression.
14000
14001 @kindex info selectors
14002 @item info selectors
14003 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
14004 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
14005 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
14006 expression.
14007
14008 @ignore
14009 This was never implemented.
14010 @kindex info methods
14011 @item info methods
14012 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
14013 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
14014 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
14015 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
14016 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
14017 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
14018 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
14019 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
14020 @end ignore
14021
14022 @cindex reloading symbols
14023 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
14024 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
14025 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
14026 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
14027 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
14028
14029 @table @code
14030 @kindex set symbol-reloading
14031 @item set symbol-reloading on
14032 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
14033 object file with a particular name is seen again.
14034
14035 @item set symbol-reloading off
14036 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
14037 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
14038 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
14039 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
14040 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
14041 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
14042 name.
14043
14044 @kindex show symbol-reloading
14045 @item show symbol-reloading
14046 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
14047 @end table
14048
14049 @cindex opaque data types
14050 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
14051 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
14052 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
14053 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
14054 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
14055 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
14056 another source file. The default is on.
14057
14058 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
14059 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
14060
14061 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
14062 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
14063 is printed as follows:
14064 @smallexample
14065 @{<no data fields>@}
14066 @end smallexample
14067
14068 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
14069 @item show opaque-type-resolution
14070 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
14071
14072 @kindex maint print symbols
14073 @cindex symbol dump
14074 @kindex maint print psymbols
14075 @cindex partial symbol dump
14076 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
14077 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
14078 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
14079 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
14080 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
14081 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
14082 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
14083 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
14084 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
14085 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
14086 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
14087 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
14088 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
14089 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
14090 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
14091 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
14092 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
14093
14094 @kindex maint info symtabs
14095 @kindex maint info psymtabs
14096 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
14097 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14098 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14099 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14100 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14101 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14102
14103 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
14104 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
14105 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
14106 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
14107 structure in more detail. For example:
14108
14109 @smallexample
14110 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
14111 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14112 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14113 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14114 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
14115 readin no
14116 fullname (null)
14117 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
14118 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
14119 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
14120 dependencies (none)
14121 @}
14122 @}
14123 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14124 (@value{GDBP})
14125 @end smallexample
14126 @noindent
14127 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
14128 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
14129 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
14130 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
14131 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
14132
14133 @smallexample
14134 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
14135 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
14136 line 1574.
14137 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14138 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14139 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14140 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14141 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
14142 dirname (null)
14143 fullname (null)
14144 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
14145 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
14146 debugformat DWARF 2
14147 @}
14148 @}
14149 (@value{GDBP})
14150 @end smallexample
14151 @end table
14152
14153
14154 @node Altering
14155 @chapter Altering Execution
14156
14157 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
14158 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
14159 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
14160 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
14161 program.
14162
14163 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
14164 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
14165 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
14166
14167 @menu
14168 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
14169 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
14170 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
14171 * Returning:: Returning from a function
14172 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
14173 * Patching:: Patching your program
14174 @end menu
14175
14176 @node Assignment
14177 @section Assignment to Variables
14178
14179 @cindex assignment
14180 @cindex setting variables
14181 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
14182 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
14183
14184 @smallexample
14185 print x=4
14186 @end smallexample
14187
14188 @noindent
14189 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
14190 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
14191 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
14192 information on operators in supported languages.
14193
14194 @kindex set variable
14195 @cindex variables, setting
14196 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
14197 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
14198 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
14199 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
14200 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
14201
14202 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
14203 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
14204 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
14205 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
14206 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
14207 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
14208 command @code{set width}:
14209
14210 @smallexample
14211 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
14212 type = double
14213 (@value{GDBP}) p width
14214 $4 = 13
14215 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
14216 Invalid syntax in expression.
14217 @end smallexample
14218
14219 @noindent
14220 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
14221 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
14222
14223 @smallexample
14224 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
14225 @end smallexample
14226
14227 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
14228 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
14229 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
14230 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
14231 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
14232 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
14233
14234 @smallexample
14235 @group
14236 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
14237 type = double
14238 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14239 $1 = 1
14240 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
14241 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14242 $2 = 1
14243 (@value{GDBP}) r
14244 The program being debugged has been started already.
14245 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
14246 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
14247 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
14248 Invalid bfd target.
14249 (@value{GDBP}) show g
14250 The current BFD target is "=4".
14251 @end group
14252 @end smallexample
14253
14254 @noindent
14255 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
14256 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
14257 @code{g}, use
14258
14259 @smallexample
14260 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
14261 @end smallexample
14262
14263 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
14264 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
14265 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
14266 same length or shorter.
14267 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
14268 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
14269
14270 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
14271 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
14272 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
14273 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
14274 and representation in memory), and
14275
14276 @smallexample
14277 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
14278 @end smallexample
14279
14280 @noindent
14281 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
14282
14283 @node Jumping
14284 @section Continuing at a Different Address
14285
14286 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
14287 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
14288 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
14289
14290 @table @code
14291 @kindex jump
14292 @item jump @var{linespec}
14293 @itemx jump @var{location}
14294 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
14295 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
14296 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
14297 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
14298 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
14299 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
14300
14301 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
14302 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
14303 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
14304 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
14305 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
14306 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
14307 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
14308 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
14309 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
14310 @end table
14311
14312 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
14313 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
14314 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
14315 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
14316 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
14317 example,
14318
14319 @smallexample
14320 set $pc = 0x485
14321 @end smallexample
14322
14323 @noindent
14324 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
14325 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
14326 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
14327
14328 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
14329 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
14330 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
14331 detail.
14332
14333 @c @group
14334 @node Signaling
14335 @section Giving your Program a Signal
14336 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
14337
14338 @table @code
14339 @kindex signal
14340 @item signal @var{signal}
14341 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
14342 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
14343 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
14344 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
14345
14346 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
14347 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
14348 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
14349 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
14350 signal.
14351
14352 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
14353 after executing the command.
14354 @end table
14355 @c @end group
14356
14357 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
14358 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
14359 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
14360 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
14361 passes the signal directly to your program.
14362
14363
14364 @node Returning
14365 @section Returning from a Function
14366
14367 @table @code
14368 @cindex returning from a function
14369 @kindex return
14370 @item return
14371 @itemx return @var{expression}
14372 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
14373 command. If you give an
14374 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
14375 value.
14376 @end table
14377
14378 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
14379 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
14380 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
14381 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
14382
14383 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
14384 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
14385 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
14386 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
14387 of functions.
14388
14389 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
14390 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
14391 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
14392 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
14393 selected stack frame returns naturally.
14394
14395 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
14396 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
14397 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
14398 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
14399 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
14400 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
14401 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
14402 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
14403 assignment into the right register(s).
14404
14405 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
14406 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
14407 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
14408 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
14409 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
14410 into a @code{long long int}:
14411
14412 @smallexample
14413 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
14414 29 return 31;
14415 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14416 Make func return now? (y or n) y
14417 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
14418 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
14419 (@value{GDBP})
14420 @end smallexample
14421
14422 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
14423 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
14424 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
14425 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
14426 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
14427 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
14428 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
14429 an appropriate cast explicitly:
14430
14431 @smallexample
14432 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
14433 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14434 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
14435 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
14436 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
14437 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
14438 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
14439 (@value{GDBP})
14440 @end smallexample
14441
14442 @node Calling
14443 @section Calling Program Functions
14444
14445 @table @code
14446 @cindex calling functions
14447 @cindex inferior functions, calling
14448 @item print @var{expr}
14449 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
14450 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
14451 debugged.
14452
14453 @kindex call
14454 @item call @var{expr}
14455 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
14456 returned values.
14457
14458 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
14459 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
14460 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
14461 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
14462 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
14463 value history.
14464 @end table
14465
14466 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
14467 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
14468 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
14469 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
14470
14471 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
14472 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
14473 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
14474 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
14475 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
14476 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
14477 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
14478 in that case is controlled by the
14479 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
14480
14481 @table @code
14482 @item set unwindonsignal
14483 @kindex set unwindonsignal
14484 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
14485 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
14486 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
14487 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
14488 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
14489 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
14490 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
14491 received.
14492
14493 @item show unwindonsignal
14494 @kindex show unwindonsignal
14495 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14496 @value{GDBN}.
14497
14498 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14499 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14500 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
14501 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
14502 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
14503 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
14504 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
14505 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
14506 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
14507 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
14508
14509 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14510 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14511 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14512 @value{GDBN}.
14513
14514 @end table
14515
14516 @cindex weak alias functions
14517 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
14518 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
14519 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
14520 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
14521 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
14522 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
14523 function instead.
14524
14525 @node Patching
14526 @section Patching Programs
14527
14528 @cindex patching binaries
14529 @cindex writing into executables
14530 @cindex writing into corefiles
14531
14532 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
14533 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
14534 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
14535 patching your program's binary.
14536
14537 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
14538 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
14539 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
14540 repairs.
14541
14542 @table @code
14543 @kindex set write
14544 @item set write on
14545 @itemx set write off
14546 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
14547 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
14548 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
14549
14550 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
14551 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
14552 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
14553
14554 @item show write
14555 @kindex show write
14556 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
14557 as well as reading.
14558 @end table
14559
14560 @node GDB Files
14561 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
14562
14563 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
14564 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
14565 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
14566 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
14567
14568 @menu
14569 * Files:: Commands to specify files
14570 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
14571 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
14572 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
14573 * Data Files:: GDB data files
14574 @end menu
14575
14576 @node Files
14577 @section Commands to Specify Files
14578
14579 @cindex symbol table
14580 @cindex core dump file
14581
14582 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
14583 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
14584 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
14585 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
14586
14587 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
14588 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
14589 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
14590 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
14591 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
14592 new files are useful.
14593
14594 @table @code
14595 @cindex executable file
14596 @kindex file
14597 @item file @var{filename}
14598 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
14599 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
14600 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
14601 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
14602 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
14603 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
14604 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
14605 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
14606
14607 @cindex unlinked object files
14608 @cindex patching object files
14609 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
14610 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
14611 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
14612 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
14613 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
14614 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
14615 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
14616 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
14617
14618 @item file
14619 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
14620 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
14621
14622 @kindex exec-file
14623 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14624 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
14625 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
14626 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
14627 discard information on the executable file.
14628
14629 @kindex symbol-file
14630 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14631 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
14632 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
14633 table and program to run from the same file.
14634
14635 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
14636 program's symbol table.
14637
14638 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
14639 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
14640 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
14641 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
14642 @value{GDBN}.
14643
14644 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
14645 executing it once.
14646
14647 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
14648 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
14649 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
14650 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
14651 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
14652 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
14653 optimized code.
14654
14655 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
14656 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
14657 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
14658 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
14659 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
14660
14661 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
14662 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
14663 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
14664 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
14665 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
14666 Warnings and Messages}.)
14667
14668 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
14669 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
14670 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
14671 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
14672 in stabs format.
14673
14674 @kindex readnow
14675 @cindex reading symbols immediately
14676 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
14677 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14678 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14679 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
14680 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
14681 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
14682 entire symbol table available.
14683
14684 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
14685 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
14686 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
14687 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
14688 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
14689 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
14690 @c files.
14691
14692 @kindex core-file
14693 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
14694 @itemx core
14695 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
14696 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
14697 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
14698 executable file itself for other parts.
14699
14700 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
14701 to be used.
14702
14703 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
14704 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
14705 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
14706 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
14707 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
14708
14709 @kindex add-symbol-file
14710 @cindex dynamic linking
14711 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
14712 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
14713 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
14714 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
14715 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
14716 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
14717 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
14718 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
14719 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
14720 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
14721 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
14722 @var{address} as an expression.
14723
14724 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
14725 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
14726 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
14727 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
14728 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
14729
14730 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
14731 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
14732 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
14733 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
14734 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
14735 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
14736 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
14737 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
14738 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
14739
14740 @itemize @bullet
14741 @item
14742 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
14743 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
14744 @item
14745 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
14746 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
14747 @item
14748 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
14749 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14750 @end itemize
14751
14752 @noindent
14753 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
14754 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
14755 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
14756 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
14757 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
14758 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
14759 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
14760 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
14761 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
14762 way.
14763
14764 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
14765
14766 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
14767 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
14768 @cindex load symbols from memory
14769 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
14770 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
14771 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
14772 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
14773 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
14774 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
14775 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
14776 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
14777 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
14778
14779 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
14780 @kindex assf
14781 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
14782 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
14783 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
14784 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
14785 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
14786 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
14787 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
14788 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
14789 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
14790 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
14791
14792 @kindex section
14793 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
14794 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
14795 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
14796 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
14797 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
14798 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
14799 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
14800 their addresses.
14801
14802 @kindex info files
14803 @kindex info target
14804 @item info files
14805 @itemx info target
14806 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
14807 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
14808 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
14809 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
14810 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
14811 current ones.
14812
14813 @kindex maint info sections
14814 @item maint info sections
14815 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
14816 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
14817 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
14818 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
14819 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
14820 may be arbitrarily combined):
14821
14822 @table @code
14823 @item ALLOBJ
14824 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
14825 @item @var{sections}
14826 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
14827 @item @var{section-flags}
14828 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
14829 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
14830 @table @code
14831 @item ALLOC
14832 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
14833 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
14834 @item LOAD
14835 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
14836 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
14837 @item RELOC
14838 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
14839 @item READONLY
14840 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
14841 @item CODE
14842 Section contains executable code only.
14843 @item DATA
14844 Section contains data only (no executable code).
14845 @item ROM
14846 Section will reside in ROM.
14847 @item CONSTRUCTOR
14848 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
14849 @item HAS_CONTENTS
14850 Section is not empty.
14851 @item NEVER_LOAD
14852 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
14853 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
14854 A notification to the linker that the section contains
14855 COFF shared library information.
14856 @item IS_COMMON
14857 Section contains common symbols.
14858 @end table
14859 @end table
14860 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
14861 @cindex read-only sections
14862 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
14863 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
14864 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
14865 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
14866 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
14867 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
14868 enhancement to debugging performance.
14869
14870 The default is off.
14871
14872 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
14873 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
14874 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
14875 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
14876
14877 @item show trust-readonly-sections
14878 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
14879 @end table
14880
14881 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
14882 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
14883 name and remembers it that way.
14884
14885 @cindex shared libraries
14886 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
14887 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
14888 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
14889
14890 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
14891 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
14892
14893 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
14894 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
14895 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
14896 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
14897 debugging a core file).
14898
14899 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
14900 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
14901
14902 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
14903 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
14904 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
14905
14906 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
14907 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
14908 particularly large or there are many of them.
14909
14910 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
14911 commands:
14912
14913 @table @code
14914 @kindex set auto-solib-add
14915 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
14916 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
14917 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
14918 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
14919 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
14920 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
14921 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
14922
14923 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
14924 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
14925 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
14926 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
14927 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
14928 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
14929 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
14930 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
14931 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
14932
14933 @kindex show auto-solib-add
14934 @item show auto-solib-add
14935 Display the current autoloading mode.
14936 @end table
14937
14938 @cindex load shared library
14939 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
14940 command:
14941
14942 @table @code
14943 @kindex info sharedlibrary
14944 @kindex info share
14945 @item info share @var{regex}
14946 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14947 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
14948 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
14949 all shared libraries that are loaded.
14950
14951 @kindex sharedlibrary
14952 @kindex share
14953 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14954 @itemx share @var{regex}
14955 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
14956 Unix regular expression.
14957 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
14958 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
14959 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
14960 loaded.
14961
14962 @item nosharedlibrary
14963 @kindex nosharedlibrary
14964 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
14965 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
14966 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
14967 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
14968 discarded.
14969 @end table
14970
14971 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
14972 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
14973 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
14974
14975 @table @code
14976 @item set stop-on-solib-events
14977 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
14978 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
14979 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
14980 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
14981 shared library.
14982
14983 @item show stop-on-solib-events
14984 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
14985 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
14986 library events happen.
14987 @end table
14988
14989 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
14990 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
14991 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
14992 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
14993 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
14994 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
14995 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
14996 not.
14997
14998 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
14999 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
15000 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
15001 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
15002 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
15003
15004 @table @code
15005 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
15006 @cindex system root, alternate
15007 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
15008 @kindex set sysroot
15009 @item set sysroot @var{path}
15010 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
15011 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
15012 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
15013 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
15014 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
15015 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
15016 under @var{path}.
15017
15018 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
15019 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
15020 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
15021 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
15022 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
15023 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
15024 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
15025 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
15026 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
15027
15028 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
15029 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
15030 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
15031 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
15032 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
15033
15034 @smallexample
15035 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
15036 @end smallexample
15037
15038 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
15039 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
15040 system:
15041
15042 @smallexample
15043 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
15044 @end smallexample
15045
15046 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
15047 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
15048 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
15049 colons:
15050
15051 @smallexample
15052 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
15053 @end smallexample
15054
15055 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
15056 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
15057 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
15058 @samp{z}):
15059
15060 @smallexample
15061 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
15062 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15063 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15064 @end smallexample
15065
15066 @noindent
15067 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
15068 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
15069 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
15070
15071 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
15072 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
15073
15074 @smallexample
15075 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
15076 @end smallexample
15077
15078 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
15079 if you don't want or need to.
15080
15081 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
15082 sysroot}.
15083
15084 @cindex default system root
15085 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
15086 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
15087 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
15088 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15089 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
15090 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15091 location.
15092
15093 @kindex show sysroot
15094 @item show sysroot
15095 Display the current shared library prefix.
15096
15097 @kindex set solib-search-path
15098 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
15099 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15100 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
15101 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
15102 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
15103 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
15104 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
15105 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
15106 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
15107 of shared library symbols.
15108
15109 @kindex show solib-search-path
15110 @item show solib-search-path
15111 Display the current shared library search path.
15112
15113 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
15114 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
15115 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
15116 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
15117 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
15118
15119 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
15120 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
15121 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
15122 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
15123 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
15124 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
15125 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
15126 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
15127 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
15128 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
15129 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
15130 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
15131 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
15132 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
15133 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
15134 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
15135 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
15136 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
15137 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
15138 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
15139 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
15140 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
15141
15142 @table @code
15143 @item unix
15144 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
15145 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
15146 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
15147 the forward slash.
15148
15149 @item dos-based
15150 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
15151 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
15152 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
15153 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
15154 considered directory separators.
15155
15156 @item auto
15157 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
15158 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
15159 This is the default.
15160 @end table
15161 @end table
15162
15163
15164 @node Separate Debug Files
15165 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
15166 @cindex separate debugging information files
15167 @cindex debugging information in separate files
15168 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
15169 @cindex debugging information directory, global
15170 @cindex global debugging information directory
15171 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
15172 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
15173
15174 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
15175 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
15176 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
15177 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
15178 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
15179 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
15180 install only when they need to debug a problem.
15181
15182 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
15183 file:
15184
15185 @itemize @bullet
15186 @item
15187 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
15188 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
15189 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
15190 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
15191 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
15192 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
15193 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
15194 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
15195
15196 @item
15197 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
15198 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
15199 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
15200 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
15201 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
15202 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
15203 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
15204 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
15205 below.
15206 @end itemize
15207
15208 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
15209 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
15210
15211 @itemize @bullet
15212 @item
15213 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
15214 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
15215 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
15216 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
15217 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
15218
15219 @item
15220 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
15221 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
15222 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
15223 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
15224 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
15225 hex characters, not 10.)
15226 @end itemize
15227
15228 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
15229 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
15230 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
15231 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
15232 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
15233 debug information files, in the indicated order:
15234
15235 @itemize @minus
15236 @item
15237 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
15238 @item
15239 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
15240 @item
15241 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
15242 @item
15243 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
15244 @end itemize
15245
15246 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
15247 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
15248
15249 @table @code
15250
15251 @kindex set debug-file-directory
15252 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
15253 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15254 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
15255 concatenating them by a directory separator.
15256
15257 @kindex show debug-file-directory
15258 @item show debug-file-directory
15259 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15260 information files.
15261
15262 @end table
15263
15264 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
15265 @cindex debug link sections
15266 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
15267 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
15268
15269 @itemize
15270 @item
15271 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
15272 a zero byte,
15273 @item
15274 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
15275 boundary within the section, and
15276 @item
15277 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
15278 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
15279 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
15280 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
15281 @end itemize
15282
15283 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
15284 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
15285 described above.
15286
15287 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
15288 @cindex build ID sections
15289 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
15290 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
15291 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
15292 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
15293 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
15294 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
15295 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
15296 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
15297 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
15298
15299 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
15300 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
15301 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
15302 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
15303 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
15304 in an ordinary executable.
15305
15306 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
15307 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
15308 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
15309 following commands:
15310
15311 @smallexample
15312 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
15313 @kbd{strip -g foo}
15314 @end smallexample
15315
15316 @noindent
15317 These commands remove the debugging
15318 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
15319 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
15320 two files:
15321
15322 @itemize @bullet
15323 @item
15324 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
15325 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
15326
15327 @smallexample
15328 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
15329 @end smallexample
15330
15331 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
15332 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
15333 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
15334 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
15335
15336 @item
15337 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
15338 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
15339 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
15340 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
15341 @end itemize
15342
15343 @noindent
15344
15345 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
15346 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
15347 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
15348
15349 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
15350 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
15351 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
15352 @c different ways!
15353 @ifhtml
15354 @display
15355 @html
15356 <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>
15357 + <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
15358 @end html
15359 @end display
15360 @end ifhtml
15361 @ifnothtml
15362 @display
15363 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
15364 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
15365 @end display
15366 @end ifnothtml
15367
15368 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
15369 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
15370 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
15371 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
15372 CRC.
15373
15374 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
15375 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
15376 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
15377 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
15378 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
15379 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
15380
15381 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
15382 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
15383 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
15384 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
15385 @code{0xffffffff}.
15386
15387 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
15388 @smallexample
15389 unsigned long
15390 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
15391 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
15392 @{
15393 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
15394 @{
15395 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
15396 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
15397 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
15398 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
15399 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
15400 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
15401 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
15402 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
15403 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
15404 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
15405 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
15406 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
15407 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
15408 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
15409 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
15410 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
15411 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
15412 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
15413 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
15414 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
15415 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
15416 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
15417 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
15418 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
15419 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
15420 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
15421 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
15422 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
15423 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
15424 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
15425 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
15426 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
15427 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
15428 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
15429 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
15430 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
15431 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
15432 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
15433 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
15434 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
15435 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
15436 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
15437 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
15438 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
15439 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
15440 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
15441 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
15442 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
15443 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
15444 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
15445 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
15446 0x2d02ef8d
15447 @};
15448 unsigned char *end;
15449
15450 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15451 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
15452 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
15453 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15454 @}
15455 @end smallexample
15456
15457 @noindent
15458 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
15459
15460
15461 @node Index Files
15462 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
15463 @cindex index files
15464 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
15465
15466 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
15467 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
15468 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
15469 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
15470 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
15471 startup.
15472
15473 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
15474 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
15475 using @command{objcopy}.
15476
15477 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
15478
15479 @table @code
15480 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
15481 @kindex save gdb-index
15482 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
15483 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
15484 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
15485 @var{directory}.
15486 @end table
15487
15488 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
15489 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
15490
15491 @smallexample
15492 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
15493 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
15494 @end smallexample
15495
15496 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
15497 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
15498 currently work for programs using Ada.
15499
15500 @node Symbol Errors
15501 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
15502
15503 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
15504 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
15505 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
15506 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
15507 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
15508 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
15509 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
15510 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
15511 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
15512 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15513 Messages}).
15514
15515 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
15516
15517 @table @code
15518 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
15519
15520 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
15521 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
15522 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
15523 in its outer scope blocks.
15524
15525 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
15526 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
15527 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
15528 function.
15529
15530 @item block at @var{address} out of order
15531
15532 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
15533 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
15534 do so.
15535
15536 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
15537 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
15538 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
15539 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15540 Messages}.)
15541
15542 @item bad block start address patched
15543
15544 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
15545 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
15546 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
15547
15548 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
15549 starting on the previous source line.
15550
15551 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
15552
15553 @cindex foo
15554 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
15555 larger than the size of the string table.
15556
15557 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
15558 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
15559 with this name.
15560
15561 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
15562
15563 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
15564 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
15565 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
15566
15567 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
15568 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
15569 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
15570 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
15571 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
15572 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
15573
15574 @item stub type has NULL name
15575
15576 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
15577
15578 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
15579 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
15580 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
15581 it.
15582
15583 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
15584
15585 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
15586
15587 @end table
15588
15589 @node Data Files
15590 @section GDB Data Files
15591
15592 @cindex prefix for data files
15593 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
15594 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
15595
15596 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
15597 is currently using.
15598
15599 @table @code
15600 @kindex set data-directory
15601 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
15602 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
15603 to @var{directory}.
15604
15605 @kindex show data-directory
15606 @item show data-directory
15607 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
15608 @end table
15609
15610 @cindex default data directory
15611 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
15612 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
15613 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
15614 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15615 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
15616 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15617 location.
15618
15619 The data directory may also be specified with the
15620 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
15621 @xref{Mode Options}.
15622
15623 @node Targets
15624 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
15625
15626 @cindex debugging target
15627 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
15628
15629 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
15630 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
15631 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
15632 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
15633 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
15634 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
15635 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
15636 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
15637
15638 @cindex target architecture
15639 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
15640 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
15641 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
15642 command.
15643
15644 @table @code
15645 @kindex set architecture
15646 @kindex show architecture
15647 @item set architecture @var{arch}
15648 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
15649 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
15650 supported architectures.
15651
15652 @item show architecture
15653 Show the current target architecture.
15654
15655 @item set processor
15656 @itemx processor
15657 @kindex set processor
15658 @kindex show processor
15659 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
15660 and @code{show architecture}.
15661 @end table
15662
15663 @menu
15664 * Active Targets:: Active targets
15665 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
15666 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
15667 @end menu
15668
15669 @node Active Targets
15670 @section Active Targets
15671
15672 @cindex stacking targets
15673 @cindex active targets
15674 @cindex multiple targets
15675
15676 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
15677 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
15678 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
15679 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
15680 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
15681 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
15682 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
15683 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
15684 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
15685
15686 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
15687 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
15688 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
15689 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
15690
15691 @node Target Commands
15692 @section Commands for Managing Targets
15693
15694 @table @code
15695 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
15696 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
15697 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
15698 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
15699 protocol of the target machine.
15700
15701 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
15702 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
15703 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
15704
15705 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
15706 after executing the command.
15707
15708 @kindex help target
15709 @item help target
15710 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
15711 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
15712 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15713
15714 @item help target @var{name}
15715 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
15716 select it.
15717
15718 @kindex set gnutarget
15719 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
15720 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
15721 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
15722 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
15723 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
15724 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
15725
15726 @quotation
15727 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
15728 you must know the actual BFD name.
15729 @end quotation
15730
15731 @noindent
15732 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
15733
15734 @kindex show gnutarget
15735 @item show gnutarget
15736 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
15737 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
15738 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
15739 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
15740 @end table
15741
15742 @cindex common targets
15743 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
15744 configuration):
15745
15746 @table @code
15747 @kindex target
15748 @item target exec @var{program}
15749 @cindex executable file target
15750 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
15751 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
15752
15753 @item target core @var{filename}
15754 @cindex core dump file target
15755 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
15756 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
15757
15758 @item target remote @var{medium}
15759 @cindex remote target
15760 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
15761 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
15762 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
15763
15764 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
15765 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
15766
15767 @smallexample
15768 target remote /dev/ttya
15769 @end smallexample
15770
15771 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
15772 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
15773 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
15774 clobbered by the download.
15775
15776 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
15777 @cindex built-in simulator target
15778 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
15779 In general,
15780 @smallexample
15781 target sim
15782 load
15783 run
15784 @end smallexample
15785 @noindent
15786 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
15787 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
15788 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
15789 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
15790 Processors}.
15791
15792 @end table
15793
15794 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
15795
15796 @table @code
15797
15798 @item target nrom @var{dev}
15799 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
15800 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
15801
15802 @end table
15803
15804 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
15805 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
15806
15807 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
15808 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
15809 various aspects of this process.
15810
15811 @table @code
15812
15813 @item set hash
15814 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15815 @cindex hash mark while downloading
15816 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
15817 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
15818 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
15819 monitor.
15820
15821 @item show hash
15822 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15823 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
15824
15825 @item set debug monitor
15826 @kindex set debug monitor
15827 @cindex display remote monitor communications
15828 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
15829 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15830
15831 @item show debug monitor
15832 @kindex show debug monitor
15833 Show the current status of displaying communications between
15834 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15835 @end table
15836
15837 @table @code
15838
15839 @kindex load @var{filename}
15840 @item load @var{filename}
15841 @anchor{load}
15842 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
15843 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
15844 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
15845 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
15846 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
15847 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15848
15849 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
15850 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
15851 target is @dots{}}''
15852
15853 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
15854 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
15855 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
15856 specifies a fixed address.
15857 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
15858
15859 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
15860 load programs into flash memory.
15861
15862 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
15863 @end table
15864
15865 @node Byte Order
15866 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
15867
15868 @cindex choosing target byte order
15869 @cindex target byte order
15870
15871 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
15872 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
15873 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
15874 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
15875 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
15876 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
15877
15878 @table @code
15879 @kindex set endian
15880 @item set endian big
15881 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
15882
15883 @item set endian little
15884 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
15885
15886 @item set endian auto
15887 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
15888 executable.
15889
15890 @item show endian
15891 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
15892
15893 @end table
15894
15895 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
15896 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
15897 target system.
15898
15899
15900 @node Remote Debugging
15901 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
15902 @cindex remote debugging
15903
15904 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
15905 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
15906 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
15907 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
15908 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
15909
15910 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
15911 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
15912 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
15913 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
15914 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
15915 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
15916
15917 Other remote targets may be available in your
15918 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
15919
15920 @menu
15921 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
15922 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
15923 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
15924 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
15925 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
15926 @end menu
15927
15928 @node Connecting
15929 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
15930
15931 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
15932 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
15933 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
15934 program as the first argument.
15935
15936 @cindex @code{target remote}
15937 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
15938 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
15939 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
15940 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
15941 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
15942 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
15943
15944 @table @code
15945
15946 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
15947 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
15948 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
15949 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
15950
15951 @smallexample
15952 target remote /dev/ttyb
15953 @end smallexample
15954
15955 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
15956 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
15957 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
15958 @code{target} command.
15959
15960 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
15961 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15962 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
15963 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
15964 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
15965 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
15966 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
15967 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
15968 target.
15969
15970 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
15971 @code{manyfarms}:
15972
15973 @smallexample
15974 target remote manyfarms:2828
15975 @end smallexample
15976
15977 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
15978 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
15979 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
15980 port 1234 on your local machine:
15981
15982 @smallexample
15983 target remote :1234
15984 @end smallexample
15985 @noindent
15986
15987 Note that the colon is still required here.
15988
15989 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15990 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
15991 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
15992 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
15993
15994 @smallexample
15995 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
15996 @end smallexample
15997
15998 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
15999 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
16000 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
16001 cause havoc with your debugging session.
16002
16003 @item target remote | @var{command}
16004 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
16005 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
16006 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
16007 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
16008 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
16009 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
16010 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
16011 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
16012
16013 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
16014 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
16015 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
16016
16017 @end table
16018
16019 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
16020 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
16021 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
16022 need to use @kbd{run}.
16023
16024 @cindex interrupting remote programs
16025 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
16026 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
16027 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
16028 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
16029 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
16030 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
16031
16032 @smallexample
16033 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
16034 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
16035 @end smallexample
16036
16037 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
16038 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
16039 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
16040 goes back to waiting.
16041
16042 @table @code
16043 @kindex detach (remote)
16044 @item detach
16045 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
16046 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
16047 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
16048 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
16049 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
16050
16051 @kindex disconnect
16052 @item disconnect
16053 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
16054 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
16055 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
16056 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
16057 another target.
16058
16059 @cindex send command to remote monitor
16060 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
16061 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
16062 @kindex monitor
16063 @item monitor @var{cmd}
16064 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
16065 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
16066 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
16067 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
16068 and implement.
16069 @end table
16070
16071 @node File Transfer
16072 @section Sending files to a remote system
16073 @cindex remote target, file transfer
16074 @cindex file transfer
16075 @cindex sending files to remote systems
16076
16077 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
16078 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
16079 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
16080 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
16081 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
16082 the only way to upload or download files.
16083
16084 Not all remote targets support these commands.
16085
16086 @table @code
16087 @kindex remote put
16088 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
16089 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
16090 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
16091
16092 @kindex remote get
16093 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
16094 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
16095 on the host system.
16096
16097 @kindex remote delete
16098 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
16099 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
16100
16101 @end table
16102
16103 @node Server
16104 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
16105
16106 @kindex gdbserver
16107 @cindex remote connection without stubs
16108 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
16109 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
16110 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
16111
16112 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
16113 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
16114 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
16115 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
16116 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
16117 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
16118 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
16119 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
16120 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
16121 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
16122 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
16123 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
16124 choice for debugging.
16125
16126 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
16127 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
16128 protocol.
16129
16130 @quotation
16131 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
16132 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
16133 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
16134 target system with the same privileges as the user running
16135 @code{gdbserver}.
16136 @end quotation
16137
16138 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
16139 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
16140
16141 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
16142 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
16143 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
16144 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
16145 system does all the symbol handling.
16146
16147 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
16148 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
16149 syntax is:
16150
16151 @smallexample
16152 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
16153 @end smallexample
16154
16155 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
16156 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
16157 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
16158 @file{/dev/com1}:
16159
16160 @smallexample
16161 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
16162 @end smallexample
16163
16164 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
16165 with it.
16166
16167 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
16168
16169 @smallexample
16170 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
16171 @end smallexample
16172
16173 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
16174 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
16175 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
16176 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
16177 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
16178 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
16179 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
16180 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
16181 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
16182 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
16183 @code{target remote} command.
16184
16185 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
16186
16187 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
16188 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
16189
16190 @smallexample
16191 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
16192 @end smallexample
16193
16194 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
16195 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
16196
16197 @pindex pidof
16198 @cindex attach to a program by name
16199 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
16200 @code{pidof} utility:
16201
16202 @smallexample
16203 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
16204 @end smallexample
16205
16206 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
16207 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
16208 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
16209
16210 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
16211 @cindex gdbserver, multiple processes
16212 @cindex multiple processes with gdbserver
16213
16214 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
16215 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
16216 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
16217 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
16218
16219 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
16220 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
16221 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
16222 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
16223 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
16224 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
16225 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
16226 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
16227 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
16228
16229 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
16230 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
16231 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
16232 the program you want to debug.
16233
16234 @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit in multi-process mode.
16235 You can terminate it by using @code{monitor exit}
16236 (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
16237
16238 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
16239
16240 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
16241 status information about the debugging process. The
16242 @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
16243 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
16244 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
16245
16246 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
16247 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
16248 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
16249 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
16250
16251 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
16252 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
16253 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
16254 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
16255
16256 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
16257 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
16258 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
16259 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
16260
16261 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
16262 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
16263 environment:
16264
16265 @smallexample
16266 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
16267 @end smallexample
16268
16269 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
16270
16271 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
16272
16273 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
16274 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
16275 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
16276 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
16277
16278 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
16279 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
16280 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
16281 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
16282 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
16283 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
16284 programs.
16285
16286 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
16287 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
16288 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
16289 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
16290 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
16291 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
16292 already on the target.
16293
16294 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
16295 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
16296 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
16297
16298 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
16299 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
16300 Here are the available commands.
16301
16302 @table @code
16303 @item monitor help
16304 List the available monitor commands.
16305
16306 @item monitor set debug 0
16307 @itemx monitor set debug 1
16308 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
16309
16310 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
16311 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
16312 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
16313 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
16314
16315 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
16316 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
16317 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16318 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
16319 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
16320 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to an empty list.
16321
16322 @item monitor exit
16323 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
16324 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
16325 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
16326 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
16327 of a multi-process mode debug session.
16328
16329 @end table
16330
16331 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16332 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16333
16334 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
16335 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
16336
16337 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
16338 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
16339 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
16340 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
16341 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
16342 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
16343 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
16344 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
16345 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
16346 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
16347 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
16348 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
16349
16350 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
16351
16352 @table @code
16353 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
16354
16355 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
16356 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
16357 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
16358
16359 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
16360
16361 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
16362 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
16363 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
16364 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
16365 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
16366 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
16367
16368 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
16369
16370 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
16371 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
16372 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
16373 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
16374 command for that. For example:
16375
16376 @smallexample
16377 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
16378 @end smallexample
16379
16380 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
16381 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
16382 @end table
16383
16384 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
16385 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
16386 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
16387 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
16388 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
16389 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
16390 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
16391 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
16392 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
16393 @code{gdbserver} like so:
16394
16395 @smallexample
16396 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
16397 @end smallexample
16398
16399 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
16400
16401 @smallexample
16402 $ gdb myprogram
16403 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
16404 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
16405 (@value{GDBP}) b main
16406 (@value{GDBP}) continue
16407 @end smallexample
16408
16409 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
16410 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
16411 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
16412 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
16413 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
16414 tracing.
16415
16416 @node Remote Configuration
16417 @section Remote Configuration
16418
16419 @kindex set remote
16420 @kindex show remote
16421 This section documents the configuration options available when
16422 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
16423 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
16424 system-call-allowed}.
16425
16426 @table @code
16427 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
16428 @cindex address size for remote targets
16429 @cindex bits in remote address
16430 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
16431 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
16432 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
16433 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
16434
16435 @item show remoteaddresssize
16436 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
16437
16438 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
16439 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
16440 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
16441 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
16442 remote targets.
16443
16444 @item show remotebaud
16445 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
16446
16447 @item set remotebreak
16448 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16449 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
16450 @anchor{set remotebreak}
16451 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
16452 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
16453 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
16454 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
16455 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
16456
16457 @item show remotebreak
16458 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
16459 interrupt the remote program.
16460
16461 @item set remoteflow on
16462 @itemx set remoteflow off
16463 @kindex set remoteflow
16464 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
16465 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
16466
16467 @item show remoteflow
16468 @kindex show remoteflow
16469 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
16470
16471 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
16472 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
16473 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
16474 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
16475 @code{ascii}.
16476
16477 @item show remotelogbase
16478 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
16479 protocol.
16480
16481 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
16482 @cindex record serial communications on file
16483 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
16484 default is not to record at all.
16485
16486 @item show remotelogfile.
16487 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
16488 serial communications.
16489
16490 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
16491 @cindex timeout for serial communications
16492 @cindex remote timeout
16493 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
16494 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
16495
16496 @item show remotetimeout
16497 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
16498 responses.
16499
16500 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
16501 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
16502 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
16503 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
16504 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
16505 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
16506 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
16507 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
16508
16509 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
16510 @itemx show remote exec-file
16511 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
16512 @cindex executable file, for remote target
16513 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
16514 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
16515 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
16516 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
16517
16518 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
16519 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16520 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
16521 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
16522 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
16523 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
16524 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
16525 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
16526 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
16527 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
16528
16529 @item show interrupt-sequence
16530 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
16531 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
16532 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
16533 also known as Magic SysRq g.
16534
16535 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
16536 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
16537 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
16538 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
16539 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
16540 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
16541
16542 @item show interrupt-on-connect
16543 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
16544 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
16545
16546 @kindex set tcp
16547 @kindex show tcp
16548 @item set tcp auto-retry on
16549 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
16550 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
16551 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
16552 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
16553 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
16554 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
16555 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
16556 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
16557
16558 @item set tcp auto-retry off
16559 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
16560
16561 @item show tcp auto-retry
16562 Show the current auto-retry setting.
16563
16564 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
16565 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
16566 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
16567 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
16568 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
16569 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
16570 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
16571 value.
16572
16573 @item show tcp connect-timeout
16574 Show the current connection timeout setting.
16575 @end table
16576
16577 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
16578 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
16579 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
16580 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
16581 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
16582 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
16583 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
16584 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
16585 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
16586
16587 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
16588 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
16589 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
16590 @value{GDBN} developers.
16591
16592 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
16593 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
16594 are:
16595
16596 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
16597 @item Command Name
16598 @tab Remote Packet
16599 @tab Related Features
16600
16601 @item @code{fetch-register}
16602 @tab @code{p}
16603 @tab @code{info registers}
16604
16605 @item @code{set-register}
16606 @tab @code{P}
16607 @tab @code{set}
16608
16609 @item @code{binary-download}
16610 @tab @code{X}
16611 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
16612
16613 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
16614 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
16615 @tab @code{info auxv}
16616
16617 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
16618 @tab @code{qSymbol}
16619 @tab Detecting multiple threads
16620
16621 @item @code{attach}
16622 @tab @code{vAttach}
16623 @tab @code{attach}
16624
16625 @item @code{verbose-resume}
16626 @tab @code{vCont}
16627 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
16628
16629 @item @code{run}
16630 @tab @code{vRun}
16631 @tab @code{run}
16632
16633 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
16634 @tab @code{Z0}
16635 @tab @code{break}
16636
16637 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
16638 @tab @code{Z1}
16639 @tab @code{hbreak}
16640
16641 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
16642 @tab @code{Z2}
16643 @tab @code{watch}
16644
16645 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
16646 @tab @code{Z3}
16647 @tab @code{rwatch}
16648
16649 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
16650 @tab @code{Z4}
16651 @tab @code{awatch}
16652
16653 @item @code{target-features}
16654 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
16655 @tab @code{set architecture}
16656
16657 @item @code{library-info}
16658 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
16659 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
16660
16661 @item @code{memory-map}
16662 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
16663 @tab @code{info mem}
16664
16665 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
16666 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
16667 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
16668
16669 @item @code{read-spu-object}
16670 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
16671 @tab @code{info spu}
16672
16673 @item @code{write-spu-object}
16674 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
16675 @tab @code{info spu}
16676
16677 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
16678 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
16679 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
16680
16681 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
16682 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
16683 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
16684
16685 @item @code{threads}
16686 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
16687 @tab @code{info threads}
16688
16689 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
16690 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
16691 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
16692
16693 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
16694 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
16695 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
16696
16697 @item @code{search-memory}
16698 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
16699 @tab @code{find}
16700
16701 @item @code{supported-packets}
16702 @tab @code{qSupported}
16703 @tab Remote communications parameters
16704
16705 @item @code{pass-signals}
16706 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
16707 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
16708
16709 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
16710 @tab @code{vFile:close}
16711 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16712
16713 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
16714 @tab @code{vFile:open}
16715 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16716
16717 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
16718 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
16719 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16720
16721 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
16722 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
16723 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16724
16725 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
16726 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
16727 @tab @code{remote delete}
16728
16729 @item @code{noack-packet}
16730 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
16731 @tab Packet acknowledgment
16732
16733 @item @code{osdata}
16734 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
16735 @tab @code{info os}
16736
16737 @item @code{query-attached}
16738 @tab @code{qAttached}
16739 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
16740 @end multitable
16741
16742 @node Remote Stub
16743 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
16744
16745 @cindex debugging stub, example
16746 @cindex remote stub, example
16747 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
16748 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
16749 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
16750 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
16751 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
16752 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
16753 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
16754 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
16755
16756 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
16757 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
16758 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
16759 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
16760 program, you need:
16761
16762 @enumerate
16763 @item
16764 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
16765 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
16766 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
16767
16768 @item
16769 A C subroutine library to support your program's
16770 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
16771
16772 @item
16773 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
16774 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
16775 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
16776 documentation.
16777 @end enumerate
16778
16779 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
16780 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
16781 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
16782
16783 @table @emph
16784 @item On the host,
16785 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
16786 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
16787 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
16788
16789 @item On the target,
16790 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
16791 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
16792 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
16793
16794 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
16795 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
16796 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
16797 @end table
16798
16799 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
16800 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
16801 @sc{sparc} boards.
16802
16803 @cindex remote serial stub list
16804 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
16805
16806 @table @code
16807
16808 @item i386-stub.c
16809 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
16810 @cindex Intel
16811 @cindex i386
16812 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
16813
16814 @item m68k-stub.c
16815 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
16816 @cindex Motorola 680x0
16817 @cindex m680x0
16818 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
16819
16820 @item sh-stub.c
16821 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
16822 @cindex Renesas
16823 @cindex SH
16824 For Renesas SH architectures.
16825
16826 @item sparc-stub.c
16827 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
16828 @cindex Sparc
16829 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
16830
16831 @item sparcl-stub.c
16832 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
16833 @cindex Fujitsu
16834 @cindex SparcLite
16835 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
16836
16837 @end table
16838
16839 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
16840 recently added stubs.
16841
16842 @menu
16843 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
16844 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
16845 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
16846 @end menu
16847
16848 @node Stub Contents
16849 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
16850
16851 @cindex remote serial stub
16852 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
16853 subroutines:
16854
16855 @table @code
16856 @item set_debug_traps
16857 @findex set_debug_traps
16858 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
16859 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
16860 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
16861 beginning of your program.
16862
16863 @item handle_exception
16864 @findex handle_exception
16865 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
16866 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
16867 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
16868 run when a trap is triggered.
16869
16870 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
16871 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
16872 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
16873 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
16874 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
16875 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
16876 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
16877 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
16878 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
16879 machine.
16880
16881 @item breakpoint
16882 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
16883 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
16884 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
16885 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
16886 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
16887 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
16888 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
16889 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
16890 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
16891 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
16892 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
16893
16894 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
16895 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
16896 start of your debugging session.
16897 @end table
16898
16899 @node Bootstrapping
16900 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
16901
16902 @cindex remote stub, support routines
16903 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
16904 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
16905 debugging target machine.
16906
16907 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
16908 serial port.
16909
16910 @table @code
16911 @item int getDebugChar()
16912 @findex getDebugChar
16913 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
16914 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
16915 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16916
16917 @item void putDebugChar(int)
16918 @findex putDebugChar
16919 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
16920 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
16921 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16922 @end table
16923
16924 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
16925 @cindex interrupting remote targets
16926 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
16927 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
16928 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
16929 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
16930 remote system to stop.
16931
16932 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
16933 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
16934 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
16935 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
16936
16937 Other routines you need to supply are:
16938
16939 @table @code
16940 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
16941 @findex exceptionHandler
16942 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
16943 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
16944 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
16945 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
16946 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
16947 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
16948 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
16949 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
16950 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
16951 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
16952 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
16953 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
16954 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
16955
16956 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
16957 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
16958 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
16959 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
16960 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
16961
16962 @item void flush_i_cache()
16963 @findex flush_i_cache
16964 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
16965 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
16966 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
16967
16968 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
16969 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
16970 @end table
16971
16972 @noindent
16973 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
16974
16975 @table @code
16976 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
16977 @findex memset
16978 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
16979 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
16980 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
16981 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
16982 @end table
16983
16984 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
16985 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
16986 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
16987 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
16988
16989
16990 @node Debug Session
16991 @subsection Putting it All Together
16992
16993 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
16994 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
16995 steps.
16996
16997 @enumerate
16998 @item
16999 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
17000 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
17001 @display
17002 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
17003 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
17004 @end display
17005
17006 @item
17007 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
17008
17009 @smallexample
17010 set_debug_traps();
17011 breakpoint();
17012 @end smallexample
17013
17014 @item
17015 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
17016 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
17017
17018 @smallexample
17019 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
17020 @end smallexample
17021
17022 @noindent
17023 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
17024 function in your program, that function is called when
17025 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
17026 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
17027 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
17028
17029 @item
17030 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
17031 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
17032
17033 @item
17034 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
17035 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
17036
17037 @item
17038 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
17039 @c document that. FIXME.
17040 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
17041 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
17042
17043 @item
17044 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
17045 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17046
17047 @end enumerate
17048
17049 @node Configurations
17050 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
17051
17052 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
17053 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
17054 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
17055
17056 There are three major categories of configurations: native
17057 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
17058 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
17059 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
17060 are quite different from each other.
17061
17062 @menu
17063 * Native::
17064 * Embedded OS::
17065 * Embedded Processors::
17066 * Architectures::
17067 @end menu
17068
17069 @node Native
17070 @section Native
17071
17072 This section describes details specific to particular native
17073 configurations.
17074
17075 @menu
17076 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
17077 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
17078 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
17079 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
17080 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
17081 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
17082 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
17083 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
17084 @end menu
17085
17086 @node HP-UX
17087 @subsection HP-UX
17088
17089 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
17090 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
17091 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
17092
17093
17094 @node BSD libkvm Interface
17095 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
17096
17097 @cindex libkvm
17098 @cindex kernel memory image
17099 @cindex kernel crash dump
17100
17101 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
17102 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
17103 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
17104 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
17105 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
17106 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
17107 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
17108 @code{kvm} target:
17109
17110 @smallexample
17111 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
17112 @end smallexample
17113
17114 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
17115 argument:
17116
17117 @smallexample
17118 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
17119 @end smallexample
17120
17121 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
17122 available:
17123
17124 @table @code
17125 @kindex kvm
17126 @item kvm pcb
17127 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
17128
17129 @item kvm proc
17130 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
17131 modern FreeBSD systems.
17132 @end table
17133
17134 @node SVR4 Process Information
17135 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
17136 @cindex /proc
17137 @cindex examine process image
17138 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
17139
17140 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
17141 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
17142 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
17143 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
17144 proc} is available to report information about the process running
17145 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
17146 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
17147 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
17148 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
17149
17150 @table @code
17151 @kindex info proc
17152 @cindex process ID
17153 @item info proc
17154 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
17155 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
17156 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
17157 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
17158 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
17159 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
17160 executable file's absolute file name.
17161
17162 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
17163 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
17164 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
17165 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
17166 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
17167 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
17168
17169 @item info proc mappings
17170 @cindex memory address space mappings
17171 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
17172 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
17173 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
17174 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
17175 memory access rights to that range.
17176
17177 @item info proc stat
17178 @itemx info proc status
17179 @cindex process detailed status information
17180 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
17181 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
17182 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
17183 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
17184 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
17185 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
17186 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
17187
17188 @item info proc all
17189 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
17190 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
17191
17192 @ignore
17193 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
17194 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
17195 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
17196 @kindex info proc times
17197 @item info proc times
17198 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
17199 its children.
17200
17201 @kindex info proc id
17202 @item info proc id
17203 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
17204 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
17205 @end ignore
17206
17207 @item set procfs-trace
17208 @kindex set procfs-trace
17209 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
17210 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
17211
17212 @item show procfs-trace
17213 @kindex show procfs-trace
17214 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
17215
17216 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
17217 @kindex set procfs-file
17218 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
17219 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
17220 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
17221 standard output.
17222
17223 @item show procfs-file
17224 @kindex show procfs-file
17225 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
17226
17227 @item proc-trace-entry
17228 @itemx proc-trace-exit
17229 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
17230 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
17231 @kindex proc-trace-entry
17232 @kindex proc-trace-exit
17233 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
17234 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
17235 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
17236 from the @code{syscall} interface.
17237
17238 @item info pidlist
17239 @kindex info pidlist
17240 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
17241 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
17242 processes and all the threads within each process.
17243
17244 @item info meminfo
17245 @kindex info meminfo
17246 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
17247 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
17248 @end table
17249
17250 @node DJGPP Native
17251 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
17252 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
17253 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
17254 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
17255
17256 @cindex DPMI
17257 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
17258 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
17259 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
17260 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
17261
17262 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
17263 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
17264 subsection describes those commands.
17265
17266 @table @code
17267 @kindex info dos
17268 @item info dos
17269 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
17270 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17271
17272 @kindex sysinfo
17273 @cindex MS-DOS system info
17274 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
17275 @item info dos sysinfo
17276 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
17277 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
17278 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
17279
17280 @cindex GDT
17281 @cindex LDT
17282 @cindex IDT
17283 @cindex segment descriptor tables
17284 @cindex descriptor tables display
17285 @item info dos gdt
17286 @itemx info dos ldt
17287 @itemx info dos idt
17288 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
17289 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
17290 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
17291 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
17292 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
17293 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
17294 rights.
17295
17296 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
17297 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
17298 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
17299 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
17300 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
17301
17302 @cindex garbled pointers
17303 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
17304 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
17305 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
17306 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
17307 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
17308 debugged program's data segment:
17309
17310 @smallexample
17311 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
17312 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
17313 @end smallexample
17314
17315 @noindent
17316 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
17317 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
17318
17319 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
17320 @item info dos pde
17321 @itemx info dos pte
17322 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
17323 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
17324 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
17325 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
17326 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
17327 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
17328 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
17329 that is currently in use.
17330
17331 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
17332 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
17333 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
17334 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
17335 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
17336 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
17337 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
17338
17339 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
17340 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
17341 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
17342 controller.
17343
17344 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
17345
17346 @cindex physical address from linear address
17347 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
17348 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
17349 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
17350 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
17351 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
17352 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
17353 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
17354
17355 @smallexample
17356 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
17357 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
17358 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
17359 @end smallexample
17360
17361 @noindent
17362 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
17363 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
17364 attributes of that page.
17365
17366 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
17367 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
17368 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
17369 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
17370 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
17371 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
17372
17373 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
17374 transfer buffer:
17375
17376 @smallexample
17377 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
17378 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
17379 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
17380 @end smallexample
17381
17382 @noindent
17383 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
17384 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
17385 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
17386 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
17387 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
17388
17389 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
17390 @end table
17391
17392 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
17393 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
17394 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
17395 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
17396
17397 @table @code
17398 @kindex set com1base
17399 @kindex set com1irq
17400 @kindex set com2base
17401 @kindex set com2irq
17402 @kindex set com3base
17403 @kindex set com3irq
17404 @kindex set com4base
17405 @kindex set com4irq
17406 @item set com1base @var{addr}
17407 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
17408 port.
17409
17410 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
17411 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
17412 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
17413
17414 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
17415 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
17416 other 3 COM ports.
17417
17418 @kindex show com1base
17419 @kindex show com1irq
17420 @kindex show com2base
17421 @kindex show com2irq
17422 @kindex show com3base
17423 @kindex show com3irq
17424 @kindex show com4base
17425 @kindex show com4irq
17426 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
17427 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
17428 lines used by the COM ports.
17429
17430 @item info serial
17431 @kindex info serial
17432 @cindex DOS serial port status
17433 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
17434 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
17435 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
17436 counts of various errors encountered so far.
17437 @end table
17438
17439
17440 @node Cygwin Native
17441 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
17442 @cindex MS Windows debugging
17443 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
17444 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
17445
17446 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
17447 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
17448
17449 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
17450 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
17451 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
17452 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
17453 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
17454 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
17455 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
17456 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
17457
17458 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
17459 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
17460 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
17461
17462 @table @code
17463 @kindex info w32
17464 @item info w32
17465 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
17466 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17467
17468 @item info w32 selector
17469 This command displays information returned by
17470 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
17471 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
17472 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
17473 Without argument, this command displays information
17474 about the six segment registers.
17475
17476 @item info w32 thread-information-block
17477 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
17478 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
17479 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
17480
17481 @kindex info dll
17482 @item info dll
17483 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
17484
17485 @kindex dll-symbols
17486 @item dll-symbols
17487 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
17488 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
17489
17490 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
17491 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
17492 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
17493 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
17494 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
17495 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
17496 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
17497 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
17498 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
17499 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
17500 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
17501
17502 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
17503 @item show cygwin-exceptions
17504 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
17505 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
17506
17507 @kindex set new-console
17508 @item set new-console @var{mode}
17509 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
17510 be started in a new console on next start.
17511 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
17512 be started in the same console as the debugger.
17513
17514 @kindex show new-console
17515 @item show new-console
17516 Displays whether a new console is used
17517 when the debuggee is started.
17518
17519 @kindex set new-group
17520 @item set new-group @var{mode}
17521 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
17522 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
17523 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
17524 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
17525
17526 @kindex show new-group
17527 @item show new-group
17528 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
17529
17530 @kindex set debugevents
17531 @item set debugevents
17532 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
17533 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
17534 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
17535 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
17536 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
17537
17538 @kindex set debugexec
17539 @item set debugexec
17540 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
17541 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
17542
17543 @kindex set debugexceptions
17544 @item set debugexceptions
17545 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
17546 debuggee seen by the debugger.
17547
17548 @kindex set debugmemory
17549 @item set debugmemory
17550 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
17551 and writes by the debugger.
17552
17553 @kindex set shell
17554 @item set shell
17555 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
17556 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
17557
17558 @kindex show shell
17559 @item show shell
17560 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
17561
17562 @end table
17563
17564 @menu
17565 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
17566 @end menu
17567
17568 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
17569 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
17570 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
17571 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
17572
17573 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
17574 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
17575 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
17576 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
17577 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
17578 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
17579 ``minimal symbols''.
17580
17581 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
17582 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
17583 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
17584 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
17585 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
17586 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
17587 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
17588 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
17589 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
17590 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
17591
17592 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
17593
17594 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
17595 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
17596 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
17597 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
17598 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
17599 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
17600 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
17601 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
17602 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
17603
17604 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
17605 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
17606 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
17607 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
17608 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
17609 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
17610
17611 @smallexample
17612 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
17613 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
17614
17615 Non-debugging symbols:
17616 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
17617 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
17618 @end smallexample
17619
17620 @smallexample
17621 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
17622 All functions matching regular expression "!":
17623
17624 Non-debugging symbols:
17625 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
17626 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
17627 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
17628 [etc...]
17629 @end smallexample
17630
17631 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
17632
17633 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
17634 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
17635 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
17636 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
17637 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
17638 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
17639 a function within a DLL without a running program.
17640
17641 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
17642 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
17643 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
17644 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
17645 problem:
17646
17647 @smallexample
17648 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
17649 $1 = 268572168
17650 @end smallexample
17651
17652 @smallexample
17653 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
17654 0x10021610: "\230y\""
17655 @end smallexample
17656
17657 And two possible solutions:
17658
17659 @smallexample
17660 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
17661 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17662 @end smallexample
17663
17664 @smallexample
17665 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
17666 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
17667 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
17668 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
17669 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
17670 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17671 @end smallexample
17672
17673 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
17674 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
17675 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
17676 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
17677 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
17678
17679 @smallexample
17680 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
17681 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
17682 @end smallexample
17683
17684 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
17685 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
17686 safe.
17687
17688 @node Hurd Native
17689 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
17690 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
17691
17692 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
17693 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
17694
17695 @table @code
17696 @item set signals
17697 @itemx set sigs
17698 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
17699 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17700 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
17701 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
17702 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
17703 @code{signals}.
17704
17705 @item show signals
17706 @itemx show sigs
17707 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
17708 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17709 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
17710
17711 @item set signal-thread
17712 @itemx set sigthread
17713 @kindex set signal-thread
17714 @kindex set sigthread
17715 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
17716 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
17717 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
17718 signal-thread}.
17719
17720 @item show signal-thread
17721 @itemx show sigthread
17722 @kindex show signal-thread
17723 @kindex show sigthread
17724 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
17725 delivered a signal.
17726
17727 @item set stopped
17728 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17729 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
17730 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
17731 continued by delivering a signal to it.
17732
17733 @item show stopped
17734 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17735 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
17736 stopped.
17737
17738 @item set exceptions
17739 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17740 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
17741 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
17742 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
17743 trapping on.
17744
17745 @item show exceptions
17746 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17747 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
17748
17749 @item set task pause
17750 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
17751 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17752 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17753 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
17754 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
17755 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
17756 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
17757 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
17758 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
17759
17760 @item show task pause
17761 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
17762 Show the current state of task suspension.
17763
17764 @item set task detach-suspend-count
17765 @cindex task suspend count
17766 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17767 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
17768 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
17769
17770 @item show task detach-suspend-count
17771 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
17772
17773 @item set task exception-port
17774 @itemx set task excp
17775 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17776 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
17777 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
17778 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
17779
17780 @item set noninvasive
17781 @cindex noninvasive task options
17782 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
17783 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
17784 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
17785 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
17786
17787 @item info send-rights
17788 @itemx info receive-rights
17789 @itemx info port-rights
17790 @itemx info port-sets
17791 @itemx info dead-names
17792 @itemx info ports
17793 @itemx info psets
17794 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17795 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17796 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17797 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17798 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17799 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
17800 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
17801 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
17802 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
17803
17804 @item set thread pause
17805 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
17806 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17807 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17808 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
17809 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
17810 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
17811 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
17812 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
17813 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
17814 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
17815 only the current thread.
17816
17817 @item show thread pause
17818 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
17819 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
17820
17821 @item set thread run
17822 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17823
17824 @item show thread run
17825 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17826
17827 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
17828 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17829 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17830 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
17831 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
17832 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
17833 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
17834
17835 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
17836 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
17837 detaching.
17838
17839 @item set thread exception-port
17840 @itemx set thread excp
17841 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
17842 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
17843 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
17844
17845 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
17846 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
17847 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
17848 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
17849
17850 @item set thread default
17851 @itemx show thread default
17852 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17853 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
17854 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
17855 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
17856 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
17857 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
17858 the non-default commands.
17859 @end table
17860
17861
17862 @node Neutrino
17863 @subsection QNX Neutrino
17864 @cindex QNX Neutrino
17865
17866 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
17867 Neutrino target:
17868
17869 @table @code
17870 @item set debug nto-debug
17871 @kindex set debug nto-debug
17872 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
17873 Neutrino support.
17874
17875 @item show debug nto-debug
17876 @kindex show debug nto-debug
17877 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
17878 @end table
17879
17880 @node Darwin
17881 @subsection Darwin
17882 @cindex Darwin
17883
17884 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
17885
17886 @table @code
17887 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
17888 @kindex set debug darwin
17889 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
17890 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
17891
17892 @item show debug darwin
17893 @kindex show debug darwin
17894 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
17895
17896 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
17897 @kindex set debug mach-o
17898 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
17899 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
17900 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
17901 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
17902 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
17903 usage.
17904
17905 @item show debug mach-o
17906 @kindex show debug mach-o
17907 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
17908
17909 @item set mach-exceptions on
17910 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
17911 @kindex set mach-exceptions
17912 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
17913 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
17914 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
17915 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
17916
17917 @item show mach-exceptions
17918 @kindex show mach-exceptions
17919 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
17920 @end table
17921
17922
17923 @node Embedded OS
17924 @section Embedded Operating Systems
17925
17926 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
17927 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
17928 architectures.
17929
17930 @menu
17931 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17932 @end menu
17933
17934 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
17935 various real-time operating systems.
17936
17937 @node VxWorks
17938 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17939
17940 @cindex VxWorks
17941
17942 @table @code
17943
17944 @kindex target vxworks
17945 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
17946 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
17947 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
17948
17949 @end table
17950
17951 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
17952 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
17953
17954 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
17955 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
17956 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
17957 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
17958 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
17959 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
17960 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
17961
17962 @table @code
17963 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
17964 @kindex vxworks-timeout
17965 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
17966 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
17967 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
17968 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
17969 of a thin network line.
17970 @end table
17971
17972 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
17973 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
17974 procedures.
17975
17976 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
17977 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
17978 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
17979 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
17980 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
17981 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
17982 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
17983 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
17984 manual.
17985 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
17986
17987 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
17988 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
17989 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
17990 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
17991
17992 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
17993
17994 @smallexample
17995 (vxgdb)
17996 @end smallexample
17997
17998 @menu
17999 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
18000 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
18001 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
18002 @end menu
18003
18004 @node VxWorks Connection
18005 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
18006
18007 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
18008 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
18009
18010 @smallexample
18011 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
18012 @end smallexample
18013
18014 @need 750
18015 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18016
18017 @smallexample
18018 Attaching remote machine across net...
18019 Connected to tt.
18020 @end smallexample
18021
18022 @need 1000
18023 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
18024 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
18025 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
18026 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
18027 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
18028
18029 @smallexample
18030 prog.o: No such file or directory.
18031 @end smallexample
18032
18033 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
18034 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
18035 command again.
18036
18037 @node VxWorks Download
18038 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
18039
18040 @cindex download to VxWorks
18041 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
18042 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
18043 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
18044 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
18045 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
18046 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
18047 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
18048 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
18049 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
18050 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
18051 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
18052 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
18053 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
18054 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
18055 program, type this on VxWorks:
18056
18057 @smallexample
18058 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
18059 @end smallexample
18060
18061 @noindent
18062 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18063
18064 @smallexample
18065 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
18066 (vxgdb) load prog.o
18067 @end smallexample
18068
18069 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
18070
18071 @smallexample
18072 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
18073 @end smallexample
18074
18075 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
18076 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
18077 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
18078 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
18079 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
18080 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
18081 table.)
18082
18083 @node VxWorks Attach
18084 @subsubsection Running Tasks
18085
18086 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
18087 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
18088 follows:
18089
18090 @smallexample
18091 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
18092 @end smallexample
18093
18094 @noindent
18095 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
18096 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
18097 the time of attachment.
18098
18099 @node Embedded Processors
18100 @section Embedded Processors
18101
18102 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
18103 configurations.
18104
18105 @cindex send command to simulator
18106 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
18107 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
18108
18109 @table @code
18110 @item sim @var{command}
18111 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
18112 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
18113 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
18114 acceptable commands.
18115 @end table
18116
18117
18118 @menu
18119 * ARM:: ARM RDI
18120 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
18121 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
18122 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
18123 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
18124 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
18125 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
18126 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
18127 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
18128 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
18129 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
18130 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
18131 * CRIS:: CRIS
18132 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
18133 @end menu
18134
18135 @node ARM
18136 @subsection ARM
18137 @cindex ARM RDI
18138
18139 @table @code
18140 @kindex target rdi
18141 @item target rdi @var{dev}
18142 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
18143 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
18144 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
18145
18146 @kindex target rdp
18147 @item target rdp @var{dev}
18148 ARM Demon monitor.
18149
18150 @end table
18151
18152 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
18153
18154 @table @code
18155 @item set arm disassembler
18156 @kindex set arm
18157 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
18158 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
18159
18160 @item show arm disassembler
18161 @kindex show arm
18162 Show the current disassembly style.
18163
18164 @item set arm apcs32
18165 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
18166 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
18167
18168 @item show arm apcs32
18169 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
18170
18171 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
18172 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
18173 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
18174
18175 @table @code
18176 @item auto
18177 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
18178 @item softfpa
18179 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
18180 processors.
18181 @item fpa
18182 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
18183 @item softvfp
18184 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
18185 @item vfp
18186 VFP co-processor.
18187 @end table
18188
18189 @item show arm fpu
18190 Show the current type of the FPU.
18191
18192 @item set arm abi
18193 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
18194
18195 @item show arm abi
18196 Show the currently used ABI.
18197
18198 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18199 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
18200 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
18201 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
18202 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
18203 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
18204 register).
18205
18206 @item show arm fallback-mode
18207 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
18208
18209 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18210 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
18211 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
18212 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
18213 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
18214
18215 @item show arm force-mode
18216 Show the current forced instruction mode.
18217
18218 @item set debug arm
18219 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
18220 target support subsystem.
18221
18222 @item show debug arm
18223 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
18224 @end table
18225
18226 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
18227 using the RDI interface:
18228
18229 @table @code
18230 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18231 @kindex rdilogfile
18232 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
18233 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
18234 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
18235 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
18236 @file{rdi.log}.
18237
18238 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
18239 @kindex rdilogenable
18240 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
18241 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
18242 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
18243 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
18244 are logged to a file.
18245
18246 @item set rdiromatzero
18247 @kindex set rdiromatzero
18248 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
18249 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
18250 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
18251 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
18252 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
18253
18254 @item show rdiromatzero
18255 @kindex show rdiromatzero
18256 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
18257
18258 @item set rdiheartbeat
18259 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
18260 @cindex RDI heartbeat
18261 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
18262 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
18263 well as the Angel monitor.
18264
18265 @item show rdiheartbeat
18266 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
18267 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
18268 @end table
18269
18270 @table @code
18271 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
18272 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
18273
18274 @table @code
18275 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
18276 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
18277 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
18278 The default value is @code{all}.
18279
18280 @table @code
18281 @item none
18282 @item demon
18283 @item angel
18284 @item redboot
18285 @item all
18286 @end table
18287 @end table
18288 @end table
18289
18290 @node M32R/D
18291 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
18292
18293 @table @code
18294 @kindex target m32r
18295 @item target m32r @var{dev}
18296 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
18297
18298 @kindex target m32rsdi
18299 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
18300 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
18301 @end table
18302
18303 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
18304
18305 @table @code
18306 @item set download-path @var{path}
18307 @kindex set download-path
18308 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
18309 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18310
18311 @item show download-path
18312 @kindex show download-path
18313 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18314
18315 @item set board-address @var{addr}
18316 @kindex set board-address
18317 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
18318 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
18319
18320 @item show board-address
18321 @kindex show board-address
18322 Show the current IP address of the target board.
18323
18324 @item set server-address @var{addr}
18325 @kindex set server-address
18326 @cindex download server address (M32R)
18327 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
18328 host machine.
18329
18330 @item show server-address
18331 @kindex show server-address
18332 Display the IP address of the download server.
18333
18334 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18335 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
18336 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
18337 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
18338 executable file is uploaded.
18339
18340 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18341 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
18342 Test the @code{upload} command.
18343 @end table
18344
18345 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
18346
18347 @table @code
18348 @item sdireset
18349 @kindex sdireset
18350 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
18351 This command resets the SDI connection.
18352
18353 @item sdistatus
18354 @kindex sdistatus
18355 This command shows the SDI connection status.
18356
18357 @item debug_chaos
18358 @kindex debug_chaos
18359 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
18360 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
18361
18362 @item use_debug_dma
18363 @kindex use_debug_dma
18364 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
18365
18366 @item use_mon_code
18367 @kindex use_mon_code
18368 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
18369
18370 @item use_ib_break
18371 @kindex use_ib_break
18372 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
18373
18374 @item use_dbt_break
18375 @kindex use_dbt_break
18376 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
18377 @end table
18378
18379 @node M68K
18380 @subsection M68k
18381
18382 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
18383 target command for the following ROM monitor.
18384
18385 @table @code
18386
18387 @kindex target dbug
18388 @item target dbug @var{dev}
18389 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
18390
18391 @end table
18392
18393 @node MicroBlaze
18394 @subsection MicroBlaze
18395 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
18396 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
18397
18398 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
18399 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
18400 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
18401 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
18402 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
18403 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
18404 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
18405 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
18406 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
18407 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
18408 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
18409
18410 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
18411
18412 @table @code
18413 @item target remote :1234
18414 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
18415 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
18416
18417 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
18418 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
18419 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
18420
18421 @item load
18422 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
18423
18424 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
18425 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
18426
18427 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
18428 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
18429 @end table
18430
18431 @node MIPS Embedded
18432 @subsection MIPS Embedded
18433
18434 @cindex MIPS boards
18435 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
18436 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
18437 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
18438
18439 @need 1000
18440 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
18441
18442 @table @code
18443 @item target mips @var{port}
18444 @kindex target mips @var{port}
18445 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
18446 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
18447 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
18448 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
18449 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
18450 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
18451
18452 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
18453 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
18454 debugger:
18455
18456 @smallexample
18457 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
18458 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
18459 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
18460 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
18461 (@value{GDBP}) run
18462 @end smallexample
18463
18464 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
18465 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
18466 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
18467 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
18468 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
18469
18470 @item target pmon @var{port}
18471 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
18472 PMON ROM monitor.
18473
18474 @item target ddb @var{port}
18475 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
18476 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
18477
18478 @item target lsi @var{port}
18479 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
18480 LSI variant of PMON.
18481
18482 @kindex target r3900
18483 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
18484 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
18485
18486 @kindex target array
18487 @item target array @var{dev}
18488 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
18489
18490 @end table
18491
18492
18493 @noindent
18494 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
18495
18496 @table @code
18497 @item set mipsfpu double
18498 @itemx set mipsfpu single
18499 @itemx set mipsfpu none
18500 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
18501 @itemx show mipsfpu
18502 @kindex set mipsfpu
18503 @kindex show mipsfpu
18504 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
18505 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
18506 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
18507 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
18508 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
18509 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
18510 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
18511 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
18512 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
18513 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
18514 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
18515 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
18516 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
18517
18518 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
18519 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
18520 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
18521
18522 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
18523 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
18524
18525 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
18526 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
18527 @itemx show timeout
18528 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
18529 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
18530 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
18531 @kindex set timeout
18532 @kindex show timeout
18533 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
18534 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
18535 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
18536 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
18537 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
18538 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
18539 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
18540 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
18541 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
18542 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
18543
18544 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
18545 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
18546 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
18547 to run before stopping.
18548
18549 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
18550 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18551 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
18552 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
18553 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
18554 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
18555
18556 @item show syn-garbage-limit
18557 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18558 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
18559 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
18560
18561 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
18562 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18563 @cindex remote monitor prompt
18564 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
18565 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
18566 @table @asis
18567 @item pmon target
18568 @samp{PMON}
18569 @item ddb target
18570 @samp{NEC010}
18571 @item lsi target
18572 @samp{PMON>}
18573 @end table
18574
18575 @item show monitor-prompt
18576 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18577 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
18578 remote monitor.
18579
18580 @item set monitor-warnings
18581 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18582 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
18583 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
18584 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
18585 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
18586
18587 @item show monitor-warnings
18588 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18589 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
18590
18591 @item pmon @var{command}
18592 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
18593 @cindex send PMON command
18594 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
18595 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
18596 @end table
18597
18598 @node OpenRISC 1000
18599 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
18600 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
18601
18602 @cindex or1k boards
18603 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
18604 about platform and commands.
18605
18606 @table @code
18607
18608 @kindex target jtag
18609 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
18610
18611 Connects to remote JTAG server.
18612 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
18613 connected via parallel port to the board.
18614
18615 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
18616
18617 @kindex or1ksim
18618 @item or1ksim @var{command}
18619 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
18620 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
18621
18622 @kindex info or1k spr
18623 @item info or1k spr
18624 Displays spr groups.
18625
18626 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
18627 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
18628 Displays register names in selected group.
18629
18630 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
18631 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
18632 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
18633 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
18634 Shows information about specified spr register.
18635
18636 @kindex spr
18637 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
18638 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
18639 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
18640 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
18641 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
18642 @end table
18643
18644 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
18645 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
18646 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
18647 triggers can be set using:
18648 @table @code
18649 @item $LEA/$LDATA
18650 Load effective address/data
18651 @item $SEA/$SDATA
18652 Store effective address/data
18653 @item $AEA/$ADATA
18654 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
18655 @item $FETCH
18656 Fetch data
18657 @end table
18658
18659 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
18660 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
18661
18662 @code{htrace} commands:
18663 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
18664 @table @code
18665 @kindex hwatch
18666 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
18667 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
18668 or Data. For example:
18669
18670 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18671
18672 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18673
18674 @kindex htrace
18675 @item htrace info
18676 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
18677
18678 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
18679 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
18680
18681 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
18682 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
18683
18684 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
18685 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
18686
18687 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
18688 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
18689 triggered.
18690
18691 @item htrace enable
18692 @itemx htrace disable
18693 Enables/disables the HW trace.
18694
18695 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
18696 Clears currently recorded trace data.
18697
18698 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
18699 will be written there.
18700
18701 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
18702 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
18703
18704 @item htrace mode continuous
18705 Set continuous trace mode.
18706
18707 @item htrace mode suspend
18708 Set suspend trace mode.
18709
18710 @end table
18711
18712 @node PowerPC Embedded
18713 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
18714
18715 @cindex DVC register
18716 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
18717 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
18718
18719 @smallexample
18720 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
18721 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
18722 @end smallexample
18723
18724 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
18725 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
18726 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
18727 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
18728 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
18729 or newer.
18730
18731 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
18732 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
18733 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
18734 watching variables of scalar types.
18735
18736 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
18737 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
18738
18739 @smallexample
18740 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
18741 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
18742 @end smallexample
18743
18744 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
18745
18746 @table @code
18747 @kindex set powerpc
18748 @item set powerpc soft-float
18749 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
18750 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
18751 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
18752 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18753
18754 @item set powerpc vector-abi
18755 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
18756 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
18757 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
18758 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
18759 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
18760 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
18761 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18762
18763 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
18764 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
18765 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
18766 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
18767 address of its first byte.
18768
18769 @kindex target dink32
18770 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
18771 DINK32 ROM monitor.
18772
18773 @kindex target ppcbug
18774 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
18775 @kindex target ppcbug1
18776 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
18777 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
18778
18779 @kindex target sds
18780 @item target sds @var{dev}
18781 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
18782 @end table
18783
18784 @cindex SDS protocol
18785 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
18786 by @value{GDBN}:
18787
18788 @table @code
18789 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
18790 @kindex set sdstimeout
18791 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
18792 default is 2 seconds.
18793
18794 @item show sdstimeout
18795 @kindex show sdstimeout
18796 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
18797
18798 @item sds @var{command}
18799 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
18800 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
18801 @end table
18802
18803
18804 @node PA
18805 @subsection HP PA Embedded
18806
18807 @table @code
18808
18809 @kindex target op50n
18810 @item target op50n @var{dev}
18811 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
18812
18813 @kindex target w89k
18814 @item target w89k @var{dev}
18815 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
18816
18817 @end table
18818
18819 @node Sparclet
18820 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
18821
18822 @cindex Sparclet
18823
18824 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
18825 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
18826 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
18827 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
18828 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
18829
18830 @table @code
18831 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
18832 @kindex remotetimeout
18833 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
18834 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
18835 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
18836 @end table
18837
18838 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
18839 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
18840 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
18841 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
18842 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
18843
18844 @smallexample
18845 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
18846 @end smallexample
18847
18848 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
18849
18850 @smallexample
18851 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
18852 @end smallexample
18853
18854 @cindex running, on Sparclet
18855 Once you have set
18856 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
18857 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
18858 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
18859
18860 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
18861
18862 @smallexample
18863 (gdbslet)
18864 @end smallexample
18865
18866 @menu
18867 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
18868 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
18869 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
18870 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
18871 @end menu
18872
18873 @node Sparclet File
18874 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
18875
18876 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
18877
18878 @smallexample
18879 (gdbslet) file prog
18880 @end smallexample
18881
18882 @need 1000
18883 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
18884 @value{GDBN} locates
18885 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
18886 path.
18887 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
18888 files will be searched as well.
18889 @value{GDBN} locates
18890 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
18891 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
18892 If it fails
18893 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
18894
18895 @smallexample
18896 prog: No such file or directory.
18897 @end smallexample
18898
18899 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
18900 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
18901 @code{target} command again.
18902
18903 @node Sparclet Connection
18904 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
18905
18906 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
18907 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
18908
18909 @smallexample
18910 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
18911 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
18912 main () at ../prog.c:3
18913 @end smallexample
18914
18915 @need 750
18916 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18917
18918 @smallexample
18919 Connected to ttya.
18920 @end smallexample
18921
18922 @node Sparclet Download
18923 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
18924
18925 @cindex download to Sparclet
18926 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
18927 you can use the @value{GDBN}
18928 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
18929 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
18930 command.
18931 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
18932 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
18933 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
18934 of each of the file's sections.
18935 For instance, if the program
18936 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
18937 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18938
18939 @smallexample
18940 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
18941 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
18942 @end smallexample
18943
18944 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
18945 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
18946 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
18947
18948 @node Sparclet Execution
18949 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
18950
18951 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
18952 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
18953 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
18954 manual for the list of commands.
18955
18956 @smallexample
18957 (gdbslet) b main
18958 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
18959 (gdbslet) run
18960 Starting program: prog
18961 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
18962 3 char *symarg = 0;
18963 (gdbslet) step
18964 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
18965 (gdbslet)
18966 @end smallexample
18967
18968 @node Sparclite
18969 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
18970
18971 @table @code
18972
18973 @kindex target sparclite
18974 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
18975 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
18976 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
18977 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
18978 remote protocol.
18979
18980 @end table
18981
18982 @node Z8000
18983 @subsection Zilog Z8000
18984
18985 @cindex Z8000
18986 @cindex simulator, Z8000
18987 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
18988
18989 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
18990 a Z8000 simulator.
18991
18992 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
18993 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
18994 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
18995 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
18996
18997 @table @code
18998 @item target sim @var{args}
18999 @kindex sim
19000 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
19001 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
19002 options, specify them via @var{args}.
19003 @end table
19004
19005 @noindent
19006 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
19007 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
19008 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
19009 to run your program, and so on.
19010
19011 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
19012 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
19013 additional items of information as specially named registers:
19014
19015 @table @code
19016
19017 @item cycles
19018 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
19019
19020 @item insts
19021 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
19022
19023 @item time
19024 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
19025
19026 @end table
19027
19028 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
19029 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
19030 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
19031 simulated clock ticks.
19032
19033 @node AVR
19034 @subsection Atmel AVR
19035 @cindex AVR
19036
19037 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
19038 following AVR-specific commands:
19039
19040 @table @code
19041 @item info io_registers
19042 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
19043 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
19044 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
19045 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
19046 @end table
19047
19048 @node CRIS
19049 @subsection CRIS
19050 @cindex CRIS
19051
19052 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
19053 following CRIS-specific commands:
19054
19055 @table @code
19056 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
19057 @cindex CRIS version
19058 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
19059 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
19060 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
19061
19062 @item show cris-version
19063 Show the current CRIS version.
19064
19065 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
19066 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
19067 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
19068 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
19069 @code{R59}.
19070
19071 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
19072 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
19073
19074 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
19075 @cindex CRIS mode
19076 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
19077 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
19078 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
19079
19080 @item show cris-mode
19081 Show the current CRIS mode.
19082 @end table
19083
19084 @node Super-H
19085 @subsection Renesas Super-H
19086 @cindex Super-H
19087
19088 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
19089 commands:
19090
19091 @table @code
19092 @item regs
19093 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
19094 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
19095
19096 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
19097 @kindex set sh calling-convention
19098 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
19099 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
19100 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
19101 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
19102 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
19103 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
19104 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
19105 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
19106 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
19107 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
19108
19109 @item show sh calling-convention
19110 @kindex show sh calling-convention
19111 Show the current calling convention setting.
19112
19113 @end table
19114
19115
19116 @node Architectures
19117 @section Architectures
19118
19119 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
19120 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
19121
19122 @menu
19123 * i386::
19124 * A29K::
19125 * Alpha::
19126 * MIPS::
19127 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
19128 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19129 * PowerPC::
19130 @end menu
19131
19132 @node i386
19133 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
19134
19135 @table @code
19136 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
19137 @kindex set struct-convention
19138 @cindex struct return convention
19139 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
19140 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
19141 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
19142 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
19143 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
19144 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
19145 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
19146 be returned in a register.
19147
19148 @item show struct-convention
19149 @kindex show struct-convention
19150 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
19151 from functions.
19152 @end table
19153
19154 @node A29K
19155 @subsection A29K
19156
19157 @table @code
19158
19159 @kindex set rstack_high_address
19160 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
19161 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
19162 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
19163 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
19164 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
19165 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
19166 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
19167 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
19168 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
19169 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
19170 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
19171 hexadecimal.
19172
19173 @kindex show rstack_high_address
19174 @item show rstack_high_address
19175 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
19176 processors.
19177
19178 @end table
19179
19180 @node Alpha
19181 @subsection Alpha
19182
19183 See the following section.
19184
19185 @node MIPS
19186 @subsection MIPS
19187
19188 @cindex stack on Alpha
19189 @cindex stack on MIPS
19190 @cindex Alpha stack
19191 @cindex MIPS stack
19192 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
19193 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
19194 find the beginning of a function.
19195
19196 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
19197 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
19198 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
19199 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
19200 commands:
19201
19202 @table @code
19203 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
19204 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
19205 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
19206 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
19207 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
19208 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
19209 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
19210 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
19211
19212 @item show heuristic-fence-post
19213 Display the current limit.
19214 @end table
19215
19216 @noindent
19217 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
19218 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
19219
19220 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
19221 programs:
19222
19223 @table @code
19224 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
19225 @kindex set mips abi
19226 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
19227 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
19228 values of @var{arg} are:
19229
19230 @table @samp
19231 @item auto
19232 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
19233 default).
19234 @item o32
19235 @item o64
19236 @item n32
19237 @item n64
19238 @item eabi32
19239 @item eabi64
19240 @item auto
19241 @end table
19242
19243 @item show mips abi
19244 @kindex show mips abi
19245 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
19246
19247 @item set mipsfpu
19248 @itemx show mipsfpu
19249 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
19250
19251 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
19252 @kindex set mips mask-address
19253 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
19254 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
19255 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
19256 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
19257 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
19258
19259 @item show mips mask-address
19260 @kindex show mips mask-address
19261 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
19262 not.
19263
19264 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19265 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19266 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
19267 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
19268 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
19269 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
19270
19271 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19272 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19273 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
19274
19275 @item set debug mips
19276 @kindex set debug mips
19277 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
19278 target code in @value{GDBN}.
19279
19280 @item show debug mips
19281 @kindex show debug mips
19282 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
19283 @end table
19284
19285
19286 @node HPPA
19287 @subsection HPPA
19288 @cindex HPPA support
19289
19290 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
19291 following special commands:
19292
19293 @table @code
19294 @item set debug hppa
19295 @kindex set debug hppa
19296 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
19297 messages are to be displayed.
19298
19299 @item show debug hppa
19300 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
19301
19302 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
19303 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
19304 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
19305 given @var{address}.
19306
19307 @end table
19308
19309
19310 @node SPU
19311 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19312 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
19313 @cindex SPU
19314
19315 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
19316 it provides the following special commands:
19317
19318 @table @code
19319 @item info spu event
19320 @kindex info spu
19321 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
19322 and pending event status.
19323
19324 @item info spu signal
19325 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
19326 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
19327 notification channels.
19328
19329 @item info spu mailbox
19330 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
19331 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
19332 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
19333
19334 @item info spu dma
19335 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19336 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19337 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19338
19339 @item info spu proxydma
19340 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19341 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19342 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19343
19344 @end table
19345
19346 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
19347 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
19348 special commands:
19349
19350 @table @code
19351 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
19352 @kindex set spu
19353 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
19354 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
19355 function. The default is @code{off}.
19356
19357 @item show spu stop-on-load
19358 @kindex show spu
19359 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
19360
19361 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
19362 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
19363 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
19364 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
19365 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
19366 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
19367
19368 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
19369 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
19370
19371 @end table
19372
19373 @node PowerPC
19374 @subsection PowerPC
19375 @cindex PowerPC architecture
19376
19377 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
19378 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
19379 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
19380 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
19381 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
19382
19383 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
19384 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
19385 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
19386
19387 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
19388 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
19389
19390
19391 @node Controlling GDB
19392 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
19393
19394 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
19395 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
19396 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
19397 described here.
19398
19399 @menu
19400 * Prompt:: Prompt
19401 * Editing:: Command editing
19402 * Command History:: Command history
19403 * Screen Size:: Screen size
19404 * Numbers:: Numbers
19405 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
19406 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
19407 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
19408 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
19409 @end menu
19410
19411 @node Prompt
19412 @section Prompt
19413
19414 @cindex prompt
19415
19416 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
19417 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
19418 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
19419 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
19420 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
19421 which one you are talking to.
19422
19423 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
19424 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
19425 or a prompt that does not.
19426
19427 @table @code
19428 @kindex set prompt
19429 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
19430 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
19431
19432 @kindex show prompt
19433 @item show prompt
19434 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
19435 @end table
19436
19437 @node Editing
19438 @section Command Editing
19439 @cindex readline
19440 @cindex command line editing
19441
19442 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
19443 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
19444 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
19445 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
19446 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
19447 debugging sessions.
19448
19449 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
19450 command @code{set}.
19451
19452 @table @code
19453 @kindex set editing
19454 @cindex editing
19455 @item set editing
19456 @itemx set editing on
19457 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
19458
19459 @item set editing off
19460 Disable command line editing.
19461
19462 @kindex show editing
19463 @item show editing
19464 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
19465 @end table
19466
19467 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19468 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
19469 @end ifset
19470 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19471 @xref{Command Line Editing},
19472 @end ifclear
19473 for more details about the Readline
19474 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
19475 encouraged to read that chapter.
19476
19477 @node Command History
19478 @section Command History
19479 @cindex command history
19480
19481 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
19482 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
19483 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
19484 history facility.
19485
19486 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
19487 package, to provide the history facility.
19488 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19489 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
19490 @end ifset
19491 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19492 @xref{Using History Interactively},
19493 @end ifclear
19494 for the detailed description of the History library.
19495
19496 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
19497 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
19498 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
19499 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
19500 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
19501 pressed on a line by itself.
19502
19503 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
19504 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
19505 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
19506 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
19507
19508 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
19509 history.
19510
19511 @table @code
19512 @cindex history substitution
19513 @cindex history file
19514 @kindex set history filename
19515 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
19516 @item set history filename @var{fname}
19517 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
19518 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
19519 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
19520 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
19521 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
19522 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
19523 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
19524 is not set.
19525
19526 @cindex save command history
19527 @kindex set history save
19528 @item set history save
19529 @itemx set history save on
19530 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
19531 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
19532
19533 @item set history save off
19534 Stop recording command history in a file.
19535
19536 @cindex history size
19537 @kindex set history size
19538 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
19539 @item set history size @var{size}
19540 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
19541 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
19542 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
19543 @end table
19544
19545 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
19546 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19547 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
19548 @end ifset
19549 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19550 @xref{Event Designators},
19551 @end ifclear
19552 for more details.
19553
19554 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
19555 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
19556 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
19557 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
19558 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
19559 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
19560 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
19561 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
19562
19563 The commands to control history expansion are:
19564
19565 @table @code
19566 @item set history expansion on
19567 @itemx set history expansion
19568 @kindex set history expansion
19569 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
19570
19571 @item set history expansion off
19572 Disable history expansion.
19573
19574 @c @group
19575 @kindex show history
19576 @item show history
19577 @itemx show history filename
19578 @itemx show history save
19579 @itemx show history size
19580 @itemx show history expansion
19581 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
19582 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
19583 @c @end group
19584 @end table
19585
19586 @table @code
19587 @kindex show commands
19588 @cindex show last commands
19589 @cindex display command history
19590 @item show commands
19591 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
19592
19593 @item show commands @var{n}
19594 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
19595
19596 @item show commands +
19597 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
19598 @end table
19599
19600 @node Screen Size
19601 @section Screen Size
19602 @cindex size of screen
19603 @cindex pauses in output
19604
19605 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
19606 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
19607 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
19608 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
19609 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
19610 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
19611 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
19612 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
19613
19614 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
19615 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
19616 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
19617 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
19618 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
19619 width} commands:
19620
19621 @table @code
19622 @kindex set height
19623 @kindex set width
19624 @kindex show width
19625 @kindex show height
19626 @item set height @var{lpp}
19627 @itemx show height
19628 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
19629 @itemx show width
19630 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
19631 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
19632 commands display the current settings.
19633
19634 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
19635 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
19636 file or to an editor buffer.
19637
19638 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
19639 from wrapping its output.
19640
19641 @item set pagination on
19642 @itemx set pagination off
19643 @kindex set pagination
19644 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
19645 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
19646 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
19647 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
19648
19649 @item show pagination
19650 @kindex show pagination
19651 Show the current pagination mode.
19652 @end table
19653
19654 @node Numbers
19655 @section Numbers
19656 @cindex number representation
19657 @cindex entering numbers
19658
19659 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
19660 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
19661 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
19662 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
19663 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
19664 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
19665 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
19666 both input and output with the commands described below.
19667
19668 @table @code
19669 @kindex set input-radix
19670 @item set input-radix @var{base}
19671 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
19672 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19673 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
19674 example, any of
19675
19676 @smallexample
19677 set input-radix 012
19678 set input-radix 10.
19679 set input-radix 0xa
19680 @end smallexample
19681
19682 @noindent
19683 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
19684 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
19685 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
19686 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
19687 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
19688 change the radix.
19689
19690 @kindex set output-radix
19691 @item set output-radix @var{base}
19692 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
19693 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19694 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
19695
19696 @kindex show input-radix
19697 @item show input-radix
19698 Display the current default base for numeric input.
19699
19700 @kindex show output-radix
19701 @item show output-radix
19702 Display the current default base for numeric display.
19703
19704 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
19705 @itemx show radix
19706 @kindex set radix
19707 @kindex show radix
19708 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
19709 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
19710 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
19711 default value of 10.
19712
19713 @end table
19714
19715 @node ABI
19716 @section Configuring the Current ABI
19717
19718 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
19719 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
19720 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
19721 current ABI.
19722
19723 @cindex OS ABI
19724 @kindex set osabi
19725 @kindex show osabi
19726
19727 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
19728 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
19729 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
19730 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
19731 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
19732 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
19733 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
19734 platform provides.
19735
19736 @table @code
19737 @item show osabi
19738 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
19739
19740 @item set osabi
19741 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
19742
19743 @item set osabi @var{abi}
19744 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
19745 @end table
19746
19747 @cindex float promotion
19748
19749 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
19750 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
19751 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
19752 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
19753 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
19754 @code{double} and then passed.
19755
19756 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
19757 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
19758 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
19759
19760 @table @code
19761 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
19762 @item set coerce-float-to-double
19763 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
19764 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
19765 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
19766
19767 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
19768 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
19769 functions.
19770
19771 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
19772 @item show coerce-float-to-double
19773 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
19774 @end table
19775
19776 @kindex set cp-abi
19777 @kindex show cp-abi
19778 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
19779 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
19780 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
19781 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
19782 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
19783 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
19784 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
19785 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
19786 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
19787 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
19788 ``auto''.
19789
19790 @table @code
19791 @item show cp-abi
19792 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
19793
19794 @item set cp-abi
19795 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
19796
19797 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
19798 @itemx set cp-abi auto
19799 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
19800 @end table
19801
19802 @node Messages/Warnings
19803 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
19804
19805 @cindex verbose operation
19806 @cindex optional warnings
19807 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
19808 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
19809 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
19810 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
19811
19812 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
19813 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
19814 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
19815
19816 @table @code
19817 @kindex set verbose
19818 @item set verbose on
19819 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19820
19821 @item set verbose off
19822 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19823
19824 @kindex show verbose
19825 @item show verbose
19826 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
19827 @end table
19828
19829 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
19830 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
19831 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
19832 Symbol Files}).
19833
19834 @table @code
19835
19836 @kindex set complaints
19837 @item set complaints @var{limit}
19838 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
19839 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
19840 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
19841 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
19842
19843 @kindex show complaints
19844 @item show complaints
19845 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
19846
19847 @end table
19848
19849 @anchor{confirmation requests}
19850 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
19851 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
19852 you try to run a program which is already running:
19853
19854 @smallexample
19855 (@value{GDBP}) run
19856 The program being debugged has been started already.
19857 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
19858 @end smallexample
19859
19860 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
19861 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
19862
19863 @table @code
19864
19865 @kindex set confirm
19866 @cindex flinching
19867 @cindex confirmation
19868 @cindex stupid questions
19869 @item set confirm off
19870 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
19871 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
19872 automatically disables confirmation requests.
19873
19874 @item set confirm on
19875 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
19876
19877 @kindex show confirm
19878 @item show confirm
19879 Displays state of confirmation requests.
19880
19881 @end table
19882
19883 @cindex command tracing
19884 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
19885 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
19886 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
19887 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
19888
19889 @table @code
19890 @kindex set trace-commands
19891 @cindex command scripts, debugging
19892 @item set trace-commands on
19893 Enable command tracing.
19894 @item set trace-commands off
19895 Disable command tracing.
19896 @item show trace-commands
19897 Display the current state of command tracing.
19898 @end table
19899
19900 @node Debugging Output
19901 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
19902 @cindex optional debugging messages
19903
19904 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
19905 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
19906 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
19907 section documents those commands.
19908
19909 @table @code
19910 @kindex set exec-done-display
19911 @item set exec-done-display
19912 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
19913 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
19914 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
19915 @kindex show exec-done-display
19916 @item show exec-done-display
19917 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
19918 notification.
19919 @kindex set debug
19920 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
19921 @cindex architecture debugging info
19922 @item set debug arch
19923 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
19924 @kindex show debug
19925 @item show debug arch
19926 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
19927 @item set debug aix-thread
19928 @cindex AIX threads
19929 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
19930 module.
19931 @item show debug aix-thread
19932 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
19933 @item set debug dwarf2-die
19934 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
19935 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
19936 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
19937 A value of zero turns off the display.
19938 @item show debug dwarf2-die
19939 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
19940 @item set debug displaced
19941 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
19942 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
19943 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
19944 @item show debug displaced
19945 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
19946 related to displaced stepping.
19947 @item set debug event
19948 @cindex event debugging info
19949 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
19950 default is off.
19951 @item show debug event
19952 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
19953 info.
19954 @item set debug expression
19955 @cindex expression debugging info
19956 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
19957 expression parsing. The default is off.
19958 @item show debug expression
19959 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
19960 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
19961 @item set debug frame
19962 @cindex frame debugging info
19963 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
19964 default is off.
19965 @item show debug frame
19966 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
19967 info.
19968 @item set debug gnu-nat
19969 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
19970 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
19971 @item show debug gnu-nat
19972 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
19973 @item set debug infrun
19974 @cindex inferior debugging info
19975 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
19976 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
19977 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
19978 @item show debug infrun
19979 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
19980 @item set debug jit
19981 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
19982 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
19983 @item show debug jit
19984 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
19985 @item set debug lin-lwp
19986 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
19987 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
19988 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
19989 @item show debug lin-lwp
19990 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
19991 @item set debug lin-lwp-async
19992 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP async debug messages
19993 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
19994 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP async debug support.
19995 @item show debug lin-lwp-async
19996 Show the current state of Linux LWP async debugging messages.
19997 @item set debug observer
19998 @cindex observer debugging info
19999 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
20000 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
20001 @item show debug observer
20002 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
20003 @item set debug overload
20004 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
20005 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
20006 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
20007 is off.
20008 @item show debug overload
20009 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
20010 debugging info.
20011 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
20012 @cindex debug expression parser
20013 @item set debug parser
20014 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
20015 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
20016 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
20017 details. The default is off.
20018 @item show debug parser
20019 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
20020 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
20021 @cindex serial connections, debugging
20022 @cindex debug remote protocol
20023 @cindex remote protocol debugging
20024 @cindex display remote packets
20025 @item set debug remote
20026 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
20027 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
20028 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
20029 @item show debug remote
20030 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
20031 @item set debug serial
20032 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
20033 default is off.
20034 @item show debug serial
20035 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
20036 info.
20037 @item set debug solib-frv
20038 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
20039 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
20040 @item show debug solib-frv
20041 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
20042 messages.
20043 @item set debug target
20044 @cindex target debugging info
20045 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
20046 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
20047 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
20048 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
20049 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
20050 @item show debug target
20051 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
20052 info.
20053 @item set debug timestamp
20054 @cindex timestampping debugging info
20055 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
20056 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
20057 message.
20058 @item show debug timestamp
20059 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
20060 debugging info.
20061 @item set debugvarobj
20062 @cindex variable object debugging info
20063 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
20064 info. The default is off.
20065 @item show debugvarobj
20066 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
20067 debugging info.
20068 @item set debug xml
20069 @cindex XML parser debugging
20070 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
20071 @item show debug xml
20072 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
20073 @end table
20074
20075 @node Other Misc Settings
20076 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
20077 @cindex miscellaneous settings
20078
20079 @table @code
20080 @kindex set interactive-mode
20081 @item set interactive-mode
20082 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate interactively.
20083 If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate non-interactively,
20084 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} guesses which mode to use,
20085 based on whether the debugger was started in a terminal or not.
20086
20087 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
20088 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
20089 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
20090 inside a cygwin window.
20091
20092 @kindex show interactive-mode
20093 @item show interactive-mode
20094 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
20095 @end table
20096
20097 @node Extending GDB
20098 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
20099 @cindex extending GDB
20100
20101 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
20102 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
20103 Python scripting language.
20104
20105 To facilitate the use of these extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
20106 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
20107 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
20108 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
20109 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20110 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
20111
20112 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
20113 setting:
20114
20115 @table @code
20116 @kindex set script-extension
20117 @kindex show script-extension
20118 @item set script-extension off
20119 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20120
20121 @item set script-extension soft
20122 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20123 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
20124 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
20125 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
20126
20127 @item set script-extension strict
20128 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20129 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
20130 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
20131
20132 @item show script-extension
20133 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
20134
20135 @end table
20136
20137 @menu
20138 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
20139 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20140 @end menu
20141
20142 @node Sequences
20143 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
20144
20145 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
20146 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
20147 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
20148 files.
20149
20150 @menu
20151 * Define:: How to define your own commands
20152 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
20153 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
20154 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
20155 @end menu
20156
20157 @node Define
20158 @subsection User-defined Commands
20159
20160 @cindex user-defined command
20161 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
20162 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
20163 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
20164 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
20165 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
20166 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
20167
20168 @smallexample
20169 define adder
20170 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20171 end
20172 @end smallexample
20173
20174 @noindent
20175 To execute the command use:
20176
20177 @smallexample
20178 adder 1 2 3
20179 @end smallexample
20180
20181 @noindent
20182 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
20183 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
20184 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
20185 functions calls.
20186
20187 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
20188 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
20189 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
20190 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
20191
20192 @smallexample
20193 define adder
20194 if $argc == 2
20195 print $arg0 + $arg1
20196 end
20197 if $argc == 3
20198 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20199 end
20200 end
20201 @end smallexample
20202
20203 @table @code
20204
20205 @kindex define
20206 @item define @var{commandname}
20207 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
20208 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
20209 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
20210 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
20211 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
20212 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
20213
20214 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
20215 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
20216 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20217
20218 @kindex document
20219 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
20220 @item document @var{commandname}
20221 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
20222 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
20223 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
20224 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
20225 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
20226 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
20227
20228 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
20229 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
20230 does not change the documentation.
20231
20232 @kindex dont-repeat
20233 @cindex don't repeat command
20234 @item dont-repeat
20235 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
20236 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
20237 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
20238
20239 @kindex help user-defined
20240 @item help user-defined
20241 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
20242 (if any) for each.
20243
20244 @kindex show user
20245 @item show user
20246 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
20247 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
20248 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
20249 definitions for all user-defined commands.
20250
20251 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
20252 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
20253 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
20254 @item show max-user-call-depth
20255 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
20256 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
20257 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
20258 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
20259 @end table
20260
20261 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
20262 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
20263
20264 When user-defined commands are executed, the
20265 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
20266 stops execution of the user-defined command.
20267
20268 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
20269 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
20270 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
20271 messages when used in a user-defined command.
20272
20273 @node Hooks
20274 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
20275 @cindex command hooks
20276 @cindex hooks, for commands
20277 @cindex hooks, pre-command
20278
20279 @kindex hook
20280 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
20281 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
20282 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
20283 before that command.
20284
20285 @cindex hooks, post-command
20286 @kindex hookpost
20287 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
20288 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
20289 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
20290 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
20291 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
20292
20293 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
20294 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
20295
20296 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
20297 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
20298
20299 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
20300 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
20301 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
20302 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
20303 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
20304
20305 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
20306 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
20307 you could define:
20308
20309 @smallexample
20310 define hook-stop
20311 handle SIGALRM nopass
20312 end
20313
20314 define hook-run
20315 handle SIGALRM pass
20316 end
20317
20318 define hook-continue
20319 handle SIGALRM pass
20320 end
20321 @end smallexample
20322
20323 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
20324 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
20325 you could define:
20326
20327 @smallexample
20328 define hook-echo
20329 echo <<<---
20330 end
20331
20332 define hookpost-echo
20333 echo --->>>\n
20334 end
20335
20336 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
20337 <<<---Hello World--->>>
20338 (@value{GDBP})
20339
20340 @end smallexample
20341
20342 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
20343 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
20344 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
20345 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
20346 @c or not?
20347 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
20348 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
20349 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
20350
20351 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
20352 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
20353 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
20354
20355 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
20356 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
20357
20358 @node Command Files
20359 @subsection Command Files
20360
20361 @cindex command files
20362 @cindex scripting commands
20363 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
20364 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
20365 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
20366 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
20367 terminal.
20368
20369 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
20370 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
20371 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
20372 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
20373 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
20374
20375 @table @code
20376 @kindex source
20377 @cindex execute commands from a file
20378 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
20379 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
20380 @end table
20381
20382 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
20383 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
20384 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
20385 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
20386 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
20387
20388 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
20389 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
20390 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
20391 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
20392 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
20393 is not relevant to scripts.
20394
20395 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
20396 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
20397 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
20398 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
20399 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20400 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
20401 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
20402 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
20403 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20404 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
20405 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
20406 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
20407 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
20408 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
20409
20410 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
20411 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
20412 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
20413
20414 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
20415 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
20416 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
20417 when called from command files.
20418
20419 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
20420 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
20421 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
20422 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
20423 the next command.
20424
20425 @smallexample
20426 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
20427 @end smallexample
20428
20429 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
20430 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
20431 would be directed to @file{log}.
20432
20433 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
20434 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
20435 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
20436 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
20437 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
20438 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
20439 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
20440 conditionally, etc.
20441
20442 @table @code
20443 @kindex if
20444 @kindex else
20445 @item if
20446 @itemx else
20447 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
20448 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
20449 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
20450 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
20451 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
20452 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
20453 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20454
20455 @kindex while
20456 @item while
20457 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
20458 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
20459 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
20460 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
20461 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
20462 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
20463
20464 @kindex loop_break
20465 @item loop_break
20466 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
20467 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
20468 line.
20469
20470 @kindex loop_continue
20471 @item loop_continue
20472 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
20473 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
20474 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
20475 the controlling expression.
20476
20477 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
20478 @item end
20479 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
20480 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
20481 @end table
20482
20483
20484 @node Output
20485 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
20486
20487 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
20488 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
20489 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
20490 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
20491 want.
20492
20493 @table @code
20494 @kindex echo
20495 @item echo @var{text}
20496 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
20497 @c because it is not in ANSI.
20498 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
20499 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
20500 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
20501 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
20502 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
20503 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
20504 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
20505 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
20506 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
20507
20508 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
20509 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
20510
20511 @smallexample
20512 echo This is some text\n\
20513 which is continued\n\
20514 onto several lines.\n
20515 @end smallexample
20516
20517 produces the same output as
20518
20519 @smallexample
20520 echo This is some text\n
20521 echo which is continued\n
20522 echo onto several lines.\n
20523 @end smallexample
20524
20525 @kindex output
20526 @item output @var{expression}
20527 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
20528 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
20529 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
20530 on expressions.
20531
20532 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
20533 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
20534 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
20535 Formats}, for more information.
20536
20537 @kindex printf
20538 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20539 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20540 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
20541 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
20542 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
20543 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
20544 executing the code below:
20545
20546 @smallexample
20547 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
20548 @end smallexample
20549
20550 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
20551 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
20552 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
20553 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
20554 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
20555 printed.
20556
20557 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
20558
20559 @smallexample
20560 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
20561 @end smallexample
20562
20563 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
20564 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
20565 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
20566
20567 @itemize @bullet
20568 @item
20569 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
20570
20571 @item
20572 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
20573 width.
20574
20575 @item
20576 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
20577 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
20578
20579 @item
20580 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
20581 supported.
20582
20583 @item
20584 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
20585
20586 @item
20587 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
20588 @end itemize
20589
20590 @noindent
20591 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
20592 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
20593 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
20594 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
20595
20596 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
20597 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
20598 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
20599 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
20600 supported.
20601
20602 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
20603 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
20604 together with a floating point specifier.
20605 letters:
20606
20607 @itemize @bullet
20608 @item
20609 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
20610
20611 @item
20612 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
20613
20614 @item
20615 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
20616 @end itemize
20617
20618 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
20619 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
20620 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
20621
20622 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
20623 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
20624
20625 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
20626 @smallexample
20627 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
20628 @end smallexample
20629
20630 @kindex eval
20631 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20632 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20633 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
20634
20635 @end table
20636
20637 @node Python
20638 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20639 @cindex python scripting
20640 @cindex scripting with python
20641
20642 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
20643 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
20644 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
20645
20646 @cindex python directory
20647 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
20648 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
20649 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
20650 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
20651 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
20652 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
20653
20654 @menu
20655 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
20656 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
20657 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
20658 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
20659 @end menu
20660
20661 @node Python Commands
20662 @subsection Python Commands
20663 @cindex python commands
20664 @cindex commands to access python
20665
20666 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
20667 and one related setting:
20668
20669 @table @code
20670 @kindex python
20671 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
20672 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
20673
20674 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
20675 argument as a Python command. For example:
20676
20677 @smallexample
20678 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
20679 23
20680 @end smallexample
20681
20682 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
20683 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
20684 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
20685 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
20686 containing @code{end}. For example:
20687
20688 @smallexample
20689 (@value{GDBP}) python
20690 Type python script
20691 End with a line saying just "end".
20692 >print 23
20693 >end
20694 23
20695 @end smallexample
20696
20697 @kindex maint set python print-stack
20698 @item maint set python print-stack
20699 By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
20700 in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
20701 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
20702 printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
20703 disabled.
20704 @end table
20705
20706 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
20707 interpreter:
20708
20709 @table @code
20710 @item source @file{script-name}
20711 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
20712 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
20713 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
20714
20715 @item python execfile ("script-name")
20716 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
20717 and thus is always available.
20718 @end table
20719
20720 @node Python API
20721 @subsection Python API
20722 @cindex python api
20723 @cindex programming in python
20724
20725 @cindex python stdout
20726 @cindex python pagination
20727 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
20728 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
20729 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
20730 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
20731 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
20732
20733 @menu
20734 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
20735 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
20736 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
20737 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
20738 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
20739 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
20740 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
20741 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
20742 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
20743 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
20744 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
20745 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
20746 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
20747 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
20748 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
20749 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
20750 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
20751 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
20752 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
20753 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
20754 @end menu
20755
20756 @node Basic Python
20757 @subsubsection Basic Python
20758
20759 @cindex python functions
20760 @cindex python module
20761 @cindex gdb module
20762 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
20763 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
20764 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
20765 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
20766
20767 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
20768 @defvar PYTHONDIR
20769 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
20770 @end defvar
20771
20772 @findex gdb.execute
20773 @defun execute command [from_tty] [to_string]
20774 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
20775 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
20776 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
20777
20778 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
20779 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
20780 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
20781
20782 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
20783 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
20784 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
20785 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
20786 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
20787 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
20788 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
20789 @end defun
20790
20791 @findex gdb.breakpoints
20792 @defun breakpoints
20793 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
20794 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
20795 @end defun
20796
20797 @findex gdb.parameter
20798 @defun parameter parameter
20799 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
20800 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
20801 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
20802 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
20803
20804 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
20805 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
20806 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
20807 type, and returned.
20808 @end defun
20809
20810 @findex gdb.history
20811 @defun history number
20812 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
20813 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
20814 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
20815 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
20816 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
20817 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
20818 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
20819 raised.
20820
20821 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
20822 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
20823 @end defun
20824
20825 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
20826 @defun parse_and_eval expression
20827 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
20828 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20829 @var{expression} must be a string.
20830
20831 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
20832 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
20833 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
20834 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
20835 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20836 @end defun
20837
20838 @findex gdb.post_event
20839 @defun post_event event
20840 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
20841 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
20842 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
20843 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
20844 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
20845 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
20846
20847 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
20848 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
20849 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
20850 this. For example:
20851
20852 @smallexample
20853 (@value{GDBP}) python
20854 >import threading
20855 >
20856 >class Writer():
20857 > def __init__(self, message):
20858 > self.message = message;
20859 > def __call__(self):
20860 > gdb.write(self.message)
20861 >
20862 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
20863 > def run (self):
20864 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
20865 >
20866 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
20867 > def run (self):
20868 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
20869 >
20870 >MyThread1().start()
20871 >MyThread2().start()
20872 >end
20873 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
20874 @end smallexample
20875 @end defun
20876
20877 @findex gdb.write
20878 @defun write string
20879 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream.
20880 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
20881 call this function.
20882 @end defun
20883
20884 @findex gdb.flush
20885 @defun flush
20886 Flush @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream. Flushing
20887 @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically call this
20888 function.
20889 @end defun
20890
20891 @findex gdb.target_charset
20892 @defun target_charset
20893 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
20894 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
20895 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
20896 @end defun
20897
20898 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
20899 @defun target_wide_charset
20900 Return the name of the current target wide character set
20901 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
20902 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
20903 never returned.
20904 @end defun
20905
20906 @findex gdb.solib_name
20907 @defun solib_name address
20908 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
20909 as a string, or @code{None}.
20910 @end defun
20911
20912 @findex gdb.decode_line
20913 @defun decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
20914 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
20915 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
20916 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
20917 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
20918 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
20919 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
20920 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
20921 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
20922 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
20923 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
20924 @end defun
20925
20926 @node Exception Handling
20927 @subsubsection Exception Handling
20928 @cindex python exceptions
20929 @cindex exceptions, python
20930
20931 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
20932 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
20933 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
20934 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
20935 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
20936 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
20937 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
20938
20939 @smallexample
20940 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
20941 Traceback (most recent call last):
20942 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
20943 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
20944 @end smallexample
20945
20946 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
20947 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
20948 Python exception depends on the error.
20949
20950 @ftable @code
20951 @item gdb.error
20952 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
20953 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
20954 versions of @value{GDBN}.
20955
20956 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
20957 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
20958
20959 @item gdb.MemoryError
20960 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
20961 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
20962
20963 @item KeyboardInterrupt
20964 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
20965 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
20966 @end ftable
20967
20968 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
20969 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
20970 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
20971 traceback.
20972
20973 @findex gdb.GdbError
20974 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
20975 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
20976 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
20977 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
20978 to handle this case. Example:
20979
20980 @smallexample
20981 (gdb) python
20982 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
20983 > """Greet the whole world."""
20984 > def __init__ (self):
20985 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
20986 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
20987 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
20988 > if len (argv) != 0:
20989 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
20990 > print "Hello, World!"
20991 >HelloWorld ()
20992 >end
20993 (gdb) hello-world 42
20994 hello-world takes no arguments
20995 @end smallexample
20996
20997 @node Values From Inferior
20998 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
20999 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
21000 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
21001
21002 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
21003 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
21004 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
21005 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
21006 fetching values when necessary.
21007
21008 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
21009 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
21010 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
21011
21012 @smallexample
21013 bar = some_val + 2
21014 @end smallexample
21015
21016 @noindent
21017 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
21018 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
21019
21020 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
21021 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
21022 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
21023 can access its @code{foo} element with:
21024
21025 @smallexample
21026 bar = some_val['foo']
21027 @end smallexample
21028
21029 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
21030
21031 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
21032 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
21033 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
21034 by that prototype.
21035
21036 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
21037 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
21038 execute this function, call it like so:
21039
21040 @smallexample
21041 result = some_val (10,20)
21042 @end smallexample
21043
21044 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
21045 @code{gdb.Value}.
21046
21047 The following attributes are provided:
21048
21049 @table @code
21050 @defivar Value address
21051 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
21052 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
21053 this attribute holds @code{None}.
21054 @end defivar
21055
21056 @cindex optimized out value in Python
21057 @defivar Value is_optimized_out
21058 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
21059 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
21060 @end defivar
21061
21062 @defivar Value type
21063 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
21064 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
21065 @end defivar
21066
21067 @defivar Value dynamic_type
21068 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
21069 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
21070 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
21071 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
21072 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
21073 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
21074 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
21075 type.
21076
21077 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
21078 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
21079 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
21080 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
21081 @end defivar
21082 @end table
21083
21084 The following methods are provided:
21085
21086 @table @code
21087 @defmethod Value __init__ @var{val}
21088 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
21089 this object initializer. Specifically:
21090
21091 @table @asis
21092 @item Python boolean
21093 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
21094 language.
21095
21096 @item Python integer
21097 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
21098 current architecture.
21099
21100 @item Python long
21101 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
21102 current architecture.
21103
21104 @item Python float
21105 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
21106 current architecture.
21107
21108 @item Python string
21109 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
21110 target encoding.
21111
21112 @item @code{gdb.Value}
21113 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
21114
21115 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
21116 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
21117 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
21118 its result is used.
21119 @end table
21120 @end defmethod
21121
21122 @defmethod Value cast type
21123 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
21124 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
21125 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
21126 reason, this method throws an exception.
21127 @end defmethod
21128
21129 @defmethod Value dereference
21130 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
21131 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
21132 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
21133
21134 @smallexample
21135 int *foo;
21136 @end smallexample
21137
21138 @noindent
21139 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
21140 @code{foo} points to like this:
21141
21142 @smallexample
21143 bar = foo.dereference ()
21144 @end smallexample
21145
21146 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
21147 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
21148 @end defmethod
21149
21150 @defmethod Value dynamic_cast type
21151 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
21152 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21153 @end defmethod
21154
21155 @defmethod Value reinterpret_cast type
21156 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
21157 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21158 @end defmethod
21159
21160 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
21161 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21162 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
21163 throw an exception.
21164
21165 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
21166 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
21167 language.
21168
21169 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
21170 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
21171 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
21172 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
21173 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
21174
21175 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21176 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
21177 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
21178 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
21179 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
21180 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
21181 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
21182 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
21183 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
21184
21185 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
21186 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
21187
21188 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21189 fetched and converted to the given length.
21190 @end defmethod
21191
21192 @defmethod Value lazy_string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
21193 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21194 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
21195 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
21196
21197 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21198 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
21199 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
21200 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
21201 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
21202
21203 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
21204 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
21205 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
21206 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
21207 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
21208 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
21209
21210 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21211 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
21212 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
21213 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
21214 @end defmethod
21215 @end table
21216
21217 @node Types In Python
21218 @subsubsection Types In Python
21219 @cindex types in Python
21220 @cindex Python, working with types
21221
21222 @tindex gdb.Type
21223 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
21224 @code{gdb.Type}.
21225
21226 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21227 module:
21228
21229 @findex gdb.lookup_type
21230 @defun lookup_type name [block]
21231 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
21232 type to look up. It must be a string.
21233
21234 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21235 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21236
21237 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
21238 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
21239 @end defun
21240
21241 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
21242
21243 @table @code
21244 @defivar Type code
21245 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
21246 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
21247 @end defivar
21248
21249 @defivar Type sizeof
21250 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
21251 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
21252 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
21253 @end defivar
21254
21255 @defivar Type tag
21256 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
21257 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
21258 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
21259 @code{None} is returned.
21260 @end defivar
21261 @end table
21262
21263 The following methods are provided:
21264
21265 @table @code
21266 @defmethod Type fields
21267 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
21268 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
21269 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
21270 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
21271 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
21272 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
21273
21274 Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
21275 @table @code
21276 @item bitpos
21277 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
21278 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
21279 position of the field.
21280
21281 @item name
21282 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
21283
21284 @item artificial
21285 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
21286 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
21287 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
21288
21289 @item is_base_class
21290 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
21291 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
21292 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
21293 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
21294
21295 @item bitsize
21296 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
21297 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
21298 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
21299
21300 @item type
21301 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
21302 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
21303 @end table
21304 @end defmethod
21305
21306 @defmethod Type array @var{n1} @r{[}@var{n2}@r{]}
21307 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
21308 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
21309 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
21310 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
21311 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
21312 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
21313 @end defmethod
21314
21315 @defmethod Type const
21316 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21317 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
21318 @end defmethod
21319
21320 @defmethod Type volatile
21321 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21322 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
21323 @end defmethod
21324
21325 @defmethod Type unqualified
21326 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
21327 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
21328 @code{volatile}.
21329 @end defmethod
21330
21331 @defmethod Type range
21332 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
21333 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
21334 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
21335 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
21336 @end defmethod
21337
21338 @defmethod Type reference
21339 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
21340 type.
21341 @end defmethod
21342
21343 @defmethod Type pointer
21344 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
21345 type.
21346 @end defmethod
21347
21348 @defmethod Type strip_typedefs
21349 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
21350 after removing all layers of typedefs.
21351 @end defmethod
21352
21353 @defmethod Type target
21354 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
21355 of this type.
21356
21357 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
21358 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
21359 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
21360 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
21361 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
21362 target type is the aliased type.
21363
21364 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
21365 exception.
21366 @end defmethod
21367
21368 @defmethod Type template_argument n [block]
21369 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
21370 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
21371 @var{n}th template argument.
21372
21373 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
21374 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
21375
21376 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21377 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21378 @end defmethod
21379 @end table
21380
21381
21382 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
21383 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
21384 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
21385
21386 @table @code
21387 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
21388 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
21389 @item TYPE_CODE_PTR
21390 The type is a pointer.
21391
21392 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21393 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21394 @item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21395 The type is an array.
21396
21397 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21398 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21399 @item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21400 The type is a structure.
21401
21402 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
21403 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
21404 @item TYPE_CODE_UNION
21405 The type is a union.
21406
21407 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21408 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21409 @item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21410 The type is an enum.
21411
21412 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21413 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21414 @item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21415 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
21416
21417 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21418 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21419 @item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21420 The type is a function.
21421
21422 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
21423 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
21424 @item TYPE_CODE_INT
21425 The type is an integer type.
21426
21427 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
21428 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
21429 @item TYPE_CODE_FLT
21430 A floating point type.
21431
21432 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
21433 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
21434 @item TYPE_CODE_VOID
21435 The special type @code{void}.
21436
21437 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
21438 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
21439 @item TYPE_CODE_SET
21440 A Pascal set type.
21441
21442 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21443 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21444 @item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21445 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
21446
21447 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
21448 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
21449 @item TYPE_CODE_STRING
21450 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
21451 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
21452
21453 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21454 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21455 @item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21456 A string of bits.
21457
21458 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21459 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21460 @item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21461 An unknown or erroneous type.
21462
21463 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21464 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21465 @item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21466 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
21467
21468 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21469 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21470 @item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21471 A pointer-to-member-function.
21472
21473 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21474 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21475 @item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21476 A pointer-to-member.
21477
21478 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
21479 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
21480 @item TYPE_CODE_REF
21481 A reference type.
21482
21483 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21484 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21485 @item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21486 A character type.
21487
21488 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21489 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21490 @item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21491 A boolean type.
21492
21493 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21494 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21495 @item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21496 A complex float type.
21497
21498 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21499 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21500 @item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21501 A typedef to some other type.
21502
21503 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21504 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21505 @item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21506 A C@t{++} namespace.
21507
21508 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21509 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21510 @item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21511 A decimal floating point type.
21512
21513 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21514 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21515 @item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21516 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
21517 convenience functions.
21518 @end table
21519
21520 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
21521 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
21522
21523 @node Pretty Printing API
21524 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
21525
21526 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
21527
21528 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
21529 specific interface, defined here.
21530
21531 @defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
21532 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
21533 children of the pretty-printer's value.
21534
21535 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
21536 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
21537 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
21538 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
21539 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
21540
21541 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
21542 as though the value has no children.
21543 @end defop
21544
21545 @defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
21546 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
21547 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
21548 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
21549 printed.
21550
21551 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
21552 string.
21553
21554 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
21555
21556 @table @samp
21557 @item array
21558 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
21559 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
21560 @code{set print array}.
21561
21562 @item map
21563 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
21564 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
21565 values.
21566
21567 @item string
21568 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
21569 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
21570 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
21571 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
21572 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
21573 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
21574 @end table
21575 @end defop
21576
21577 @defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
21578 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
21579 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
21580
21581 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
21582 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
21583 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
21584 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
21585 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
21586 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
21587 the result of @code{children}.
21588
21589 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
21590
21591 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
21592 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
21593 another pretty-printer.
21594
21595 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
21596 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
21597 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
21598 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
21599 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
21600
21601 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
21602 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
21603
21604 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
21605 @end defop
21606
21607 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
21608 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
21609
21610 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
21611 @defun default_visualizer value
21612 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
21613 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
21614 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
21615 @end defun
21616
21617 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
21618 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
21619
21620 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
21621 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
21622 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
21623 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
21624 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
21625 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
21626 attribute.
21627
21628 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
21629 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
21630 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
21631 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
21632 @code{None}.
21633
21634 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
21635 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
21636 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
21637 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
21638 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
21639 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
21640 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
21641 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
21642 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
21643 object is returned.
21644
21645 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
21646 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
21647 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
21648 object is returned.
21649
21650 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
21651 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
21652 the pretty-printer is out of date.
21653
21654 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
21655 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
21656 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
21657 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
21658 with a broken printer.
21659
21660 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
21661 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
21662 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
21663 the printer is enabled.
21664
21665 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
21666 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
21667 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
21668
21669 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
21670 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
21671
21672 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
21673 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
21674 must provide.
21675
21676 @smallexample
21677 class StdStringPrinter(object):
21678 "Print a std::string"
21679
21680 def __init__(self, val):
21681 self.val = val
21682
21683 def to_string(self):
21684 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
21685
21686 def display_hint(self):
21687 return 'string'
21688 @end smallexample
21689
21690 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
21691 example above might be written.
21692
21693 @smallexample
21694 def str_lookup_function(val):
21695 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
21696 if lookup_tag == None:
21697 return None
21698 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
21699 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
21700 return StdStringPrinter(val)
21701 return None
21702 @end smallexample
21703
21704 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
21705 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
21706 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
21707 returns @code{None}.
21708
21709 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
21710 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
21711 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
21712 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
21713 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
21714 different names.
21715
21716 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
21717 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
21718 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
21719 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
21720 the current objfile.
21721
21722 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
21723 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
21724 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
21725 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
21726 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
21727 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
21728 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
21729 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
21730 inferior.
21731
21732 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
21733 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
21734
21735 @smallexample
21736 def register_printers(objfile):
21737 objfile.pretty_printers.add(str_lookup_function)
21738 @end smallexample
21739
21740 @noindent
21741 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
21742
21743 @smallexample
21744 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
21745 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
21746 @end smallexample
21747
21748 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
21749 There are a few things that can be improved on.
21750 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
21751 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
21752 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
21753
21754 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
21755 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
21756 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
21757 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
21758 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
21759 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
21760
21761 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
21762 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
21763 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
21764
21765 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
21766
21767 @smallexample
21768 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
21769 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
21770 @end smallexample
21771
21772 Here are the printers:
21773
21774 @smallexample
21775 class fooPrinter:
21776 """Print a foo object."""
21777
21778 def __init__(self, val):
21779 self.val = val
21780
21781 def to_string(self):
21782 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
21783 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
21784
21785 class barPrinter:
21786 """Print a bar object."""
21787
21788 def __init__(self, val):
21789 self.val = val
21790
21791 def to_string(self):
21792 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
21793 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
21794 @end smallexample
21795
21796 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
21797 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
21798 the object that handles the lookup.
21799
21800 @smallexample
21801 import gdb.printing
21802
21803 def build_pretty_printer():
21804 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
21805 "my_library")
21806 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
21807 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
21808 return pp
21809 @end smallexample
21810
21811 And here is the autoload support:
21812
21813 @smallexample
21814 import gdb.printing
21815 import my_library
21816 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
21817 gdb.current_objfile(),
21818 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
21819 @end smallexample
21820
21821 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
21822 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
21823
21824 @smallexample
21825 (gdb) info pretty-printer
21826 my_library.so:
21827 my_library
21828 foo
21829 bar
21830 @end smallexample
21831
21832 @node Inferiors In Python
21833 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
21834 @cindex inferiors in python
21835
21836 @findex gdb.Inferior
21837 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
21838 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
21839 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
21840 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
21841
21842 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21843 module:
21844
21845 @defun inferiors
21846 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
21847 @end defun
21848
21849 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
21850
21851 @table @code
21852 @defivar Inferior num
21853 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
21854 @end defivar
21855
21856 @defivar Inferior pid
21857 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
21858 system.
21859 @end defivar
21860
21861 @defivar Inferior was_attached
21862 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
21863 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
21864 @end defivar
21865 @end table
21866
21867 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
21868
21869 @table @code
21870 @defmethod Inferior threads
21871 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
21872 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
21873 return an empty tuple.
21874 @end defmethod
21875
21876 @findex gdb.read_memory
21877 @defmethod Inferior read_memory address length
21878 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
21879 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
21880 or a string. It can be modified and given to the @code{gdb.write_memory}
21881 function.
21882 @end defmethod
21883
21884 @findex gdb.write_memory
21885 @defmethod Inferior write_memory address buffer @r{[}length@r{]}
21886 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
21887 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
21888 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
21889 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
21890 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
21891 @end defmethod
21892
21893 @findex gdb.search_memory
21894 @defmethod Inferior search_memory address length pattern
21895 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
21896 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
21897 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
21898 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
21899 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
21900 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
21901 the pattern could not be found.
21902 @end defmethod
21903 @end table
21904
21905 @node Threads In Python
21906 @subsubsection Threads In Python
21907 @cindex threads in python
21908
21909 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
21910 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
21911 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
21912
21913 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21914 module:
21915
21916 @findex gdb.selected_thread
21917 @defun selected_thread
21918 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
21919 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
21920 @end defun
21921
21922 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
21923
21924 @table @code
21925 @defivar InferiorThread num
21926 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
21927 @end defivar
21928
21929 @defivar InferiorThread ptid
21930 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
21931 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
21932 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
21933 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
21934 does not use that identifier.
21935 @end defivar
21936 @end table
21937
21938 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
21939
21940 @table @code
21941 @defmethod InferiorThread switch
21942 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
21943 by this object.
21944 @end defmethod
21945
21946 @defmethod InferiorThread is_stopped
21947 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
21948 @end defmethod
21949
21950 @defmethod InferiorThread is_running
21951 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
21952 @end defmethod
21953
21954 @defmethod InferiorThread is_exited
21955 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
21956 @end defmethod
21957 @end table
21958
21959 @node Commands In Python
21960 @subsubsection Commands In Python
21961
21962 @cindex commands in python
21963 @cindex python commands
21964 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
21965 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
21966 class, most commonly using a subclass.
21967
21968 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
21969 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
21970 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
21971 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
21972
21973 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
21974 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
21975 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
21976 an exception is raised.
21977
21978 There is no support for multi-line commands.
21979
21980 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
21981 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
21982 new command in the help system.
21983
21984 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
21985 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
21986 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
21987 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
21988 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
21989 error will occur when completion is attempted.
21990
21991 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
21992 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
21993 registered.
21994
21995 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
21996 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
21997 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
21998 not documented.'' is used.
21999 @end defmethod
22000
22001 @cindex don't repeat Python command
22002 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
22003 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
22004 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
22005 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
22006 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
22007 @end defmethod
22008
22009 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
22010 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
22011
22012 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
22013 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
22014
22015 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
22016 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
22017 that the command came from elsewhere.
22018
22019 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
22020 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
22021
22022 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
22023 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
22024 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
22025 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
22026 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
22027 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
22028 Example:
22029
22030 @smallexample
22031 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
22032 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
22033 @end smallexample
22034
22035 @end defmethod
22036
22037 @cindex completion of Python commands
22038 @defmethod Command complete text word
22039 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
22040 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
22041 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
22042 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
22043 complete}).
22044
22045 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
22046 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
22047 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
22048 using a word-breaking heuristic.
22049
22050 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
22051 @itemize @bullet
22052 @item
22053 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
22054 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
22055 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
22056 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
22057 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
22058 sequence are ignored.
22059
22060 @item
22061 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
22062 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
22063 function is invoked, and its result is used.
22064
22065 @item
22066 All other results are treated as though there were no available
22067 completions.
22068 @end itemize
22069 @end defmethod
22070
22071 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
22072 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
22073 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
22074 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
22075 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
22076 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22077
22078 @table @code
22079 @findex COMMAND_NONE
22080 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
22081 @item COMMAND_NONE
22082 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
22083 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
22084
22085 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
22086 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
22087 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
22088 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
22089 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
22090 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22091 commands in this category.
22092
22093 @findex COMMAND_DATA
22094 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
22095 @item COMMAND_DATA
22096 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
22097 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
22098 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
22099 in this category.
22100
22101 @findex COMMAND_STACK
22102 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
22103 @item COMMAND_STACK
22104 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
22105 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
22106 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
22107 list of commands in this category.
22108
22109 @findex COMMAND_FILES
22110 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
22111 @item COMMAND_FILES
22112 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
22113 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
22114 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22115 commands in this category.
22116
22117 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
22118 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
22119 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
22120 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
22121 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
22122 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
22123 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
22124 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22125 commands in this category.
22126
22127 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
22128 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
22129 @item COMMAND_STATUS
22130 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
22131 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
22132 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
22133 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
22134
22135 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22136 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22137 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22138 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
22139 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22140 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
22141 this category.
22142
22143 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22144 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22145 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22146 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
22147 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
22148 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22149 commands in this category.
22150
22151 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
22152 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
22153 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
22154 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
22155 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
22156 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22157 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
22158 category.
22159
22160 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22161 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22162 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22163 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
22164 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
22165 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22166 commands in this category.
22167 @end table
22168
22169 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
22170 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
22171 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
22172 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22173
22174 @table @code
22175 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
22176 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
22177 @item COMPLETE_NONE
22178 This constant means that no completion should be done.
22179
22180 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
22181 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
22182 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
22183 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
22184
22185 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
22186 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
22187 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
22188 This constant means that location completion should be done.
22189 @xref{Specify Location}.
22190
22191 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
22192 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
22193 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
22194 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
22195 command names.
22196
22197 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22198 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22199 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22200 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
22201 as the source.
22202 @end table
22203
22204 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
22205 implemented in Python:
22206
22207 @smallexample
22208 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
22209 """Greet the whole world."""
22210
22211 def __init__ (self):
22212 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
22213
22214 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
22215 print "Hello, World!"
22216
22217 HelloWorld ()
22218 @end smallexample
22219
22220 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22221 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22222 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22223 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
22224
22225 @node Parameters In Python
22226 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
22227
22228 @cindex parameters in python
22229 @cindex python parameters
22230 @tindex gdb.Parameter
22231 @tindex Parameter
22232 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
22233 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
22234 class.
22235
22236 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
22237 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
22238
22239 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
22240 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
22241 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
22242 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
22243 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
22244
22245 @defmethod Parameter __init__ name @var{command-class} @var{parameter-class} @r{[}@var{enum-sequence}@r{]}
22246 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
22247 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
22248 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
22249
22250 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
22251 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
22252 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
22253 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
22254 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
22255 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
22256 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
22257
22258 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
22259 can be found, an exception is raised.
22260
22261 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
22262 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
22263 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
22264
22265 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
22266 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
22267 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
22268 completion.
22269
22270 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
22271 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
22272 represent the possible values for the parameter.
22273
22274 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
22275 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
22276
22277 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
22278 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
22279 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
22280 @end defmethod
22281
22282 @defivar Parameter set_doc
22283 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22284 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
22285 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22286 have no effect.
22287 @end defivar
22288
22289 @defivar Parameter show_doc
22290 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22291 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
22292 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22293 have no effect.
22294 @end defivar
22295
22296 @defivar Parameter value
22297 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
22298 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
22299 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
22300 @end defivar
22301
22302
22303 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
22304 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
22305 module:
22306
22307 @table @code
22308 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
22309 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
22310 @item PARAM_BOOLEAN
22311 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
22312 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
22313
22314 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22315 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22316 @item PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22317 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
22318 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
22319 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
22320
22321 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
22322 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
22323 @item PARAM_UINTEGER
22324 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
22325 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
22326
22327 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
22328 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
22329 @item PARAM_INTEGER
22330 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
22331 to mean ``unlimited''.
22332
22333 @findex PARAM_STRING
22334 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
22335 @item PARAM_STRING
22336 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
22337 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
22338 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
22339 host charset.
22340
22341 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22342 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22343 @item PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22344 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
22345 passed through untranslated.
22346
22347 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22348 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22349 @item PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22350 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
22351
22352 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
22353 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
22354 @item PARAM_FILENAME
22355 The value is a filename. This is just like
22356 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
22357
22358 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
22359 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
22360 @item PARAM_ZINTEGER
22361 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
22362 is interpreted as itself.
22363
22364 @findex PARAM_ENUM
22365 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
22366 @item PARAM_ENUM
22367 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
22368 constants provided when the parameter is created.
22369 @end table
22370
22371 @node Functions In Python
22372 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
22373
22374 @cindex writing convenience functions
22375 @cindex convenience functions in python
22376 @cindex python convenience functions
22377 @tindex gdb.Function
22378 @tindex Function
22379 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
22380 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
22381 class @code{gdb.Function}.
22382
22383 @defmethod Function __init__ name
22384 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
22385 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
22386 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
22387 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
22388 the given @var{name}.
22389
22390 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
22391 string for the new class.
22392 @end defmethod
22393
22394 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
22395 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
22396 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
22397 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
22398 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
22399 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
22400 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
22401 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
22402
22403 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
22404 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
22405 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
22406 @end defmethod
22407
22408 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
22409 be implemented in Python:
22410
22411 @smallexample
22412 class Greet (gdb.Function):
22413 """Return string to greet someone.
22414 Takes a name as argument."""
22415
22416 def __init__ (self):
22417 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
22418
22419 def invoke (self, name):
22420 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
22421
22422 Greet ()
22423 @end smallexample
22424
22425 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22426 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22427 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22428 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
22429
22430 @node Progspaces In Python
22431 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
22432
22433 @cindex progspaces in python
22434 @tindex gdb.Progspace
22435 @tindex Progspace
22436 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
22437 of an address space.
22438 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
22439 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22440 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
22441 about program spaces.
22442
22443 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
22444 @code{gdb} module:
22445
22446 @findex gdb.current_progspace
22447 @defun current_progspace
22448 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
22449 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
22450 @end defun
22451
22452 @findex gdb.progspaces
22453 @defun progspaces
22454 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
22455 @end defun
22456
22457 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
22458 class.
22459
22460 @defivar Progspace filename
22461 The file name of the progspace as a string.
22462 @end defivar
22463
22464 @defivar Progspace pretty_printers
22465 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22466 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22467 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22468 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22469 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22470 information.
22471 @end defivar
22472
22473 @node Objfiles In Python
22474 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
22475
22476 @cindex objfiles in python
22477 @tindex gdb.Objfile
22478 @tindex Objfile
22479 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
22480 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
22481 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
22482 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
22483 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
22484
22485 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
22486 @code{gdb} module:
22487
22488 @findex gdb.current_objfile
22489 @defun current_objfile
22490 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
22491 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
22492 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
22493 this function returns @code{None}.
22494 @end defun
22495
22496 @findex gdb.objfiles
22497 @defun objfiles
22498 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
22499 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22500 @end defun
22501
22502 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
22503 class.
22504
22505 @defivar Objfile filename
22506 The file name of the objfile as a string.
22507 @end defivar
22508
22509 @defivar Objfile pretty_printers
22510 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22511 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22512 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22513 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22514 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22515 information.
22516 @end defivar
22517
22518 @node Frames In Python
22519 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
22520
22521 @cindex frames in python
22522 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
22523 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
22524 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
22525 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
22526 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
22527 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
22528
22529 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
22530 operator, like:
22531
22532 @smallexample
22533 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
22534 True
22535 @end smallexample
22536
22537 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
22538
22539 @findex gdb.selected_frame
22540 @defun selected_frame
22541 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
22542 @end defun
22543
22544 @findex gdb.newest_frame
22545 @defun newest_frame
22546 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
22547 @end defun
22548
22549 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
22550 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
22551 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
22552 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
22553 @end defun
22554
22555 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
22556
22557 @table @code
22558 @defmethod Frame is_valid
22559 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
22560 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
22561 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
22562 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22563 @end defmethod
22564
22565 @defmethod Frame name
22566 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
22567 obtained.
22568 @end defmethod
22569
22570 @defmethod Frame type
22571 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
22572 @table @code
22573 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
22574 An ordinary stack frame.
22575
22576 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
22577 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
22578 inferior function call.
22579
22580 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
22581 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
22582 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
22583
22584 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
22585 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
22586 it calls into a signal handler.
22587
22588 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
22589 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
22590
22591 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
22592 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
22593 newest frame.
22594 @end table
22595 @end defmethod
22596
22597 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
22598 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
22599 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
22600 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
22601 function to a string.
22602 @end defmethod
22603
22604 @defmethod Frame pc
22605 Returns the frame's resume address.
22606 @end defmethod
22607
22608 @defmethod Frame block
22609 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
22610 @end defmethod
22611
22612 @defmethod Frame function
22613 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
22614 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
22615 @end defmethod
22616
22617 @defmethod Frame older
22618 Return the frame that called this frame.
22619 @end defmethod
22620
22621 @defmethod Frame newer
22622 Return the frame called by this frame.
22623 @end defmethod
22624
22625 @defmethod Frame find_sal
22626 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
22627 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
22628 @end defmethod
22629
22630 @defmethod Frame read_var variable @r{[}block@r{]}
22631 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
22632 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
22633 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
22634 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
22635 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
22636 @code{gdb.Block} object.
22637 @end defmethod
22638
22639 @defmethod Frame select
22640 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
22641 Stack}.
22642 @end defmethod
22643 @end table
22644
22645 @node Blocks In Python
22646 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
22647
22648 @cindex blocks in python
22649 @tindex gdb.Block
22650
22651 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
22652 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
22653 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
22654 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
22655 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
22656 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
22657 stack.
22658
22659 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22660 module:
22661
22662 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
22663 @defun block_for_pc pc
22664 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
22665 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
22666 will return @code{None}.
22667 @end defun
22668
22669 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
22670
22671 @table @code
22672 @defivar Block start
22673 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
22674 @end defivar
22675
22676 @defivar Block end
22677 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
22678 @end defivar
22679
22680 @defivar Block function
22681 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
22682 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
22683 attribute is not writable.
22684 @end defivar
22685
22686 @defivar Block superblock
22687 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
22688 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
22689 @end defivar
22690 @end table
22691
22692 @node Symbols In Python
22693 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
22694
22695 @cindex symbols in python
22696 @tindex gdb.Symbol
22697
22698 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
22699 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
22700 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
22701 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
22702
22703 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22704 module:
22705
22706 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
22707 @defun lookup_symbol name [block] [domain]
22708 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
22709 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
22710 arguments.
22711
22712 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
22713 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
22714 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
22715 @code{gdb.Block} object. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
22716 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
22717 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
22718 in this chapter.
22719 @end defun
22720
22721 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
22722
22723 @table @code
22724 @defivar Symbol symtab
22725 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
22726 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
22727 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
22728 @end defivar
22729
22730 @defivar Symbol name
22731 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
22732 @end defivar
22733
22734 @defivar Symbol linkage_name
22735 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
22736 This attribute is not writable.
22737 @end defivar
22738
22739 @defivar Symbol print_name
22740 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
22741 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
22742 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
22743 @end defivar
22744
22745 @defivar Symbol addr_class
22746 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
22747 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
22748 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
22749 @end defivar
22750
22751 @defivar Symbol is_argument
22752 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
22753 @end defivar
22754
22755 @defivar Symbol is_constant
22756 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
22757 @end defivar
22758
22759 @defivar Symbol is_function
22760 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
22761 @end defivar
22762
22763 @defivar Symbol is_variable
22764 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
22765 @end defivar
22766 @end table
22767
22768 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
22769 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
22770
22771 @table @code
22772 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
22773 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
22774 @item SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
22775 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
22776 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
22777 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
22778 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
22779 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
22780 @item SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
22781 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
22782 type values.
22783 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
22784 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
22785 @item SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
22786 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
22787 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
22788 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
22789 @item SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
22790 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
22791 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
22792 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
22793 @item SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
22794 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
22795 contains everything minus functions and types.
22796 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
22797 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
22798 @item SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
22799 This domain contains all functions.
22800 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
22801 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
22802 @item SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
22803 This domain contains all types.
22804 @end table
22805
22806 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
22807 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
22808
22809 @table @code
22810 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
22811 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
22812 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
22813 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
22814 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
22815 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
22816 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
22817 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
22818 Value is constant int.
22819 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
22820 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
22821 @item SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
22822 Value is at a fixed address.
22823 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
22824 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
22825 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
22826 Value is in a register.
22827 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
22828 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
22829 @item SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
22830 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
22831 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
22832 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
22833 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
22834 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
22835 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
22836 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
22837 offset, not the value itself.
22838 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
22839 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
22840 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
22841 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
22842 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
22843 itself.
22844 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
22845 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
22846 @item SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
22847 Value is a local variable.
22848 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
22849 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
22850 @item SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
22851 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
22852 have this class.
22853 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
22854 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
22855 @item SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
22856 Value is a block.
22857 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
22858 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
22859 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
22860 Value is a byte-sequence.
22861 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
22862 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
22863 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
22864 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
22865 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
22866 referenced.
22867 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
22868 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
22869 @item SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
22870 The value does not actually exist in the program.
22871 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
22872 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
22873 @item SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
22874 The value's address is a computed location.
22875 @end table
22876
22877 @node Symbol Tables In Python
22878 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
22879
22880 @cindex symbol tables in python
22881 @tindex gdb.Symtab
22882 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
22883
22884 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
22885 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
22886 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
22887 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
22888 @xref{Frames In Python}.
22889
22890 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
22891 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
22892
22893 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
22894
22895 @table @code
22896 @defivar Symtab_and_line symtab
22897 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
22898 This attribute is not writable.
22899 @end defivar
22900
22901 @defivar Symtab_and_line pc
22902 Indicates the current program counter address. This attribute is not
22903 writable.
22904 @end defivar
22905
22906 @defivar Symtab_and_line line
22907 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
22908 attribute is not writable.
22909 @end defivar
22910 @end table
22911
22912 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
22913
22914 @table @code
22915 @defivar Symtab filename
22916 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
22917 @end defivar
22918
22919 @defivar Symtab objfile
22920 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22921 This attribute is not writable.
22922 @end defivar
22923 @end table
22924
22925 The following methods are provided:
22926
22927 @table @code
22928 @defmethod Symtab fullname
22929 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
22930 @end defmethod
22931 @end table
22932
22933 @node Breakpoints In Python
22934 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
22935
22936 @cindex breakpoints in python
22937 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
22938
22939 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
22940 class.
22941
22942 @defmethod Breakpoint __init__ spec @r{[}type@r{]} @r{[}wp_class@r{]} @r{[}internal@r{]}
22943 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
22944 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
22945 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
22946 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
22947 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
22948 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
22949 either: @code{BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
22950 defaults to @code{BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
22951 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
22952 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
22953 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
22954 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
22955 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
22956 @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
22957 assumed to be a @var{WP_WRITE} class.
22958 @end defmethod
22959
22960 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
22961 @code{gdb} module:
22962
22963 @table @code
22964 @findex WP_READ
22965 @findex gdb.WP_READ
22966 @item WP_READ
22967 Read only watchpoint.
22968
22969 @findex WP_WRITE
22970 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
22971 @item WP_WRITE
22972 Write only watchpoint.
22973
22974 @findex WP_ACCESS
22975 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
22976 @item WP_ACCESS
22977 Read/Write watchpoint.
22978 @end table
22979
22980 @defmethod Breakpoint is_valid
22981 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
22982 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
22983 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
22984 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
22985 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
22986 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
22987 @end defmethod
22988
22989 @defmethod Breakpoint delete
22990 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
22991 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
22992 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
22993 @end defmethod
22994
22995 @defivar Breakpoint enabled
22996 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
22997 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
22998 @end defivar
22999
23000 @defivar Breakpoint silent
23001 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
23002 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
23003
23004 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
23005 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
23006 @code{silent} attribute.
23007 @end defivar
23008
23009 @defivar Breakpoint thread
23010 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
23011 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
23012 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
23013 @end defivar
23014
23015 @defivar Breakpoint task
23016 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
23017 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
23018 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
23019 is writable.
23020 @end defivar
23021
23022 @defivar Breakpoint ignore_count
23023 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
23024 This attribute is writable.
23025 @end defivar
23026
23027 @defivar Breakpoint number
23028 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
23029 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
23030 @end defivar
23031
23032 @defivar Breakpoint type
23033 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
23034 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
23035 writable.
23036 @end defivar
23037
23038 @defivar Breakpoint visible
23039 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
23040 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
23041 attribute is not writable.
23042 @end defivar
23043
23044 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
23045 module:
23046
23047 @table @code
23048 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
23049 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
23050 @item BP_BREAKPOINT
23051 Normal code breakpoint.
23052
23053 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
23054 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
23055 @item BP_WATCHPOINT
23056 Watchpoint breakpoint.
23057
23058 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23059 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23060 @item BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23061 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
23062
23063 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23064 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23065 @item BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23066 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
23067
23068 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23069 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23070 @item BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23071 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
23072 @end table
23073
23074 @defivar Breakpoint hit_count
23075 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
23076 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
23077 @end defivar
23078
23079 @defivar Breakpoint location
23080 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
23081 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
23082 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
23083 attribute is not writable.
23084 @end defivar
23085
23086 @defivar Breakpoint expression
23087 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
23088 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
23089 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
23090 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23091 @end defivar
23092
23093 @defivar Breakpoint condition
23094 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
23095 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
23096 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
23097 @end defivar
23098
23099 @defivar Breakpoint commands
23100 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
23101 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
23102 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
23103 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23104 @end defivar
23105
23106 @node Lazy Strings In Python
23107 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
23108
23109 @cindex lazy strings in python
23110 @tindex gdb.LazyString
23111
23112 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
23113 encoded until it is needed.
23114
23115 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
23116 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
23117 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
23118 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
23119 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
23120 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
23121 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
23122 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
23123 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
23124
23125 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
23126
23127 @defmethod LazyString value
23128 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
23129 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
23130 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
23131 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
23132 @end defmethod
23133
23134 @defivar LazyString address
23135 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
23136 writable.
23137 @end defivar
23138
23139 @defivar LazyString length
23140 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
23141 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
23142 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
23143 @end defivar
23144
23145 @defivar LazyString encoding
23146 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
23147 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
23148 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
23149 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
23150 is not writable.
23151 @end defivar
23152
23153 @defivar LazyString type
23154 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
23155 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
23156 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
23157 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
23158 writable.
23159 @end defivar
23160
23161 @node Auto-loading
23162 @subsection Auto-loading
23163 @cindex auto-loading, Python
23164
23165 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
23166 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
23167 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
23168 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
23169
23170 @menu
23171 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23172 * .debug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23173 * Which flavor to choose?::
23174 @end menu
23175
23176 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
23177 debugging commands and scripts.
23178
23179 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled.
23180
23181 @table @code
23182 @kindex set auto-load-scripts
23183 @item set auto-load-scripts [yes|no]
23184 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
23185
23186 @kindex show auto-load-scripts
23187 @item show auto-load-scripts
23188 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
23189 @end table
23190
23191 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
23192 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
23193 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
23194 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
23195
23196 @node objfile-gdb.py file
23197 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23198 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
23199
23200 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
23201 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
23202 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
23203 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
23204 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
23205 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
23206
23207 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
23208 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
23209 then @value{GDBN} will look for @var{real-name} in all of the
23210 directories mentioned in the value of @code{debug-file-directory}.
23211
23212 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
23213 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
23214 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
23215 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
23216 is the object file's real name, as described above.
23217
23218 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
23219 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
23220 @var{objfile} is opened.
23221 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
23222 is evaluated more than once.
23223
23224 @node .debug_gdb_scripts section
23225 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23226 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23227
23228 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
23229 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
23230 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
23231 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
23232
23233 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
23234 current directory and then along the source search path
23235 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
23236 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
23237 directory is not relevant to scripts.
23238
23239 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
23240 for example, this GCC macro:
23241
23242 @example
23243 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
23244 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
23245 asm("\
23246 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
23247 .byte 1\n\
23248 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
23249 .popsection \n\
23250 ");
23251 @end example
23252
23253 @noindent
23254 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
23255
23256 @example
23257 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
23258 @end example
23259
23260 The script name may include directories if desired.
23261
23262 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
23263 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
23264
23265 @node Which flavor to choose?
23266 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
23267
23268 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
23269 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
23270
23271 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
23272
23273 @itemize @bullet
23274 @item
23275 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
23276
23277 @item
23278 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
23279
23280 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
23281 in the source search path.
23282 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
23283 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
23284
23285 @item
23286 Doesn't require source code additions.
23287 @end itemize
23288
23289 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
23290
23291 @itemize @bullet
23292 @item
23293 Works with static linking.
23294
23295 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
23296 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
23297 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
23298 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
23299
23300 @item
23301 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
23302
23303 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
23304 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
23305
23306 @item
23307 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
23308
23309 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
23310 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
23311 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
23312 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
23313 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
23314 top of the source tree to the source search path.
23315 @end itemize
23316
23317 @node Python modules
23318 @subsection Python modules
23319 @cindex python modules
23320
23321 @value{GDBN} comes with a module to assist writing Python code.
23322
23323 @menu
23324 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
23325 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
23326 @end menu
23327
23328 @node gdb.printing
23329 @subsubsection gdb.printing
23330 @cindex gdb.printing
23331
23332 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23333 pretty-printers.
23334
23335 @table @code
23336 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
23337 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
23338 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
23339 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
23340
23341 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23342 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
23343 corresponding API for the subprinters.
23344
23345 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23346 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
23347 regular expressions.
23348 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
23349
23350 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer})
23351 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
23352 @end table
23353
23354 @node gdb.types
23355 @subsubsection gdb.types
23356 @cindex gdb.types
23357
23358 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23359 @code{gdb.Types} objects.
23360
23361 @table @code
23362 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
23363 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
23364 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
23365
23366 C@t{++} example:
23367
23368 @smallexample
23369 typedef const int const_int;
23370 const_int foo (3);
23371 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
23372 int main () @{ return 0; @}
23373 @end smallexample
23374
23375 Then in gdb:
23376
23377 @smallexample
23378 (gdb) start
23379 (gdb) python import gdb.types
23380 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
23381 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
23382 int
23383 @end smallexample
23384
23385 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
23386 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
23387 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
23388
23389 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
23390 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
23391 @end table
23392
23393 @node Interpreters
23394 @chapter Command Interpreters
23395 @cindex command interpreters
23396
23397 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
23398 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
23399 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
23400
23401 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
23402 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
23403 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
23404 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
23405
23406 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
23407 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
23408 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
23409 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
23410
23411 @table @code
23412 @item console
23413 @cindex console interpreter
23414 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
23415 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
23416 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
23417
23418 @item mi
23419 @cindex mi interpreter
23420 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
23421 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
23422 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
23423 Interface}.
23424
23425 @item mi2
23426 @cindex mi2 interpreter
23427 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
23428
23429 @item mi1
23430 @cindex mi1 interpreter
23431 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
23432
23433 @end table
23434
23435 @cindex invoke another interpreter
23436 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
23437 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
23438 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
23439 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
23440 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
23441 the IDE inoperable!
23442
23443 @kindex interpreter-exec
23444 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
23445 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
23446 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
23447 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
23448
23449 @smallexample
23450 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
23451 @end smallexample
23452
23453 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
23454 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
23455
23456 @node TUI
23457 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
23458 @cindex TUI
23459 @cindex Text User Interface
23460
23461 @menu
23462 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
23463 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
23464 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
23465 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
23466 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
23467 @end menu
23468
23469 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
23470 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
23471 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
23472 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
23473 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
23474 is available.
23475
23476 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
23477 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
23478 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
23479 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
23480 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
23481 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
23482
23483 @node TUI Overview
23484 @section TUI Overview
23485
23486 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
23487
23488 @table @emph
23489 @item command
23490 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
23491 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
23492 managed using readline.
23493
23494 @item source
23495 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
23496 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
23497
23498 @item assembly
23499 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
23500
23501 @item register
23502 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
23503 when their values change.
23504 @end table
23505
23506 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
23507 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
23508 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
23509 indicates the breakpoint type:
23510
23511 @table @code
23512 @item B
23513 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
23514
23515 @item b
23516 Breakpoint which was never hit.
23517
23518 @item H
23519 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
23520
23521 @item h
23522 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
23523 @end table
23524
23525 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
23526
23527 @table @code
23528 @item +
23529 Breakpoint is enabled.
23530
23531 @item -
23532 Breakpoint is disabled.
23533 @end table
23534
23535 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
23536 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
23537 changes.
23538
23539 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
23540 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
23541 layouts:
23542
23543 @itemize @bullet
23544 @item
23545 source only,
23546
23547 @item
23548 assembly only,
23549
23550 @item
23551 source and assembly,
23552
23553 @item
23554 source and registers, or
23555
23556 @item
23557 assembly and registers.
23558 @end itemize
23559
23560 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
23561
23562 @table @emph
23563 @item target
23564 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
23565 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
23566
23567 @item process
23568 Gives the current process or thread number.
23569 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
23570
23571 @item function
23572 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
23573 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
23574 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
23575 the string @code{??} is displayed.
23576
23577 @item line
23578 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
23579 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
23580
23581 @item pc
23582 Indicates the current program counter address.
23583 @end table
23584
23585 @node TUI Keys
23586 @section TUI Key Bindings
23587 @cindex TUI key bindings
23588
23589 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
23590 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
23591 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
23592 @end ifset
23593 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
23594 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
23595 @end ifclear
23596 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
23597 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
23598
23599 @table @kbd
23600 @kindex C-x C-a
23601 @item C-x C-a
23602 @kindex C-x a
23603 @itemx C-x a
23604 @kindex C-x A
23605 @itemx C-x A
23606 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
23607 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
23608 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
23609 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
23610 The screen is then refreshed.
23611
23612 @kindex C-x 1
23613 @item C-x 1
23614 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
23615 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
23616 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
23617
23618 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
23619
23620 @kindex C-x 2
23621 @item C-x 2
23622 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
23623 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
23624 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
23625 previous layout and the new one.
23626
23627 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
23628
23629 @kindex C-x o
23630 @item C-x o
23631 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
23632 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
23633 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
23634
23635 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
23636
23637 @kindex C-x s
23638 @item C-x s
23639 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
23640 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
23641 @end table
23642
23643 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
23644
23645 @table @asis
23646 @kindex PgUp
23647 @item @key{PgUp}
23648 Scroll the active window one page up.
23649
23650 @kindex PgDn
23651 @item @key{PgDn}
23652 Scroll the active window one page down.
23653
23654 @kindex Up
23655 @item @key{Up}
23656 Scroll the active window one line up.
23657
23658 @kindex Down
23659 @item @key{Down}
23660 Scroll the active window one line down.
23661
23662 @kindex Left
23663 @item @key{Left}
23664 Scroll the active window one column left.
23665
23666 @kindex Right
23667 @item @key{Right}
23668 Scroll the active window one column right.
23669
23670 @kindex C-L
23671 @item @kbd{C-L}
23672 Refresh the screen.
23673 @end table
23674
23675 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
23676 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
23677 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
23678 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
23679 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
23680
23681 @node TUI Single Key Mode
23682 @section TUI Single Key Mode
23683 @cindex TUI single key mode
23684
23685 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
23686 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
23687 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
23688
23689 @table @kbd
23690 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23691 @item c
23692 continue
23693
23694 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23695 @item d
23696 down
23697
23698 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23699 @item f
23700 finish
23701
23702 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23703 @item n
23704 next
23705
23706 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23707 @item q
23708 exit the SingleKey mode.
23709
23710 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23711 @item r
23712 run
23713
23714 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23715 @item s
23716 step
23717
23718 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23719 @item u
23720 up
23721
23722 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23723 @item v
23724 info locals
23725
23726 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23727 @item w
23728 where
23729 @end table
23730
23731 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
23732 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
23733 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
23734 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
23735 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
23736 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
23737
23738
23739 @node TUI Commands
23740 @section TUI-specific Commands
23741 @cindex TUI commands
23742
23743 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
23744 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
23745 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
23746 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
23747
23748 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
23749 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
23750 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
23751 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
23752 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
23753
23754 @table @code
23755 @item info win
23756 @kindex info win
23757 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
23758
23759 @item layout next
23760 @kindex layout
23761 Display the next layout.
23762
23763 @item layout prev
23764 Display the previous layout.
23765
23766 @item layout src
23767 Display the source window only.
23768
23769 @item layout asm
23770 Display the assembly window only.
23771
23772 @item layout split
23773 Display the source and assembly window.
23774
23775 @item layout regs
23776 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
23777
23778 @item focus next
23779 @kindex focus
23780 Make the next window active for scrolling.
23781
23782 @item focus prev
23783 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
23784
23785 @item focus src
23786 Make the source window active for scrolling.
23787
23788 @item focus asm
23789 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
23790
23791 @item focus regs
23792 Make the register window active for scrolling.
23793
23794 @item focus cmd
23795 Make the command window active for scrolling.
23796
23797 @item refresh
23798 @kindex refresh
23799 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
23800
23801 @item tui reg float
23802 @kindex tui reg
23803 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
23804
23805 @item tui reg general
23806 Show the general registers in the register window.
23807
23808 @item tui reg next
23809 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
23810 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
23811 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
23812 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
23813
23814 @item tui reg system
23815 Show the system registers in the register window.
23816
23817 @item update
23818 @kindex update
23819 Update the source window and the current execution point.
23820
23821 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
23822 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
23823 @kindex winheight
23824 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
23825 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
23826 decrease it.
23827
23828 @item tabset @var{nchars}
23829 @kindex tabset
23830 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
23831 @end table
23832
23833 @node TUI Configuration
23834 @section TUI Configuration Variables
23835 @cindex TUI configuration variables
23836
23837 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
23838
23839 @table @code
23840 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
23841 @kindex set tui border-kind
23842 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
23843 The possible values are the following:
23844 @table @code
23845 @item space
23846 Use a space character to draw the border.
23847
23848 @item ascii
23849 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
23850
23851 @item acs
23852 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
23853 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
23854 @end table
23855
23856 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
23857 @kindex set tui border-mode
23858 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
23859 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
23860 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
23861 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
23862 @table @code
23863 @item normal
23864 Use normal attributes to display the border.
23865
23866 @item standout
23867 Use standout mode.
23868
23869 @item reverse
23870 Use reverse video mode.
23871
23872 @item half
23873 Use half bright mode.
23874
23875 @item half-standout
23876 Use half bright and standout mode.
23877
23878 @item bold
23879 Use extra bright or bold mode.
23880
23881 @item bold-standout
23882 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
23883 @end table
23884 @end table
23885
23886 @node Emacs
23887 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
23888
23889 @cindex Emacs
23890 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
23891 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
23892 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
23893 @value{GDBN}.
23894
23895 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
23896 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
23897 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
23898 created Emacs buffer.
23899 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
23900
23901 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
23902 things:
23903
23904 @itemize @bullet
23905 @item
23906 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
23907 the GUD buffer.
23908
23909 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
23910 and output done by the program you are debugging.
23911
23912 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
23913 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
23914 in this way.
23915
23916 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
23917 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
23918 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
23919 stop.
23920
23921 @item
23922 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
23923
23924 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
23925 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
23926 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
23927 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
23928 and the source.
23929
23930 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
23931 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
23932 @end itemize
23933
23934 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
23935 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
23936 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
23937 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
23938
23939 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
23940 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
23941 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
23942 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
23943 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
23944 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
23945 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
23946 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
23947 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
23948
23949 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
23950 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
23951 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
23952 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
23953
23954 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
23955 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
23956 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
23957 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
23958 one you want.
23959
23960 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
23961 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
23962
23963 @table @kbd
23964 @item C-h m
23965 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
23966
23967 @item C-c C-s
23968 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
23969 update the display window to show the current file and location.
23970
23971 @item C-c C-n
23972 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
23973 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
23974 to show the current file and location.
23975
23976 @item C-c C-i
23977 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
23978 display window accordingly.
23979
23980 @item C-c C-f
23981 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
23982 @code{finish} command.
23983
23984 @item C-c C-r
23985 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
23986 command.
23987
23988 @item C-c <
23989 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
23990 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
23991 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
23992
23993 @item C-c >
23994 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
23995 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
23996 @end table
23997
23998 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
23999 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
24000
24001 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
24002 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
24003 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
24004 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
24005 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
24006 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
24007 speedbar displays watch expressions.
24008
24009 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
24010 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
24011 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
24012 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
24013 frame.
24014
24015 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
24016 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
24017 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
24018 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
24019 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
24020 to correspond properly with the code.
24021
24022 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
24023 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
24024 Emacs Manual}).
24025
24026 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
24027 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
24028 @ignore
24029 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
24030 @kindex Epoch
24031 @kindex inspect
24032
24033 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
24034 called the @code{epoch}
24035 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
24036 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
24037 each value is printed in its own window.
24038 @end ignore
24039
24040
24041 @node GDB/MI
24042 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
24043
24044 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
24045
24046 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
24047 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
24048 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
24049 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
24050 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
24051 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
24052
24053 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
24054 in the form of a reference manual.
24055
24056 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
24057 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
24058 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
24059
24060 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
24061
24062 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
24063 This chapter uses the following notation:
24064
24065 @itemize @bullet
24066 @item
24067 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
24068
24069 @item
24070 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
24071 it may or may not be given.
24072
24073 @item
24074 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24075 may repeat zero or more times.
24076
24077 @item
24078 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24079 may repeat one or more times.
24080
24081 @item
24082 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
24083 @end itemize
24084
24085 @ignore
24086 @heading Dependencies
24087 @end ignore
24088
24089 @menu
24090 * GDB/MI General Design::
24091 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
24092 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
24093 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
24094 * GDB/MI Output Records::
24095 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
24096 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
24097 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
24098 * GDB/MI Program Context::
24099 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
24100 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
24101 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
24102 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
24103 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
24104 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
24105 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
24106 * GDB/MI File Commands::
24107 @ignore
24108 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
24109 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
24110 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
24111 @end ignore
24112 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
24113 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
24114 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
24115 @end menu
24116
24117 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24118 @node GDB/MI General Design
24119 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
24120 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
24121
24122 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
24123 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
24124 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
24125 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
24126 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
24127 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
24128 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
24129 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
24130 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
24131 a command and reported as part of that command response.
24132
24133 The important examples of notifications are:
24134 @itemize @bullet
24135
24136 @item
24137 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
24138 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
24139 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
24140 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
24141 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
24142 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
24143 command itself was successfully executed.
24144
24145 @item
24146 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
24147 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
24148 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
24149 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
24150 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
24151 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
24152
24153 @item
24154 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
24155 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
24156 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
24157 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
24158 orthogonal frontend design.
24159
24160 @end itemize
24161
24162 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
24163 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
24164 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
24165 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
24166 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
24167 the user interface.
24168
24169
24170 @menu
24171 * Context management::
24172 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
24173 * Thread groups::
24174 @end menu
24175
24176 @node Context management
24177 @subsection Context management
24178
24179 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
24180 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
24181 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
24182 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
24183 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
24184 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
24185 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
24186 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
24187 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
24188
24189 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
24190 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
24191 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
24192 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
24193 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
24194 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
24195 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
24196 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
24197 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
24198 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
24199 for thread and frame to operate on.
24200
24201 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
24202 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
24203 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
24204 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
24205 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
24206 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
24207 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
24208 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
24209 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
24210 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
24211
24212 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
24213 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
24214 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
24215 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
24216 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
24217 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
24218 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
24219 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
24220 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
24221 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
24222 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
24223 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
24224 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
24225 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
24226 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
24227 @samp{--frame} options.
24228
24229 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
24230 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
24231
24232 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
24233 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
24234 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
24235 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
24236 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
24237 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
24238 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
24239 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
24240 @code{-list-target-features} command.
24241
24242 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
24243 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
24244 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
24245 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
24246 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
24247 are running.
24248
24249 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
24250 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
24251 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
24252 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
24253 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
24254 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
24255 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
24256 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
24257 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
24258 @samp{--thread} option).
24259
24260 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
24261 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
24262 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
24263 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
24264
24265 @node Thread groups
24266 @subsection Thread groups
24267 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
24268 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
24269 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
24270 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
24271 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
24272
24273 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
24274 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
24275 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
24276 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
24277 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
24278 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
24279 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
24280 into processes.
24281
24282 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
24283 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
24284 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
24285 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
24286 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
24287 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
24288 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
24289 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
24290 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
24291 the members of specific thread group.
24292
24293 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
24294 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
24295 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
24296 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
24297 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
24298 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
24299 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
24300 after attaching to that thread group.
24301
24302 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
24303 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
24304 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
24305 such thread groups.
24306
24307 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24308 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
24309 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
24310
24311 @menu
24312 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
24313 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
24314 @end menu
24315
24316 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
24317 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
24318
24319 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
24320 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
24321 @table @code
24322 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
24323 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
24324
24325 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
24326 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
24327 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
24328
24329 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
24330 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
24331 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
24332
24333 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
24334 "any sequence of digits"
24335
24336 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
24337 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
24338
24339 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
24340 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
24341
24342 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
24343 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
24344
24345 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
24346 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
24347 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
24348
24349 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
24350 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
24351
24352 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
24353 @code{CR | CR-LF}
24354 @end table
24355
24356 @noindent
24357 Notes:
24358
24359 @itemize @bullet
24360 @item
24361 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
24362 output is described below.
24363
24364 @item
24365 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
24366 finishes.
24367
24368 @item
24369 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
24370 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
24371 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
24372 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
24373 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
24374 @end itemize
24375
24376 Pragmatics:
24377
24378 @itemize @bullet
24379 @item
24380 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
24381
24382 @item
24383 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
24384 @end itemize
24385
24386 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
24387 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
24388
24389 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
24390 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
24391 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
24392 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
24393 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
24394 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
24395
24396 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
24397 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
24398 @var{token}.
24399
24400 @table @code
24401 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
24402 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
24403
24404 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
24405 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
24406
24407 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
24408 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
24409
24410 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
24411 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
24412
24413 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
24414 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
24415
24416 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
24417 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
24418
24419 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
24420 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
24421
24422 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
24423 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
24424
24425 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
24426 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
24427
24428 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
24429 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
24430 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
24431
24432 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
24433 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
24434
24435 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
24436 @code{ @var{string} }
24437
24438 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
24439 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
24440
24441 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
24442 @code{@var{c-string}}
24443
24444 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
24445 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
24446
24447 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
24448 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
24449 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
24450
24451 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
24452 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
24453
24454 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
24455 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
24456
24457 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
24458 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
24459
24460 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
24461 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
24462
24463 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
24464 @code{CR | CR-LF}
24465
24466 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
24467 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
24468 @end table
24469
24470 @noindent
24471 Notes:
24472
24473 @itemize @bullet
24474 @item
24475 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
24476
24477 @item
24478 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
24479 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
24480 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
24481 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
24482 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
24483 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
24484 prior command.
24485
24486 @item
24487 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24488 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
24489 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
24490 prefixed by @samp{+}.
24491
24492 @item
24493 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24494 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
24495 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
24496 @samp{*}.
24497
24498 @item
24499 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24500 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
24501 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
24502 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
24503
24504 @item
24505 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24506 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
24507 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
24508 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
24509
24510 @item
24511 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24512 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
24513 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
24514
24515 @item
24516 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24517 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
24518 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
24519 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
24520
24521 @item
24522 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24523 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
24524 @var{values}.
24525
24526
24527 @end itemize
24528
24529 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
24530 details about the various output records.
24531
24532 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24533 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
24534 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
24535
24536 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
24537 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
24538
24539 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
24540 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
24541 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
24542 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
24543 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
24544 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
24545
24546 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
24547 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
24548 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
24549
24550 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24551 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
24552 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
24553 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
24554
24555 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
24556 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
24557
24558 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
24559 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
24560 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
24561 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
24562 might change.
24563
24564 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
24565 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
24566 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
24567 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
24568
24569 @itemize @bullet
24570 @item
24571 New MI commands may be added.
24572
24573 @item
24574 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
24575
24576 @item
24577 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
24578 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
24579
24580 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
24581 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
24582
24583 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
24584 @c resolve inconsistencies.
24585 @end itemize
24586
24587 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
24588 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
24589 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
24590 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
24591 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
24592
24593 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
24594 @c version?
24595
24596 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
24597 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
24598 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
24599 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
24600 @cindex mailing lists
24601
24602 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24603 @node GDB/MI Output Records
24604 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
24605
24606 @menu
24607 * GDB/MI Result Records::
24608 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
24609 * GDB/MI Async Records::
24610 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
24611 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
24612 @end menu
24613
24614 @node GDB/MI Result Records
24615 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
24616
24617 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
24618 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
24619 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
24620 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
24621
24622 @table @code
24623 @findex ^done
24624 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
24625 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
24626 values.
24627
24628 @item "^running"
24629 @findex ^running
24630 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
24631 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
24632 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
24633 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
24634 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
24635 which threads are resumed.
24636
24637 @item "^connected"
24638 @findex ^connected
24639 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
24640
24641 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
24642 @findex ^error
24643 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
24644 error message.
24645
24646 @item "^exit"
24647 @findex ^exit
24648 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
24649
24650 @end table
24651
24652 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
24653 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
24654
24655 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
24656 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
24657 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
24658 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
24659 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
24660
24661 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
24662 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
24663 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
24664 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
24665 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
24666
24667 @table @code
24668 @item "~" @var{string-output}
24669 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
24670 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
24671
24672 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
24673 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
24674 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
24675 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
24676
24677 @item "&" @var{string-output}
24678 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
24679 internals.
24680 @end table
24681
24682 @node GDB/MI Async Records
24683 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
24684
24685 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
24686 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
24687 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
24688 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
24689 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
24690 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
24691
24692 The following is the list of possible async records:
24693
24694 @table @code
24695
24696 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
24697 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
24698 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
24699 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
24700 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
24701 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
24702 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
24703 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
24704 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
24705 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
24706
24707 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
24708 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
24709 following values:
24710
24711 @table @code
24712 @item breakpoint-hit
24713 A breakpoint was reached.
24714 @item watchpoint-trigger
24715 A watchpoint was triggered.
24716 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
24717 A read watchpoint was triggered.
24718 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
24719 An access watchpoint was triggered.
24720 @item function-finished
24721 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
24722 @item location-reached
24723 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
24724 @item watchpoint-scope
24725 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
24726 @item end-stepping-range
24727 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
24728 similar CLI command was accomplished.
24729 @item exited-signalled
24730 The inferior exited because of a signal.
24731 @item exited
24732 The inferior exited.
24733 @item exited-normally
24734 The inferior exited normally.
24735 @item signal-received
24736 A signal was received by the inferior.
24737 @end table
24738
24739 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
24740 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
24741 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
24742 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
24743 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
24744 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
24745 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
24746 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
24747 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
24748 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
24749 if such information is not available.
24750
24751 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
24752 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
24753 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
24754 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
24755 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
24756 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
24757 cannot be used in any way.
24758
24759 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
24760 A thread group became associated with a running program,
24761 either because the program was just started or the thread group
24762 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
24763 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
24764 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
24765
24766 @itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
24767 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
24768 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
24769 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
24770 thread group.
24771
24772 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
24773 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
24774 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
24775 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
24776 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
24777
24778 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
24779 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
24780 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
24781 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
24782 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
24783 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
24784 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
24785
24786 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
24787 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
24788 that thread.
24789
24790 @item =library-loaded,...
24791 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
24792 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
24793 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
24794 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
24795 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
24796 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
24797 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
24798 @var{symbols-loaded} field reports if the debug symbols for this
24799 library are loaded. The @var{thread-group} field, if present,
24800 specifies the id of the thread group in whose context the library was loaded.
24801 If the field is absent, it means the library was loaded in the context
24802 of all present thread groups.
24803
24804 @item =library-unloaded,...
24805 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
24806 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
24807 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
24808 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
24809 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
24810 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
24811 thread groups.
24812
24813 @end table
24814
24815 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
24816 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
24817
24818 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
24819 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
24820 fields:
24821
24822 @table @code
24823 @item level
24824 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
24825 zero. This field is always present.
24826
24827 @item func
24828 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
24829 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
24830
24831 @item addr
24832 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
24833
24834 @item file
24835 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
24836 address. This field may be absent.
24837
24838 @item line
24839 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
24840 may be absent.
24841
24842 @item from
24843 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
24844 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
24845
24846 @end table
24847
24848 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
24849 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
24850
24851 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
24852 uses a tuple with the following fields:
24853
24854 @table @code
24855 @item id
24856 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
24857 always present.
24858
24859 @item target-id
24860 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
24861
24862 @item details
24863 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
24864 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
24865 frontend. This field is optional.
24866
24867 @item state
24868 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
24869 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
24870
24871 @item core
24872 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
24873 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
24874 @end table
24875
24876
24877 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24878 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
24879 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
24880 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
24881
24882 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
24883 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
24884 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
24885 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
24886
24887 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
24888 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
24889
24890 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
24891
24892 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
24893 information of the breakpoint.
24894
24895 @smallexample
24896 -> -break-insert main
24897 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
24898 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
24899 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
24900 <- (gdb)
24901 @end smallexample
24902
24903 @subheading Program Execution
24904
24905 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
24906 reason that execution stopped.
24907
24908 @smallexample
24909 -> -exec-run
24910 <- ^running
24911 <- (gdb)
24912 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
24913 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
24914 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
24915 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
24916 <- (gdb)
24917 -> -exec-continue
24918 <- ^running
24919 <- (gdb)
24920 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
24921 <- (gdb)
24922 @end smallexample
24923
24924 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
24925
24926 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
24927
24928 @smallexample
24929 -> (gdb)
24930 <- -gdb-exit
24931 <- ^exit
24932 @end smallexample
24933
24934 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
24935 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
24936 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
24937 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
24938 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
24939 fails to exit in reasonable time.
24940
24941 @subheading A Bad Command
24942
24943 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
24944
24945 @smallexample
24946 -> -rubbish
24947 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
24948 <- (gdb)
24949 @end smallexample
24950
24951
24952 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24953 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
24954 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
24955
24956 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
24957 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
24958
24959 @subheading Motivation
24960
24961 The motivation for this collection of commands.
24962
24963 @subheading Introduction
24964
24965 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
24966
24967 @subheading Commands
24968
24969 For each command in the block, the following is described:
24970
24971 @subsubheading Synopsis
24972
24973 @smallexample
24974 -command @var{args}@dots{}
24975 @end smallexample
24976
24977 @subsubheading Result
24978
24979 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24980
24981 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
24982
24983 @subsubheading Example
24984
24985 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
24986 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
24987
24988
24989 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24990 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
24991 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
24992
24993 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
24994 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
24995 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
24996 breakpoints.
24997
24998 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
24999 @findex -break-after
25000
25001 @subsubheading Synopsis
25002
25003 @smallexample
25004 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
25005 @end smallexample
25006
25007 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
25008 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
25009 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
25010 @samp{-break-list} command below.
25011
25012 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25013
25014 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
25015
25016 @subsubheading Example
25017
25018 @smallexample
25019 (gdb)
25020 -break-insert main
25021 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25022 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
25023 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
25024 (gdb)
25025 -break-after 1 3
25026 ~
25027 ^done
25028 (gdb)
25029 -break-list
25030 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25031 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25032 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25033 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25034 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25035 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25036 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25037 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25038 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25039 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
25040 (gdb)
25041 @end smallexample
25042
25043 @ignore
25044 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
25045 @findex -break-catch
25046 @end ignore
25047
25048 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
25049 @findex -break-commands
25050
25051 @subsubheading Synopsis
25052
25053 @smallexample
25054 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
25055 @end smallexample
25056
25057 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
25058 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
25059 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
25060 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
25061 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
25062 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
25063
25064 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25065
25066 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
25067
25068 @subsubheading Example
25069
25070 @smallexample
25071 (gdb)
25072 -break-insert main
25073 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25074 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
25075 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
25076 (gdb)
25077 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
25078 ^done
25079 (gdb)
25080 @end smallexample
25081
25082 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
25083 @findex -break-condition
25084
25085 @subsubheading Synopsis
25086
25087 @smallexample
25088 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
25089 @end smallexample
25090
25091 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
25092 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
25093 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
25094 command below).
25095
25096 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25097
25098 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
25099
25100 @subsubheading Example
25101
25102 @smallexample
25103 (gdb)
25104 -break-condition 1 1
25105 ^done
25106 (gdb)
25107 -break-list
25108 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25109 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25110 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25111 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25112 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25113 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25114 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25115 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25116 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25117 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
25118 (gdb)
25119 @end smallexample
25120
25121 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
25122 @findex -break-delete
25123
25124 @subsubheading Synopsis
25125
25126 @smallexample
25127 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25128 @end smallexample
25129
25130 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
25131 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
25132
25133 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25134
25135 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
25136
25137 @subsubheading Example
25138
25139 @smallexample
25140 (gdb)
25141 -break-delete 1
25142 ^done
25143 (gdb)
25144 -break-list
25145 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
25146 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25147 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25148 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25149 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25150 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25151 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25152 body=[]@}
25153 (gdb)
25154 @end smallexample
25155
25156 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
25157 @findex -break-disable
25158
25159 @subsubheading Synopsis
25160
25161 @smallexample
25162 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25163 @end smallexample
25164
25165 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
25166 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
25167
25168 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25169
25170 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
25171
25172 @subsubheading Example
25173
25174 @smallexample
25175 (gdb)
25176 -break-disable 2
25177 ^done
25178 (gdb)
25179 -break-list
25180 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25181 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25182 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25183 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25184 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25185 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25186 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25187 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
25188 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25189 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25190 (gdb)
25191 @end smallexample
25192
25193 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
25194 @findex -break-enable
25195
25196 @subsubheading Synopsis
25197
25198 @smallexample
25199 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25200 @end smallexample
25201
25202 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
25203
25204 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25205
25206 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
25207
25208 @subsubheading Example
25209
25210 @smallexample
25211 (gdb)
25212 -break-enable 2
25213 ^done
25214 (gdb)
25215 -break-list
25216 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25217 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25218 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25219 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25220 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25221 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25222 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25223 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25224 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25225 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25226 (gdb)
25227 @end smallexample
25228
25229 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
25230 @findex -break-info
25231
25232 @subsubheading Synopsis
25233
25234 @smallexample
25235 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
25236 @end smallexample
25237
25238 @c REDUNDANT???
25239 Get information about a single breakpoint.
25240
25241 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25242
25243 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
25244
25245 @subsubheading Example
25246 N.A.
25247
25248 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
25249 @findex -break-insert
25250
25251 @subsubheading Synopsis
25252
25253 @smallexample
25254 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
25255 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
25256 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
25257 @end smallexample
25258
25259 @noindent
25260 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
25261
25262 @itemize @bullet
25263 @item function
25264 @c @item +offset
25265 @c @item -offset
25266 @c @item linenum
25267 @item filename:linenum
25268 @item filename:function
25269 @item *address
25270 @end itemize
25271
25272 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
25273
25274 @table @samp
25275 @item -t
25276 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
25277 @item -h
25278 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
25279 @item -c @var{condition}
25280 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
25281 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
25282 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
25283 @item -f
25284 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
25285 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
25286 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
25287 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
25288 cannot be parsed.
25289 @item -d
25290 Create a disabled breakpoint.
25291 @item -a
25292 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
25293 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
25294 @end table
25295
25296 @subsubheading Result
25297
25298 The result is in the form:
25299
25300 @smallexample
25301 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
25302 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
25303 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
25304 times="@var{times}"@}
25305 @end smallexample
25306
25307 @noindent
25308 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
25309 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
25310 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
25311 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
25312 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
25313 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
25314 which use the same output).
25315
25316 Note: this format is open to change.
25317 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
25318
25319 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25320
25321 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
25322 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
25323
25324 @subsubheading Example
25325
25326 @smallexample
25327 (gdb)
25328 -break-insert main
25329 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
25330 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
25331 (gdb)
25332 -break-insert -t foo
25333 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
25334 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
25335 (gdb)
25336 -break-list
25337 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25338 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25339 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25340 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25341 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25342 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25343 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25344 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25345 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
25346 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
25347 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
25348 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
25349 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
25350 (gdb)
25351 -break-insert -r foo.*
25352 ~int foo(int, int);
25353 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
25354 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
25355 (gdb)
25356 @end smallexample
25357
25358 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
25359 @findex -break-list
25360
25361 @subsubheading Synopsis
25362
25363 @smallexample
25364 -break-list
25365 @end smallexample
25366
25367 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
25368
25369 @table @samp
25370 @item Number
25371 number of the breakpoint
25372 @item Type
25373 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
25374 @item Disposition
25375 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
25376 or @samp{nokeep}
25377 @item Enabled
25378 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
25379 @item Address
25380 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
25381 @item What
25382 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
25383 name, line number
25384 @item Times
25385 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
25386 @end table
25387
25388 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
25389 @code{body} field is an empty list.
25390
25391 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25392
25393 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
25394
25395 @subsubheading Example
25396
25397 @smallexample
25398 (gdb)
25399 -break-list
25400 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25401 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25402 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25403 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25404 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25405 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25406 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25407 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25408 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
25409 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25410 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25411 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
25412 (gdb)
25413 @end smallexample
25414
25415 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
25416
25417 @smallexample
25418 (gdb)
25419 -break-list
25420 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
25421 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25422 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25423 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25424 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25425 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25426 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25427 body=[]@}
25428 (gdb)
25429 @end smallexample
25430
25431 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
25432 @findex -break-passcount
25433
25434 @subsubheading Synopsis
25435
25436 @smallexample
25437 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
25438 @end smallexample
25439
25440 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
25441 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
25442 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
25443 command @samp{passcount}.
25444
25445 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
25446 @findex -break-watch
25447
25448 @subsubheading Synopsis
25449
25450 @smallexample
25451 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
25452 @end smallexample
25453
25454 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
25455 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
25456 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
25457 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
25458 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
25459 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
25460 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
25461 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
25462
25463 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
25464 breakpoints inserted.
25465
25466 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25467
25468 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
25469 @samp{rwatch}.
25470
25471 @subsubheading Example
25472
25473 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
25474
25475 @smallexample
25476 (gdb)
25477 -break-watch x
25478 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
25479 (gdb)
25480 -exec-continue
25481 ^running
25482 (gdb)
25483 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
25484 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
25485 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
25486 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
25487 (gdb)
25488 @end smallexample
25489
25490 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
25491 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
25492 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
25493
25494 @smallexample
25495 (gdb)
25496 -break-watch C
25497 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
25498 (gdb)
25499 -exec-continue
25500 ^running
25501 (gdb)
25502 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
25503 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
25504 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
25505 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25506 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
25507 (gdb)
25508 -exec-continue
25509 ^running
25510 (gdb)
25511 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
25512 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
25513 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
25514 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25515 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
25516 (gdb)
25517 @end smallexample
25518
25519 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
25520 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
25521 deleted.
25522
25523 @smallexample
25524 (gdb)
25525 -break-watch C
25526 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
25527 (gdb)
25528 -break-list
25529 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25530 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25531 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25532 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25533 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25534 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25535 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25536 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25537 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25538 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25539 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
25540 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
25541 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
25542 (gdb)
25543 -exec-continue
25544 ^running
25545 (gdb)
25546 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
25547 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
25548 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
25549 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25550 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
25551 (gdb)
25552 -break-list
25553 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25554 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25555 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25556 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25557 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25558 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25559 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25560 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25561 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25562 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25563 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
25564 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
25565 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
25566 (gdb)
25567 -exec-continue
25568 ^running
25569 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
25570 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
25571 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
25572 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25573 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
25574 (gdb)
25575 -break-list
25576 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25577 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25578 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25579 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25580 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25581 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25582 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25583 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25584 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25585 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25586 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
25587 times="1"@}]@}
25588 (gdb)
25589 @end smallexample
25590
25591 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25592 @node GDB/MI Program Context
25593 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
25594
25595 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
25596 @findex -exec-arguments
25597
25598
25599 @subsubheading Synopsis
25600
25601 @smallexample
25602 -exec-arguments @var{args}
25603 @end smallexample
25604
25605 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
25606 @samp{-exec-run}.
25607
25608 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25609
25610 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
25611
25612 @subsubheading Example
25613
25614 @smallexample
25615 (gdb)
25616 -exec-arguments -v word
25617 ^done
25618 (gdb)
25619 @end smallexample
25620
25621
25622 @ignore
25623 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
25624 @findex -exec-show-arguments
25625
25626 @subsubheading Synopsis
25627
25628 @smallexample
25629 -exec-show-arguments
25630 @end smallexample
25631
25632 Print the arguments of the program.
25633
25634 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25635
25636 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
25637
25638 @subsubheading Example
25639 N.A.
25640 @end ignore
25641
25642
25643 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
25644 @findex -environment-cd
25645
25646 @subsubheading Synopsis
25647
25648 @smallexample
25649 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
25650 @end smallexample
25651
25652 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
25653
25654 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25655
25656 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
25657
25658 @subsubheading Example
25659
25660 @smallexample
25661 (gdb)
25662 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
25663 ^done
25664 (gdb)
25665 @end smallexample
25666
25667
25668 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
25669 @findex -environment-directory
25670
25671 @subsubheading Synopsis
25672
25673 @smallexample
25674 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
25675 @end smallexample
25676
25677 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
25678 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
25679 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
25680 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
25681 occurs as normal.
25682 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
25683 multiple directories in a single command
25684 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
25685 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
25686 If blanks are needed as
25687 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
25688 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
25689 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
25690 character must not be used
25691 in any directory name.
25692 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
25693
25694 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25695
25696 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
25697
25698 @subsubheading Example
25699
25700 @smallexample
25701 (gdb)
25702 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
25703 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
25704 (gdb)
25705 -environment-directory ""
25706 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
25707 (gdb)
25708 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
25709 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
25710 (gdb)
25711 -environment-directory -r
25712 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
25713 (gdb)
25714 @end smallexample
25715
25716
25717 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
25718 @findex -environment-path
25719
25720 @subsubheading Synopsis
25721
25722 @smallexample
25723 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
25724 @end smallexample
25725
25726 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
25727 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
25728 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
25729 supplied in addition to the
25730 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
25731 occurs as normal.
25732 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
25733 multiple directories in a single command
25734 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
25735 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
25736 If blanks are needed as
25737 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
25738 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
25739 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
25740 character must not be used
25741 in any directory name.
25742 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
25743
25744
25745 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25746
25747 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
25748
25749 @subsubheading Example
25750
25751 @smallexample
25752 (gdb)
25753 -environment-path
25754 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
25755 (gdb)
25756 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
25757 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
25758 (gdb)
25759 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
25760 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
25761 (gdb)
25762 @end smallexample
25763
25764
25765 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
25766 @findex -environment-pwd
25767
25768 @subsubheading Synopsis
25769
25770 @smallexample
25771 -environment-pwd
25772 @end smallexample
25773
25774 Show the current working directory.
25775
25776 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25777
25778 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
25779
25780 @subsubheading Example
25781
25782 @smallexample
25783 (gdb)
25784 -environment-pwd
25785 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
25786 (gdb)
25787 @end smallexample
25788
25789 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25790 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
25791 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
25792
25793
25794 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
25795 @findex -thread-info
25796
25797 @subsubheading Synopsis
25798
25799 @smallexample
25800 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
25801 @end smallexample
25802
25803 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
25804 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
25805 threads. When printing information about all threads,
25806 also reports the current thread.
25807
25808 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25809
25810 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
25811 about all threads.
25812
25813 @subsubheading Example
25814
25815 @smallexample
25816 -thread-info
25817 ^done,threads=[
25818 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
25819 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
25820 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
25821 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
25822 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}],
25823 current-thread-id="1"
25824 (gdb)
25825 @end smallexample
25826
25827 The @samp{state} field may have the following values:
25828
25829 @table @code
25830 @item stopped
25831 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
25832 threads.
25833
25834 @item running
25835 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
25836 threads.
25837
25838 @end table
25839
25840 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
25841 @findex -thread-list-ids
25842
25843 @subsubheading Synopsis
25844
25845 @smallexample
25846 -thread-list-ids
25847 @end smallexample
25848
25849 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
25850 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
25851
25852 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
25853 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
25854
25855 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25856
25857 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
25858
25859 @subsubheading Example
25860
25861 @smallexample
25862 (gdb)
25863 -thread-list-ids
25864 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
25865 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
25866 (gdb)
25867 @end smallexample
25868
25869
25870 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
25871 @findex -thread-select
25872
25873 @subsubheading Synopsis
25874
25875 @smallexample
25876 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
25877 @end smallexample
25878
25879 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
25880 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
25881
25882 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
25883 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
25884
25885 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25886
25887 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
25888
25889 @subsubheading Example
25890
25891 @smallexample
25892 (gdb)
25893 -exec-next
25894 ^running
25895 (gdb)
25896 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
25897 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
25898 (gdb)
25899 -thread-list-ids
25900 ^done,
25901 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
25902 number-of-threads="3"
25903 (gdb)
25904 -thread-select 3
25905 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
25906 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
25907 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
25908 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
25909 (gdb)
25910 @end smallexample
25911
25912 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25913 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
25914 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
25915
25916 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
25917 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
25918 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
25919 other cases.
25920
25921 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
25922 @findex -exec-continue
25923
25924 @subsubheading Synopsis
25925
25926 @smallexample
25927 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
25928 @end smallexample
25929
25930 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
25931 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
25932 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
25933 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
25934 @itemize @bullet
25935 @item
25936 breakpoints or watchpoints
25937 @item
25938 signals or exceptions
25939 @item
25940 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
25941 @item
25942 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
25943 @end itemize
25944 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
25945 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
25946 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
25947 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
25948 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
25949 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
25950
25951 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25952
25953 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
25954
25955 @subsubheading Example
25956
25957 @smallexample
25958 -exec-continue
25959 ^running
25960 (gdb)
25961 @@Hello world
25962 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
25963 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
25964 line="13"@}
25965 (gdb)
25966 @end smallexample
25967
25968
25969 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
25970 @findex -exec-finish
25971
25972 @subsubheading Synopsis
25973
25974 @smallexample
25975 -exec-finish [--reverse]
25976 @end smallexample
25977
25978 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
25979 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
25980 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
25981 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
25982 function was called.
25983
25984 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25985
25986 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
25987
25988 @subsubheading Example
25989
25990 Function returning @code{void}.
25991
25992 @smallexample
25993 -exec-finish
25994 ^running
25995 (gdb)
25996 @@hello from foo
25997 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
25998 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
25999 (gdb)
26000 @end smallexample
26001
26002 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
26003 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
26004 value itself.
26005
26006 @smallexample
26007 -exec-finish
26008 ^running
26009 (gdb)
26010 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
26011 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
26012 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26013 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
26014 (gdb)
26015 @end smallexample
26016
26017
26018 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
26019 @findex -exec-interrupt
26020
26021 @subsubheading Synopsis
26022
26023 @smallexample
26024 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
26025 @end smallexample
26026
26027 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
26028 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
26029 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
26030 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
26031 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
26032
26033 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
26034 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
26035 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
26036 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
26037
26038 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
26039 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
26040 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
26041 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
26042
26043 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26044
26045 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
26046
26047 @subsubheading Example
26048
26049 @smallexample
26050 (gdb)
26051 111-exec-continue
26052 111^running
26053
26054 (gdb)
26055 222-exec-interrupt
26056 222^done
26057 (gdb)
26058 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
26059 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26060 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
26061 (gdb)
26062
26063 (gdb)
26064 -exec-interrupt
26065 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
26066 (gdb)
26067 @end smallexample
26068
26069 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
26070 @findex -exec-jump
26071
26072 @subsubheading Synopsis
26073
26074 @smallexample
26075 -exec-jump @var{location}
26076 @end smallexample
26077
26078 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
26079 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
26080 different forms of @var{location}.
26081
26082 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26083
26084 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
26085
26086 @subsubheading Example
26087
26088 @smallexample
26089 -exec-jump foo.c:10
26090 *running,thread-id="all"
26091 ^running
26092 @end smallexample
26093
26094
26095 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
26096 @findex -exec-next
26097
26098 @subsubheading Synopsis
26099
26100 @smallexample
26101 -exec-next [--reverse]
26102 @end smallexample
26103
26104 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
26105 of the next source line is reached.
26106
26107 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
26108 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
26109 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
26110 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
26111 source line where the function was called.
26112
26113
26114 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26115
26116 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
26117
26118 @subsubheading Example
26119
26120 @smallexample
26121 -exec-next
26122 ^running
26123 (gdb)
26124 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
26125 (gdb)
26126 @end smallexample
26127
26128
26129 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
26130 @findex -exec-next-instruction
26131
26132 @subsubheading Synopsis
26133
26134 @smallexample
26135 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
26136 @end smallexample
26137
26138 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
26139 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
26140 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
26141 printed as well.
26142
26143 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
26144 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
26145 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
26146 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
26147 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
26148
26149 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26150
26151 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
26152
26153 @subsubheading Example
26154
26155 @smallexample
26156 (gdb)
26157 -exec-next-instruction
26158 ^running
26159
26160 (gdb)
26161 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26162 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
26163 (gdb)
26164 @end smallexample
26165
26166
26167 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
26168 @findex -exec-return
26169
26170 @subsubheading Synopsis
26171
26172 @smallexample
26173 -exec-return
26174 @end smallexample
26175
26176 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
26177 Displays the new current frame.
26178
26179 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26180
26181 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
26182
26183 @subsubheading Example
26184
26185 @smallexample
26186 (gdb)
26187 200-break-insert callee4
26188 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
26189 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
26190 (gdb)
26191 000-exec-run
26192 000^running
26193 (gdb)
26194 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
26195 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26196 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26197 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
26198 (gdb)
26199 205-break-delete
26200 205^done
26201 (gdb)
26202 111-exec-return
26203 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
26204 args=[@{name="strarg",
26205 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26206 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26207 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26208 (gdb)
26209 @end smallexample
26210
26211
26212 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
26213 @findex -exec-run
26214
26215 @subsubheading Synopsis
26216
26217 @smallexample
26218 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
26219 @end smallexample
26220
26221 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
26222 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
26223 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
26224 the program has exited exceptionally.
26225
26226 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
26227 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
26228 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
26229 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
26230
26231 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26232
26233 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
26234
26235 @subsubheading Examples
26236
26237 @smallexample
26238 (gdb)
26239 -break-insert main
26240 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
26241 (gdb)
26242 -exec-run
26243 ^running
26244 (gdb)
26245 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
26246 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
26247 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
26248 (gdb)
26249 @end smallexample
26250
26251 @noindent
26252 Program exited normally:
26253
26254 @smallexample
26255 (gdb)
26256 -exec-run
26257 ^running
26258 (gdb)
26259 x = 55
26260 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
26261 (gdb)
26262 @end smallexample
26263
26264 @noindent
26265 Program exited exceptionally:
26266
26267 @smallexample
26268 (gdb)
26269 -exec-run
26270 ^running
26271 (gdb)
26272 x = 55
26273 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
26274 (gdb)
26275 @end smallexample
26276
26277 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
26278 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
26279
26280 @smallexample
26281 (gdb)
26282 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
26283 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
26284 @end smallexample
26285
26286
26287 @c @subheading -exec-signal
26288
26289
26290 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
26291 @findex -exec-step
26292
26293 @subsubheading Synopsis
26294
26295 @smallexample
26296 -exec-step [--reverse]
26297 @end smallexample
26298
26299 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
26300 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
26301 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
26302 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
26303 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
26304 previously executed source line.
26305
26306 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26307
26308 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
26309
26310 @subsubheading Example
26311
26312 Stepping into a function:
26313
26314 @smallexample
26315 -exec-step
26316 ^running
26317 (gdb)
26318 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26319 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
26320 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
26321 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
26322 (gdb)
26323 @end smallexample
26324
26325 Regular stepping:
26326
26327 @smallexample
26328 -exec-step
26329 ^running
26330 (gdb)
26331 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
26332 (gdb)
26333 @end smallexample
26334
26335
26336 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
26337 @findex -exec-step-instruction
26338
26339 @subsubheading Synopsis
26340
26341 @smallexample
26342 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
26343 @end smallexample
26344
26345 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
26346 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
26347 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
26348 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
26349 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
26350 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
26351 as well.
26352
26353 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26354
26355 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
26356
26357 @subsubheading Example
26358
26359 @smallexample
26360 (gdb)
26361 -exec-step-instruction
26362 ^running
26363
26364 (gdb)
26365 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26366 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26367 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
26368 (gdb)
26369 -exec-step-instruction
26370 ^running
26371
26372 (gdb)
26373 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26374 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26375 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
26376 (gdb)
26377 @end smallexample
26378
26379
26380 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
26381 @findex -exec-until
26382
26383 @subsubheading Synopsis
26384
26385 @smallexample
26386 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
26387 @end smallexample
26388
26389 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
26390 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
26391 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
26392 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
26393
26394 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26395
26396 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
26397
26398 @subsubheading Example
26399
26400 @smallexample
26401 (gdb)
26402 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
26403 ^running
26404 (gdb)
26405 x = 55
26406 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
26407 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
26408 (gdb)
26409 @end smallexample
26410
26411 @ignore
26412 @subheading -file-clear
26413 Is this going away????
26414 @end ignore
26415
26416 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26417 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
26418 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
26419
26420
26421 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
26422 @findex -stack-info-frame
26423
26424 @subsubheading Synopsis
26425
26426 @smallexample
26427 -stack-info-frame
26428 @end smallexample
26429
26430 Get info on the selected frame.
26431
26432 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26433
26434 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
26435 (without arguments).
26436
26437 @subsubheading Example
26438
26439 @smallexample
26440 (gdb)
26441 -stack-info-frame
26442 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
26443 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26444 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
26445 (gdb)
26446 @end smallexample
26447
26448 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
26449 @findex -stack-info-depth
26450
26451 @subsubheading Synopsis
26452
26453 @smallexample
26454 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
26455 @end smallexample
26456
26457 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
26458 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
26459
26460 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26461
26462 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
26463
26464 @subsubheading Example
26465
26466 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
26467
26468 @smallexample
26469 (gdb)
26470 -stack-info-depth
26471 ^done,depth="12"
26472 (gdb)
26473 -stack-info-depth 4
26474 ^done,depth="4"
26475 (gdb)
26476 -stack-info-depth 12
26477 ^done,depth="12"
26478 (gdb)
26479 -stack-info-depth 11
26480 ^done,depth="11"
26481 (gdb)
26482 -stack-info-depth 13
26483 ^done,depth="12"
26484 (gdb)
26485 @end smallexample
26486
26487 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
26488 @findex -stack-list-arguments
26489
26490 @subsubheading Synopsis
26491
26492 @smallexample
26493 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
26494 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
26495 @end smallexample
26496
26497 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
26498 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
26499 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
26500 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
26501 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
26502 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
26503 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
26504 which case only existing frames will be returned.
26505
26506 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
26507 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
26508 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
26509 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
26510 structures and unions.
26511
26512 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
26513 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
26514
26515 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26516
26517 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
26518 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
26519 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
26520
26521 @subsubheading Example
26522
26523 @smallexample
26524 (gdb)
26525 -stack-list-frames
26526 ^done,
26527 stack=[
26528 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26529 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26530 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
26531 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
26532 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26533 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
26534 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
26535 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26536 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
26537 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
26538 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26539 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
26540 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
26541 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26542 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
26543 (gdb)
26544 -stack-list-arguments 0
26545 ^done,
26546 stack-args=[
26547 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
26548 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
26549 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
26550 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
26551 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
26552 (gdb)
26553 -stack-list-arguments 1
26554 ^done,
26555 stack-args=[
26556 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
26557 frame=@{level="1",
26558 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
26559 frame=@{level="2",args=[
26560 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
26561 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
26562 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
26563 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
26564 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
26565 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
26566 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
26567 (gdb)
26568 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
26569 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
26570 (gdb)
26571 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
26572 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
26573 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
26574 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
26575 (gdb)
26576 @end smallexample
26577
26578 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
26579
26580
26581 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
26582 @findex -stack-list-frames
26583
26584 @subsubheading Synopsis
26585
26586 @smallexample
26587 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
26588 @end smallexample
26589
26590 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
26591 following info:
26592
26593 @table @samp
26594 @item @var{level}
26595 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
26596 @item @var{addr}
26597 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
26598 @item @var{func}
26599 Function name.
26600 @item @var{file}
26601 File name of the source file where the function lives.
26602 @item @var{fullname}
26603 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
26604 @item @var{line}
26605 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
26606 @item @var{from}
26607 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
26608 if the frame's function is not known.
26609 @end table
26610
26611 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
26612 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
26613 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
26614 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
26615 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
26616 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
26617 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
26618
26619 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26620
26621 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
26622
26623 @subsubheading Example
26624
26625 Full stack backtrace:
26626
26627 @smallexample
26628 (gdb)
26629 -stack-list-frames
26630 ^done,stack=
26631 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
26632 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
26633 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26634 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26635 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26636 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26637 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26638 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26639 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26640 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26641 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26642 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26643 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26644 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26645 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26646 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26647 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26648 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26649 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26650 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26651 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26652 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26653 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
26654 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
26655 (gdb)
26656 @end smallexample
26657
26658 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
26659
26660 @smallexample
26661 (gdb)
26662 -stack-list-frames 3 5
26663 ^done,stack=
26664 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26665 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26666 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26667 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26668 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26669 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
26670 (gdb)
26671 @end smallexample
26672
26673 Show a single frame:
26674
26675 @smallexample
26676 (gdb)
26677 -stack-list-frames 3 3
26678 ^done,stack=
26679 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26680 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
26681 (gdb)
26682 @end smallexample
26683
26684
26685 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
26686 @findex -stack-list-locals
26687
26688 @subsubheading Synopsis
26689
26690 @smallexample
26691 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
26692 @end smallexample
26693
26694 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
26695 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
26696 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
26697 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
26698 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
26699 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
26700 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
26701 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
26702 more detail.
26703
26704 This command is deprecated in favor of the
26705 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
26706
26707 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26708
26709 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
26710
26711 @subsubheading Example
26712
26713 @smallexample
26714 (gdb)
26715 -stack-list-locals 0
26716 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
26717 (gdb)
26718 -stack-list-locals --all-values
26719 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
26720 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
26721 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
26722 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
26723 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
26724 (gdb)
26725 @end smallexample
26726
26727 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
26728 @findex -stack-list-variables
26729
26730 @subsubheading Synopsis
26731
26732 @smallexample
26733 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
26734 @end smallexample
26735
26736 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
26737 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
26738 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
26739 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
26740 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
26741 structures and unions.
26742
26743 @subsubheading Example
26744
26745 @smallexample
26746 (gdb)
26747 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
26748 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
26749 (gdb)
26750 @end smallexample
26751
26752
26753 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
26754 @findex -stack-select-frame
26755
26756 @subsubheading Synopsis
26757
26758 @smallexample
26759 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
26760 @end smallexample
26761
26762 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
26763 the stack.
26764
26765 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
26766 option to every command.
26767
26768 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26769
26770 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
26771 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
26772
26773 @subsubheading Example
26774
26775 @smallexample
26776 (gdb)
26777 -stack-select-frame 2
26778 ^done
26779 (gdb)
26780 @end smallexample
26781
26782 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26783 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
26784 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
26785
26786 @ignore
26787
26788 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
26789
26790 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
26791 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
26792 used by @code{Insight}.
26793
26794 The two main reasons for that are:
26795
26796 @enumerate 1
26797 @item
26798 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
26799
26800 @item
26801 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
26802 now).
26803 @end enumerate
26804
26805 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
26806 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
26807 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
26808 hints about their use.
26809
26810 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
26811 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
26812 least, the following operations:
26813
26814 @itemize @bullet
26815 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
26816 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
26817 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
26818 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
26819 @end itemize
26820
26821 @end ignore
26822
26823 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
26824
26825 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
26826
26827 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
26828 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
26829 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
26830 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
26831 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
26832 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
26833 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
26834 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
26835 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
26836 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
26837 object, or to change display format.
26838
26839 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
26840 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
26841 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
26842 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
26843 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
26844 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
26845 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
26846 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
26847 child will be created.
26848
26849 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
26850 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
26851 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
26852 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
26853 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
26854
26855 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
26856 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
26857 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
26858 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
26859 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
26860 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
26861 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
26862 variables that frontend has created.
26863
26864 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
26865 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
26866 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
26867 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
26868 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
26869 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
26870 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
26871 implicitly updated.
26872
26873 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
26874 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
26875 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
26876 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
26877 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
26878 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
26879 frame. Consider this example:
26880
26881 @smallexample
26882 void do_work(...)
26883 @{
26884 struct work_state state;
26885
26886 if (...)
26887 do_work(...);
26888 @}
26889 @end smallexample
26890
26891 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
26892 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the the variable
26893 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
26894 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
26895 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
26896
26897 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
26898 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
26899 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
26900 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
26901 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
26902 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
26903
26904 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
26905 access this functionality:
26906
26907 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
26908 @item @strong{Operation}
26909 @tab @strong{Description}
26910
26911 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
26912 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
26913 @item @code{-var-create}
26914 @tab create a variable object
26915 @item @code{-var-delete}
26916 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
26917 @item @code{-var-set-format}
26918 @tab set the display format of this variable
26919 @item @code{-var-show-format}
26920 @tab show the display format of this variable
26921 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
26922 @tab tells how many children this object has
26923 @item @code{-var-list-children}
26924 @tab return a list of the object's children
26925 @item @code{-var-info-type}
26926 @tab show the type of this variable object
26927 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
26928 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
26929 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
26930 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
26931 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
26932 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
26933 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
26934 @tab get the value of this variable
26935 @item @code{-var-assign}
26936 @tab set the value of this variable
26937 @item @code{-var-update}
26938 @tab update the variable and its children
26939 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
26940 @tab set frozeness attribute
26941 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
26942 @tab set range of children to display on update
26943 @end multitable
26944
26945 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
26946 how it can be used.
26947
26948 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
26949
26950 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
26951 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
26952
26953 @smallexample
26954 -enable-pretty-printing
26955 @end smallexample
26956
26957 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
26958 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
26959 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
26960 request that this functionality be enabled.
26961
26962 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
26963
26964 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
26965 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
26966
26967 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
26968 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
26969
26970 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
26971 @findex -var-create
26972
26973 @subsubheading Synopsis
26974
26975 @smallexample
26976 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
26977 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
26978 @end smallexample
26979
26980 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
26981 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
26982 register.
26983
26984 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
26985 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
26986 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
26987 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
26988 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
26989
26990 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
26991 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
26992 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
26993 object must be created.
26994
26995 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
26996 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
26997
26998 @itemize @bullet
26999 @item
27000 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
27001
27002 @item
27003 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
27004
27005 @item
27006 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
27007 @end itemize
27008
27009 @cindex dynamic varobj
27010 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
27011 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
27012 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
27013 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
27014 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
27015 compatibility for existing clients.
27016
27017 @subsubheading Result
27018
27019 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
27020 are:
27021
27022 @table @samp
27023 @item name
27024 The name of the varobj.
27025
27026 @item numchild
27027 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
27028 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
27029 @samp{has_more} attribute.
27030
27031 @item value
27032 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
27033 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
27034 will not be interesting.
27035
27036 @item type
27037 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
27038 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
27039
27040 @item thread-id
27041 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
27042 thread's identifier.
27043
27044 @item has_more
27045 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
27046 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
27047
27048 @item dynamic
27049 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
27050 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
27051 then this attribute will not be present.
27052
27053 @item displayhint
27054 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
27055 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
27056 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
27057 @end table
27058
27059 Typical output will look like this:
27060
27061 @smallexample
27062 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
27063 has_more="@var{has_more}"
27064 @end smallexample
27065
27066
27067 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
27068 @findex -var-delete
27069
27070 @subsubheading Synopsis
27071
27072 @smallexample
27073 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
27074 @end smallexample
27075
27076 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
27077 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
27078
27079 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
27080
27081
27082 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
27083 @findex -var-set-format
27084
27085 @subsubheading Synopsis
27086
27087 @smallexample
27088 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
27089 @end smallexample
27090
27091 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
27092 @var{format-spec}.
27093
27094 @anchor{-var-set-format}
27095 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
27096
27097 @smallexample
27098 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
27099 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
27100 @end smallexample
27101
27102 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
27103 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
27104 for pointers, etc.).
27105
27106 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
27107 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
27108
27109 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
27110 @findex -var-show-format
27111
27112 @subsubheading Synopsis
27113
27114 @smallexample
27115 -var-show-format @var{name}
27116 @end smallexample
27117
27118 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
27119
27120 @smallexample
27121 @var{format} @expansion{}
27122 @var{format-spec}
27123 @end smallexample
27124
27125
27126 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
27127 @findex -var-info-num-children
27128
27129 @subsubheading Synopsis
27130
27131 @smallexample
27132 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
27133 @end smallexample
27134
27135 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
27136
27137 @smallexample
27138 numchild=@var{n}
27139 @end smallexample
27140
27141 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
27142 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
27143 be available.
27144
27145
27146 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
27147 @findex -var-list-children
27148
27149 @subsubheading Synopsis
27150
27151 @smallexample
27152 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
27153 @end smallexample
27154 @anchor{-var-list-children}
27155
27156 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
27157 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
27158 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
27159 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
27160 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
27161 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
27162 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
27163 and unions.
27164
27165 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
27166 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
27167 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
27168 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
27169 reported.
27170
27171 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
27172 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
27173 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
27174 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
27175 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
27176 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
27177 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
27178 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
27179 the visible items.
27180
27181 For each child the following results are returned:
27182
27183 @table @var
27184
27185 @item name
27186 Name of the variable object created for this child.
27187
27188 @item exp
27189 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
27190 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
27191
27192 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
27193 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
27194
27195 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
27196 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
27197 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
27198 type and value are not present.
27199
27200 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
27201 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
27202 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
27203
27204 @item numchild
27205 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
27206 0.
27207
27208 @item type
27209 The type of the child.
27210
27211 @item value
27212 If values were requested, this is the value.
27213
27214 @item thread-id
27215 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
27216 Otherwise this result is not present.
27217
27218 @item frozen
27219 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
27220 @end table
27221
27222 The result may have its own attributes:
27223
27224 @table @samp
27225 @item displayhint
27226 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
27227 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
27228 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
27229
27230 @item has_more
27231 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
27232 remaining after the end of the selected range.
27233 @end table
27234
27235 @subsubheading Example
27236
27237 @smallexample
27238 (gdb)
27239 -var-list-children n
27240 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
27241 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
27242 (gdb)
27243 -var-list-children --all-values n
27244 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
27245 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
27246 @end smallexample
27247
27248
27249 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
27250 @findex -var-info-type
27251
27252 @subsubheading Synopsis
27253
27254 @smallexample
27255 -var-info-type @var{name}
27256 @end smallexample
27257
27258 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
27259 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
27260 @value{GDBN} CLI:
27261
27262 @smallexample
27263 type=@var{typename}
27264 @end smallexample
27265
27266
27267 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
27268 @findex -var-info-expression
27269
27270 @subsubheading Synopsis
27271
27272 @smallexample
27273 -var-info-expression @var{name}
27274 @end smallexample
27275
27276 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
27277 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
27278 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
27279
27280 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
27281 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
27282
27283 @smallexample
27284 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
27285 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
27286 @end smallexample
27287
27288 @noindent
27289 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
27290
27291 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
27292 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
27293 is of limited use.
27294
27295 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
27296 @findex -var-info-path-expression
27297
27298 @subsubheading Synopsis
27299
27300 @smallexample
27301 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
27302 @end smallexample
27303
27304 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
27305 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
27306 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
27307 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
27308 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
27309 watchpoint from a variable object.
27310
27311 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
27312 and will give an error when invoked on one.
27313
27314 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
27315 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
27316 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
27317 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
27318 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
27319 @smallexample
27320 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
27321 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
27322 @end smallexample
27323
27324 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
27325 @findex -var-show-attributes
27326
27327 @subsubheading Synopsis
27328
27329 @smallexample
27330 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
27331 @end smallexample
27332
27333 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
27334
27335 @smallexample
27336 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
27337 @end smallexample
27338
27339 @noindent
27340 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
27341
27342 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
27343 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
27344
27345 @subsubheading Synopsis
27346
27347 @smallexample
27348 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
27349 @end smallexample
27350
27351 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
27352 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
27353 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
27354 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
27355 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
27356 the current display format will be used. The current display format
27357 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
27358
27359 @smallexample
27360 value=@var{value}
27361 @end smallexample
27362
27363 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
27364 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
27365
27366 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
27367 @findex -var-assign
27368
27369 @subsubheading Synopsis
27370
27371 @smallexample
27372 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
27373 @end smallexample
27374
27375 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
27376 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
27377 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
27378 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
27379
27380 @subsubheading Example
27381
27382 @smallexample
27383 (gdb)
27384 -var-assign var1 3
27385 ^done,value="3"
27386 (gdb)
27387 -var-update *
27388 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
27389 (gdb)
27390 @end smallexample
27391
27392 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
27393 @findex -var-update
27394
27395 @subsubheading Synopsis
27396
27397 @smallexample
27398 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
27399 @end smallexample
27400
27401 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
27402 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
27403 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
27404 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
27405 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
27406 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
27407 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
27408 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
27409 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
27410 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
27411 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
27412 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
27413 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
27414
27415 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
27416 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
27417 diagnostic.
27418
27419 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
27420 only the selected range of children will be reported.
27421
27422 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
27423 @samp{changelist}.
27424
27425 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
27426
27427 @table @samp
27428 @item name
27429 The name of the varobj.
27430
27431 @item value
27432 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
27433 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
27434
27435 @item in_scope
27436 @anchor{-var-update}
27437 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
27438
27439 @table @code
27440 @item "true"
27441 The variable object's current value is valid.
27442
27443 @item "false"
27444 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
27445 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
27446 scope.
27447
27448 @item "invalid"
27449 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
27450 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
27451 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
27452 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
27453 objects.
27454 @end table
27455
27456 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
27457 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
27458
27459 @item type_changed
27460 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
27461 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
27462 be @samp{false}.
27463
27464 @item new_type
27465 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
27466 hold the new type.
27467
27468 @item new_num_children
27469 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
27470 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
27471
27472 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
27473 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
27474 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
27475 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
27476 children which may be available.
27477
27478 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
27479 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
27480 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
27481 only happen at the end of the update range).
27482
27483 @item displayhint
27484 The display hint, if any.
27485
27486 @item has_more
27487 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
27488 available outside the varobj's update range.
27489
27490 @item dynamic
27491 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
27492 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
27493 then this attribute will not be present.
27494
27495 @item new_children
27496 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
27497 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
27498 be listed in this attribute.
27499 @end table
27500
27501 @subsubheading Example
27502
27503 @smallexample
27504 (gdb)
27505 -var-assign var1 3
27506 ^done,value="3"
27507 (gdb)
27508 -var-update --all-values var1
27509 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
27510 type_changed="false"@}]
27511 (gdb)
27512 @end smallexample
27513
27514 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
27515 @findex -var-set-frozen
27516 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
27517
27518 @subsubheading Synopsis
27519
27520 @smallexample
27521 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
27522 @end smallexample
27523
27524 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
27525 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
27526 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
27527 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
27528 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
27529 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
27530 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
27531 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
27532 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
27533 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
27534 @code{-var-update} does.
27535
27536 @subsubheading Example
27537
27538 @smallexample
27539 (gdb)
27540 -var-set-frozen V 1
27541 ^done
27542 (gdb)
27543 @end smallexample
27544
27545 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
27546 @findex -var-set-update-range
27547 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
27548
27549 @subsubheading Synopsis
27550
27551 @smallexample
27552 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
27553 @end smallexample
27554
27555 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
27556 @code{-var-update}.
27557
27558 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
27559 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
27560 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
27561 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
27562
27563 @subsubheading Example
27564
27565 @smallexample
27566 (gdb)
27567 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
27568 ^done
27569 @end smallexample
27570
27571 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
27572 @findex -var-set-visualizer
27573 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
27574
27575 @subsubheading Synopsis
27576
27577 @smallexample
27578 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
27579 @end smallexample
27580
27581 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
27582
27583 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
27584 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
27585
27586 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
27587 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
27588 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
27589 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
27590 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
27591 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
27592 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
27593
27594 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
27595 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
27596 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
27597 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
27598
27599 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
27600 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
27601 can be used to check this.
27602
27603 @subsubheading Example
27604
27605 Resetting the visualizer:
27606
27607 @smallexample
27608 (gdb)
27609 -var-set-visualizer V None
27610 ^done
27611 @end smallexample
27612
27613 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
27614
27615 @smallexample
27616 (gdb)
27617 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
27618 ^done
27619 @end smallexample
27620
27621 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
27622 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
27623
27624 @smallexample
27625 (gdb)
27626 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
27627 ^done
27628 @end smallexample
27629
27630 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27631 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
27632 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
27633
27634 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
27635 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
27636 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
27637 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
27638
27639 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
27640 @c @subheading -data-assign
27641 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
27642 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
27643 @c set variable
27644 @c @subsubheading Example
27645 @c N.A.
27646
27647 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
27648 @findex -data-disassemble
27649
27650 @subsubheading Synopsis
27651
27652 @smallexample
27653 -data-disassemble
27654 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
27655 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
27656 -- @var{mode}
27657 @end smallexample
27658
27659 @noindent
27660 Where:
27661
27662 @table @samp
27663 @item @var{start-addr}
27664 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
27665 @item @var{end-addr}
27666 is the end address
27667 @item @var{filename}
27668 is the name of the file to disassemble
27669 @item @var{linenum}
27670 is the line number to disassemble around
27671 @item @var{lines}
27672 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
27673 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
27674 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
27675 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
27676 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
27677 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
27678 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
27679 are displayed.
27680 @item @var{mode}
27681 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
27682 disassembly).
27683 @end table
27684
27685 @subsubheading Result
27686
27687 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
27688
27689 @itemize @bullet
27690 @item Address
27691 @item Func-name
27692 @item Offset
27693 @item Instruction
27694 @end itemize
27695
27696 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
27697 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
27698
27699 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27700
27701 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
27702
27703 @subsubheading Example
27704
27705 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
27706
27707 @smallexample
27708 (gdb)
27709 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
27710 ^done,
27711 asm_insns=[
27712 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27713 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27714 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27715 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
27716 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
27717 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
27718 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
27719 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
27720 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
27721 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
27722 (gdb)
27723 @end smallexample
27724
27725 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
27726 @code{main}.
27727
27728 @smallexample
27729 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
27730 ^done,asm_insns=[
27731 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
27732 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
27733 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27734 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27735 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27736 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
27737 [@dots{}]
27738 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
27739 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
27740 (gdb)
27741 @end smallexample
27742
27743 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
27744
27745 @smallexample
27746 (gdb)
27747 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
27748 ^done,asm_insns=[
27749 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
27750 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
27751 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27752 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27753 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27754 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
27755 (gdb)
27756 @end smallexample
27757
27758 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
27759
27760 @smallexample
27761 (gdb)
27762 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
27763 ^done,asm_insns=[
27764 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
27765 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
27766 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
27767 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
27768 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
27769 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
27770 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
27771 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
27772 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27773 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27774 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27775 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
27776 (gdb)
27777 @end smallexample
27778
27779
27780 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
27781 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
27782
27783 @subsubheading Synopsis
27784
27785 @smallexample
27786 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
27787 @end smallexample
27788
27789 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
27790 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
27791 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
27792
27793 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27794
27795 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
27796 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
27797 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
27798
27799 @subsubheading Example
27800
27801 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
27802 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
27803 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
27804 output.
27805
27806 @smallexample
27807 211-data-evaluate-expression A
27808 211^done,value="1"
27809 (gdb)
27810 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
27811 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
27812 (gdb)
27813 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
27814 411^done,value="4"
27815 (gdb)
27816 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
27817 511^done,value="4"
27818 (gdb)
27819 @end smallexample
27820
27821
27822 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
27823 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
27824
27825 @subsubheading Synopsis
27826
27827 @smallexample
27828 -data-list-changed-registers
27829 @end smallexample
27830
27831 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
27832
27833 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27834
27835 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
27836 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
27837
27838 @subsubheading Example
27839
27840 On a PPC MBX board:
27841
27842 @smallexample
27843 (gdb)
27844 -exec-continue
27845 ^running
27846
27847 (gdb)
27848 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
27849 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
27850 line="5"@}
27851 (gdb)
27852 -data-list-changed-registers
27853 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
27854 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
27855 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
27856 (gdb)
27857 @end smallexample
27858
27859
27860 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
27861 @findex -data-list-register-names
27862
27863 @subsubheading Synopsis
27864
27865 @smallexample
27866 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
27867 @end smallexample
27868
27869 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
27870 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
27871 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
27872 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
27873 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
27874 include empty register names.
27875
27876 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27877
27878 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
27879 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
27880 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
27881
27882 @subsubheading Example
27883
27884 For the PPC MBX board:
27885 @smallexample
27886 (gdb)
27887 -data-list-register-names
27888 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
27889 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
27890 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
27891 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
27892 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
27893 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
27894 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
27895 (gdb)
27896 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
27897 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
27898 (gdb)
27899 @end smallexample
27900
27901 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
27902 @findex -data-list-register-values
27903
27904 @subsubheading Synopsis
27905
27906 @smallexample
27907 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
27908 @end smallexample
27909
27910 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
27911 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
27912 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
27913 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
27914
27915 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
27916
27917 @table @code
27918 @item x
27919 Hexadecimal
27920 @item o
27921 Octal
27922 @item t
27923 Binary
27924 @item d
27925 Decimal
27926 @item r
27927 Raw
27928 @item N
27929 Natural
27930 @end table
27931
27932 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27933
27934 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
27935 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
27936
27937 @subsubheading Example
27938
27939 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
27940 don't appear in the actual output):
27941
27942 @smallexample
27943 (gdb)
27944 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
27945 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
27946 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
27947 (gdb)
27948 -data-list-register-values x
27949 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
27950 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
27951 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
27952 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
27953 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
27954 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
27955 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
27956 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
27957 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
27958 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
27959 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
27960 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
27961 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
27962 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
27963 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
27964 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
27965 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
27966 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
27967 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
27968 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
27969 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
27970 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
27971 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
27972 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
27973 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
27974 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
27975 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
27976 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
27977 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
27978 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
27979 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
27980 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
27981 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
27982 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
27983 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
27984 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
27985 (gdb)
27986 @end smallexample
27987
27988
27989 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
27990 @findex -data-read-memory
27991
27992 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
27993
27994 @subsubheading Synopsis
27995
27996 @smallexample
27997 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
27998 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
27999 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
28000 @end smallexample
28001
28002 @noindent
28003 where:
28004
28005 @table @samp
28006 @item @var{address}
28007 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28008 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28009 quoted using the C convention.
28010
28011 @item @var{word-format}
28012 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
28013 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
28014 ,Output Formats}).
28015
28016 @item @var{word-size}
28017 The size of each memory word in bytes.
28018
28019 @item @var{nr-rows}
28020 The number of rows in the output table.
28021
28022 @item @var{nr-cols}
28023 The number of columns in the output table.
28024
28025 @item @var{aschar}
28026 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
28027 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
28028 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
28029 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
28030
28031 @item @var{byte-offset}
28032 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
28033 @end table
28034
28035 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
28036 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
28037 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
28038 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
28039 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
28040 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
28041 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
28042 @samp{addr}.
28043
28044 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
28045 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
28046 @samp{prev-page}.
28047
28048 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28049
28050 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
28051 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
28052
28053 @subsubheading Example
28054
28055 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
28056 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
28057 word. Display each word in hex.
28058
28059 @smallexample
28060 (gdb)
28061 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
28062 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
28063 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
28064 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
28065 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
28066 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
28067 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
28068 (gdb)
28069 @end smallexample
28070
28071 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
28072 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
28073
28074 @smallexample
28075 (gdb)
28076 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
28077 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
28078 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
28079 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
28080 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
28081 (gdb)
28082 @end smallexample
28083
28084 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
28085 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
28086 used as the non-printable character.
28087
28088 @smallexample
28089 (gdb)
28090 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
28091 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
28092 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
28093 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
28094 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28095 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28096 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28097 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28098 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
28099 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
28100 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
28101 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
28102 (gdb)
28103 @end smallexample
28104
28105 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
28106 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
28107
28108 @subsubheading Synopsis
28109
28110 @smallexample
28111 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
28112 @var{address} @var{count}
28113 @end smallexample
28114
28115 @noindent
28116 where:
28117
28118 @table @samp
28119 @item @var{address}
28120 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28121 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28122 quoted using the C convention.
28123
28124 @item @var{count}
28125 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
28126
28127 @item @var{byte-offset}
28128 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
28129 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
28130 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
28131 perform address arithmetics itself.
28132
28133 @end table
28134
28135 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
28136 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
28137 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
28138 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
28139 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
28140 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
28141
28142 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
28143 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
28144 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
28145 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
28146 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
28147 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
28148 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
28149 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
28150
28151 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
28152 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
28153 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
28154 and has the following fields:
28155
28156 @table @code
28157 @item begin
28158 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28159
28160 @item end
28161 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28162
28163 @item offset
28164 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
28165 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
28166
28167 @item contents
28168 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
28169
28170 @end table
28171
28172
28173
28174 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28175
28176 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
28177
28178 @subsubheading Example
28179
28180 @smallexample
28181 (gdb)
28182 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
28183 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
28184 end="0xbffff15e",
28185 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
28186 (gdb)
28187 @end smallexample
28188
28189
28190 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
28191 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
28192
28193 @subsubheading Synopsis
28194
28195 @smallexample
28196 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
28197 @end smallexample
28198
28199 @noindent
28200 where:
28201
28202 @table @samp
28203 @item @var{address}
28204 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28205 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28206 quoted using the C convention.
28207
28208 @item @var{contents}
28209 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
28210
28211 @end table
28212
28213 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28214
28215 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
28216
28217 @subsubheading Example
28218
28219 @smallexample
28220 (gdb)
28221 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
28222 ^done
28223 (gdb)
28224 @end smallexample
28225
28226
28227 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28228 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
28229 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
28230
28231 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
28232 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
28233
28234 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
28235 @findex -trace-find
28236
28237 @subsubheading Synopsis
28238
28239 @smallexample
28240 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
28241 @end smallexample
28242
28243 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
28244 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
28245 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
28246
28247 @table @samp
28248
28249 @item none
28250 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
28251
28252 @item frame-number
28253 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
28254 that index.
28255
28256 @item tracepoint-number
28257 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
28258 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
28259
28260 @item pc
28261 An address is required as parameter. Finds
28262 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
28263 address.
28264
28265 @item pc-inside-range
28266 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
28267 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
28268 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
28269
28270 @item pc-outside-range
28271 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
28272 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
28273 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
28274
28275 @item line
28276 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
28277 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
28278 the specified location.
28279
28280 @end table
28281
28282 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
28283 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
28284
28285 @table @samp
28286 @item found
28287 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
28288 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
28289
28290 @item traceframe
28291 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
28292 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
28293
28294 @item tracepoint
28295 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
28296 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
28297
28298 @item frame
28299 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
28300 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
28301 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
28302
28303 @end table
28304
28305 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28306
28307 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
28308
28309 @subheading -trace-define-variable
28310 @findex -trace-define-variable
28311
28312 @subsubheading Synopsis
28313
28314 @smallexample
28315 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
28316 @end smallexample
28317
28318 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
28319 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
28320 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
28321 with the @samp{$} character.
28322
28323 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28324
28325 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
28326
28327 @subheading -trace-list-variables
28328 @findex -trace-list-variables
28329
28330 @subsubheading Synopsis
28331
28332 @smallexample
28333 -trace-list-variables
28334 @end smallexample
28335
28336 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
28337 table has the following fields:
28338
28339 @table @samp
28340 @item name
28341 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
28342
28343 @item initial
28344 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
28345 field is always present.
28346
28347 @item current
28348 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
28349 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
28350 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
28351 presently running.
28352
28353 @end table
28354
28355 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28356
28357 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
28358
28359 @subsubheading Example
28360
28361 @smallexample
28362 (gdb)
28363 -trace-list-variables
28364 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
28365 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
28366 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
28367 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
28368 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
28369 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
28370 (gdb)
28371 @end smallexample
28372
28373 @subheading -trace-save
28374 @findex -trace-save
28375
28376 @subsubheading Synopsis
28377
28378 @smallexample
28379 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
28380 @end smallexample
28381
28382 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
28383 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
28384 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
28385 to perform the save.
28386
28387 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28388
28389 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
28390
28391
28392 @subheading -trace-start
28393 @findex -trace-start
28394
28395 @subsubheading Synopsis
28396
28397 @smallexample
28398 -trace-start
28399 @end smallexample
28400
28401 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
28402 have any fields.
28403
28404 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28405
28406 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
28407
28408 @subheading -trace-status
28409 @findex -trace-status
28410
28411 @subsubheading Synopsis
28412
28413 @smallexample
28414 -trace-status
28415 @end smallexample
28416
28417 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
28418 the following fields:
28419
28420 @table @samp
28421
28422 @item supported
28423 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
28424 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
28425 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
28426 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
28427 started. This field is always present.
28428
28429 @item running
28430 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
28431 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
28432 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
28433
28434 @item stop-reason
28435 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
28436 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
28437 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
28438 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
28439 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
28440 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
28441 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
28442 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
28443 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
28444
28445 @item stopping-tracepoint
28446 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
28447 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
28448 @samp{passcount}.
28449
28450 @item frames
28451 @itemx frames-created
28452 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
28453 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
28454 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
28455 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
28456
28457 @item buffer-size
28458 @itemx buffer-free
28459 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
28460 remaining space. These fields are optional.
28461
28462 @item circular
28463 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
28464 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
28465 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
28466 and may fill up.
28467
28468 @item disconnected
28469 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
28470 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
28471 that the trace run will stop.
28472
28473 @end table
28474
28475 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28476
28477 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
28478
28479 @subheading -trace-stop
28480 @findex -trace-stop
28481
28482 @subsubheading Synopsis
28483
28484 @smallexample
28485 -trace-stop
28486 @end smallexample
28487
28488 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
28489 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
28490 @samp{running} fields are not output.
28491
28492 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28493
28494 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
28495
28496
28497 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28498 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
28499 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
28500
28501
28502 @ignore
28503 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
28504 @findex -symbol-info-address
28505
28506 @subsubheading Synopsis
28507
28508 @smallexample
28509 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
28510 @end smallexample
28511
28512 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
28513
28514 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28515
28516 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
28517
28518 @subsubheading Example
28519 N.A.
28520
28521
28522 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
28523 @findex -symbol-info-file
28524
28525 @subsubheading Synopsis
28526
28527 @smallexample
28528 -symbol-info-file
28529 @end smallexample
28530
28531 Show the file for the symbol.
28532
28533 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28534
28535 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
28536 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
28537
28538 @subsubheading Example
28539 N.A.
28540
28541
28542 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
28543 @findex -symbol-info-function
28544
28545 @subsubheading Synopsis
28546
28547 @smallexample
28548 -symbol-info-function
28549 @end smallexample
28550
28551 Show which function the symbol lives in.
28552
28553 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28554
28555 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
28556
28557 @subsubheading Example
28558 N.A.
28559
28560
28561 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
28562 @findex -symbol-info-line
28563
28564 @subsubheading Synopsis
28565
28566 @smallexample
28567 -symbol-info-line
28568 @end smallexample
28569
28570 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
28571
28572 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28573
28574 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
28575 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
28576
28577 @subsubheading Example
28578 N.A.
28579
28580
28581 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
28582 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
28583
28584 @subsubheading Synopsis
28585
28586 @smallexample
28587 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
28588 @end smallexample
28589
28590 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
28591
28592 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28593
28594 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
28595
28596 @subsubheading Example
28597 N.A.
28598
28599
28600 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
28601 @findex -symbol-list-functions
28602
28603 @subsubheading Synopsis
28604
28605 @smallexample
28606 -symbol-list-functions
28607 @end smallexample
28608
28609 List the functions in the executable.
28610
28611 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28612
28613 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
28614 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
28615
28616 @subsubheading Example
28617 N.A.
28618 @end ignore
28619
28620
28621 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
28622 @findex -symbol-list-lines
28623
28624 @subsubheading Synopsis
28625
28626 @smallexample
28627 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
28628 @end smallexample
28629
28630 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
28631 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
28632 ascending PC order.
28633
28634 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28635
28636 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
28637
28638 @subsubheading Example
28639 @smallexample
28640 (gdb)
28641 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
28642 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
28643 (gdb)
28644 @end smallexample
28645
28646
28647 @ignore
28648 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
28649 @findex -symbol-list-types
28650
28651 @subsubheading Synopsis
28652
28653 @smallexample
28654 -symbol-list-types
28655 @end smallexample
28656
28657 List all the type names.
28658
28659 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28660
28661 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
28662 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
28663
28664 @subsubheading Example
28665 N.A.
28666
28667
28668 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
28669 @findex -symbol-list-variables
28670
28671 @subsubheading Synopsis
28672
28673 @smallexample
28674 -symbol-list-variables
28675 @end smallexample
28676
28677 List all the global and static variable names.
28678
28679 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28680
28681 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
28682
28683 @subsubheading Example
28684 N.A.
28685
28686
28687 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
28688 @findex -symbol-locate
28689
28690 @subsubheading Synopsis
28691
28692 @smallexample
28693 -symbol-locate
28694 @end smallexample
28695
28696 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28697
28698 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
28699
28700 @subsubheading Example
28701 N.A.
28702
28703
28704 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
28705 @findex -symbol-type
28706
28707 @subsubheading Synopsis
28708
28709 @smallexample
28710 -symbol-type @var{variable}
28711 @end smallexample
28712
28713 Show type of @var{variable}.
28714
28715 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28716
28717 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
28718 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
28719
28720 @subsubheading Example
28721 N.A.
28722 @end ignore
28723
28724
28725 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28726 @node GDB/MI File Commands
28727 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
28728
28729 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
28730 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
28731
28732 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
28733 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
28734
28735 @subsubheading Synopsis
28736
28737 @smallexample
28738 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
28739 @end smallexample
28740
28741 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
28742 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
28743 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
28744 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
28745 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
28746 notification.
28747
28748 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28749
28750 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
28751
28752 @subsubheading Example
28753
28754 @smallexample
28755 (gdb)
28756 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
28757 ^done
28758 (gdb)
28759 @end smallexample
28760
28761
28762 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
28763 @findex -file-exec-file
28764
28765 @subsubheading Synopsis
28766
28767 @smallexample
28768 -file-exec-file @var{file}
28769 @end smallexample
28770
28771 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
28772 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
28773 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
28774 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
28775 notification.
28776
28777 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28778
28779 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
28780
28781 @subsubheading Example
28782
28783 @smallexample
28784 (gdb)
28785 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
28786 ^done
28787 (gdb)
28788 @end smallexample
28789
28790
28791 @ignore
28792 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
28793 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
28794
28795 @subsubheading Synopsis
28796
28797 @smallexample
28798 -file-list-exec-sections
28799 @end smallexample
28800
28801 List the sections of the current executable file.
28802
28803 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28804
28805 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
28806 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
28807 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
28808
28809 @subsubheading Example
28810 N.A.
28811 @end ignore
28812
28813
28814 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
28815 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
28816
28817 @subsubheading Synopsis
28818
28819 @smallexample
28820 -file-list-exec-source-file
28821 @end smallexample
28822
28823 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
28824 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
28825 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
28826 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
28827
28828 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28829
28830 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
28831
28832 @subsubheading Example
28833
28834 @smallexample
28835 (gdb)
28836 123-file-list-exec-source-file
28837 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
28838 (gdb)
28839 @end smallexample
28840
28841
28842 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
28843 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
28844
28845 @subsubheading Synopsis
28846
28847 @smallexample
28848 -file-list-exec-source-files
28849 @end smallexample
28850
28851 List the source files for the current executable.
28852
28853 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
28854 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
28855
28856 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28857
28858 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
28859 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
28860
28861 @subsubheading Example
28862 @smallexample
28863 (gdb)
28864 -file-list-exec-source-files
28865 ^done,files=[
28866 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
28867 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
28868 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
28869 (gdb)
28870 @end smallexample
28871
28872 @ignore
28873 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
28874 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
28875
28876 @subsubheading Synopsis
28877
28878 @smallexample
28879 -file-list-shared-libraries
28880 @end smallexample
28881
28882 List the shared libraries in the program.
28883
28884 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28885
28886 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
28887
28888 @subsubheading Example
28889 N.A.
28890
28891
28892 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
28893 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
28894
28895 @subsubheading Synopsis
28896
28897 @smallexample
28898 -file-list-symbol-files
28899 @end smallexample
28900
28901 List symbol files.
28902
28903 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28904
28905 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
28906
28907 @subsubheading Example
28908 N.A.
28909 @end ignore
28910
28911
28912 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
28913 @findex -file-symbol-file
28914
28915 @subsubheading Synopsis
28916
28917 @smallexample
28918 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
28919 @end smallexample
28920
28921 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
28922 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
28923 produced, except for a completion notification.
28924
28925 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28926
28927 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
28928
28929 @subsubheading Example
28930
28931 @smallexample
28932 (gdb)
28933 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
28934 ^done
28935 (gdb)
28936 @end smallexample
28937
28938 @ignore
28939 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28940 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
28941 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
28942
28943 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
28944
28945 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
28946
28947 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
28948
28949 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
28950
28951 @c @subheading -overlay-map
28952
28953 @c @subheading -overlay-off
28954
28955 @c @subheading -overlay-on
28956
28957 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
28958
28959 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28960 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
28961 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
28962
28963 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
28964
28965 @c @subheading -signal-handle
28966
28967 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
28968
28969 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
28970 @end ignore
28971
28972
28973 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28974 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
28975 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
28976
28977
28978 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
28979 @findex -target-attach
28980
28981 @subsubheading Synopsis
28982
28983 @smallexample
28984 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
28985 @end smallexample
28986
28987 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
28988 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
28989 group, the id previously returned by
28990 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
28991
28992 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28993
28994 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
28995
28996 @subsubheading Example
28997 @smallexample
28998 (gdb)
28999 -target-attach 34
29000 =thread-created,id="1"
29001 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
29002 ^done
29003 (gdb)
29004 @end smallexample
29005
29006 @ignore
29007 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
29008 @findex -target-compare-sections
29009
29010 @subsubheading Synopsis
29011
29012 @smallexample
29013 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
29014 @end smallexample
29015
29016 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
29017 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
29018
29019 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29020
29021 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
29022
29023 @subsubheading Example
29024 N.A.
29025 @end ignore
29026
29027
29028 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
29029 @findex -target-detach
29030
29031 @subsubheading Synopsis
29032
29033 @smallexample
29034 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
29035 @end smallexample
29036
29037 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
29038 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
29039 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
29040
29041 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29042
29043 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
29044
29045 @subsubheading Example
29046
29047 @smallexample
29048 (gdb)
29049 -target-detach
29050 ^done
29051 (gdb)
29052 @end smallexample
29053
29054
29055 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
29056 @findex -target-disconnect
29057
29058 @subsubheading Synopsis
29059
29060 @smallexample
29061 -target-disconnect
29062 @end smallexample
29063
29064 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
29065 generally not resumed.
29066
29067 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29068
29069 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
29070
29071 @subsubheading Example
29072
29073 @smallexample
29074 (gdb)
29075 -target-disconnect
29076 ^done
29077 (gdb)
29078 @end smallexample
29079
29080
29081 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
29082 @findex -target-download
29083
29084 @subsubheading Synopsis
29085
29086 @smallexample
29087 -target-download
29088 @end smallexample
29089
29090 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
29091 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
29092
29093 @table @samp
29094 @item section
29095 The name of the section.
29096 @item section-sent
29097 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
29098 @item section-size
29099 The size of the section.
29100 @item total-sent
29101 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
29102 @item total-size
29103 The size of the overall executable to download.
29104 @end table
29105
29106 @noindent
29107 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
29108 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
29109
29110 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
29111 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
29112
29113 @table @samp
29114 @item section
29115 The name of the section.
29116 @item section-size
29117 The size of the section.
29118 @item total-size
29119 The size of the overall executable to download.
29120 @end table
29121
29122 @noindent
29123 At the end, a summary is printed.
29124
29125 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29126
29127 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
29128
29129 @subsubheading Example
29130
29131 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
29132 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
29133
29134 @smallexample
29135 (gdb)
29136 -target-download
29137 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
29138 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
29139 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
29140 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
29141 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
29142 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
29143 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
29144 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
29145 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
29146 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
29147 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
29148 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
29149 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
29150 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
29151 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
29152 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
29153 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
29154 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
29155 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
29156 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
29157 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
29158 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
29159 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
29160 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
29161 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
29162 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
29163 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
29164 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29165 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29166 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
29167 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
29168 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
29169 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
29170 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
29171 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
29172 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
29173 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
29174 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
29175 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
29176 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
29177 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
29178 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
29179 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
29180 write-rate="429"
29181 (gdb)
29182 @end smallexample
29183
29184
29185 @ignore
29186 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
29187 @findex -target-exec-status
29188
29189 @subsubheading Synopsis
29190
29191 @smallexample
29192 -target-exec-status
29193 @end smallexample
29194
29195 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
29196 not, for instance).
29197
29198 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29199
29200 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
29201
29202 @subsubheading Example
29203 N.A.
29204
29205
29206 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
29207 @findex -target-list-available-targets
29208
29209 @subsubheading Synopsis
29210
29211 @smallexample
29212 -target-list-available-targets
29213 @end smallexample
29214
29215 List the possible targets to connect to.
29216
29217 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29218
29219 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
29220
29221 @subsubheading Example
29222 N.A.
29223
29224
29225 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
29226 @findex -target-list-current-targets
29227
29228 @subsubheading Synopsis
29229
29230 @smallexample
29231 -target-list-current-targets
29232 @end smallexample
29233
29234 Describe the current target.
29235
29236 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29237
29238 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
29239 other things).
29240
29241 @subsubheading Example
29242 N.A.
29243
29244
29245 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
29246 @findex -target-list-parameters
29247
29248 @subsubheading Synopsis
29249
29250 @smallexample
29251 -target-list-parameters
29252 @end smallexample
29253
29254 @c ????
29255 @end ignore
29256
29257 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29258
29259 No equivalent.
29260
29261 @subsubheading Example
29262 N.A.
29263
29264
29265 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
29266 @findex -target-select
29267
29268 @subsubheading Synopsis
29269
29270 @smallexample
29271 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
29272 @end smallexample
29273
29274 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
29275
29276 @table @samp
29277 @item @var{type}
29278 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
29279 @item @var{parameters}
29280 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
29281 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
29282 @end table
29283
29284 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
29285 which the target program is, in the following form:
29286
29287 @smallexample
29288 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
29289 args=[@var{arg list}]
29290 @end smallexample
29291
29292 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29293
29294 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
29295
29296 @subsubheading Example
29297
29298 @smallexample
29299 (gdb)
29300 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
29301 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
29302 (gdb)
29303 @end smallexample
29304
29305 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29306 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
29307 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
29308
29309
29310 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
29311 @findex -target-file-put
29312
29313 @subsubheading Synopsis
29314
29315 @smallexample
29316 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
29317 @end smallexample
29318
29319 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
29320 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
29321
29322 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29323
29324 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
29325
29326 @subsubheading Example
29327
29328 @smallexample
29329 (gdb)
29330 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
29331 ^done
29332 (gdb)
29333 @end smallexample
29334
29335
29336 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
29337 @findex -target-file-get
29338
29339 @subsubheading Synopsis
29340
29341 @smallexample
29342 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
29343 @end smallexample
29344
29345 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
29346 on the host system.
29347
29348 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29349
29350 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
29351
29352 @subsubheading Example
29353
29354 @smallexample
29355 (gdb)
29356 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
29357 ^done
29358 (gdb)
29359 @end smallexample
29360
29361
29362 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
29363 @findex -target-file-delete
29364
29365 @subsubheading Synopsis
29366
29367 @smallexample
29368 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
29369 @end smallexample
29370
29371 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
29372
29373 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29374
29375 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
29376
29377 @subsubheading Example
29378
29379 @smallexample
29380 (gdb)
29381 -target-file-delete remotefile
29382 ^done
29383 (gdb)
29384 @end smallexample
29385
29386
29387 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29388 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
29389 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
29390
29391 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
29392
29393 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
29394 @findex -gdb-exit
29395
29396 @subsubheading Synopsis
29397
29398 @smallexample
29399 -gdb-exit
29400 @end smallexample
29401
29402 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
29403
29404 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29405
29406 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
29407
29408 @subsubheading Example
29409
29410 @smallexample
29411 (gdb)
29412 -gdb-exit
29413 ^exit
29414 @end smallexample
29415
29416
29417 @ignore
29418 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
29419 @findex -exec-abort
29420
29421 @subsubheading Synopsis
29422
29423 @smallexample
29424 -exec-abort
29425 @end smallexample
29426
29427 Kill the inferior running program.
29428
29429 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29430
29431 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
29432
29433 @subsubheading Example
29434 N.A.
29435 @end ignore
29436
29437
29438 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
29439 @findex -gdb-set
29440
29441 @subsubheading Synopsis
29442
29443 @smallexample
29444 -gdb-set
29445 @end smallexample
29446
29447 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
29448 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
29449
29450 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29451
29452 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
29453
29454 @subsubheading Example
29455
29456 @smallexample
29457 (gdb)
29458 -gdb-set $foo=3
29459 ^done
29460 (gdb)
29461 @end smallexample
29462
29463
29464 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
29465 @findex -gdb-show
29466
29467 @subsubheading Synopsis
29468
29469 @smallexample
29470 -gdb-show
29471 @end smallexample
29472
29473 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
29474
29475 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29476
29477 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
29478
29479 @subsubheading Example
29480
29481 @smallexample
29482 (gdb)
29483 -gdb-show annotate
29484 ^done,value="0"
29485 (gdb)
29486 @end smallexample
29487
29488 @c @subheading -gdb-source
29489
29490
29491 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
29492 @findex -gdb-version
29493
29494 @subsubheading Synopsis
29495
29496 @smallexample
29497 -gdb-version
29498 @end smallexample
29499
29500 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
29501
29502 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29503
29504 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
29505 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
29506
29507 @subsubheading Example
29508
29509 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
29510 @c box in TeX.
29511 @smallexample
29512 (gdb)
29513 -gdb-version
29514 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
29515 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
29516 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
29517 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
29518 ~ certain conditions.
29519 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
29520 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
29521 ~ details.
29522 ~This GDB was configured as
29523 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
29524 ^done
29525 (gdb)
29526 @end smallexample
29527
29528 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
29529 @findex -list-features
29530
29531 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
29532 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
29533 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
29534 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
29535 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
29536 startup.
29537
29538 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
29539 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
29540 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
29541 is given below.
29542
29543 Example output:
29544
29545 @smallexample
29546 (gdb) -list-features
29547 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
29548 @end smallexample
29549
29550 The current list of features is:
29551
29552 @table @samp
29553 @item frozen-varobjs
29554 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
29555 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
29556 of @code{-varobj-create}.
29557 @item pending-breakpoints
29558 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
29559 @item python
29560 Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
29561 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
29562 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
29563 @item thread-info
29564 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
29565 @item data-read-memory-bytes
29566 Indicates presense of the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
29567 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
29568
29569 @end table
29570
29571 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
29572 @findex -list-target-features
29573
29574 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
29575 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
29576 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
29577 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
29578 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
29579 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
29580 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
29581 Example output:
29582
29583 @smallexample
29584 (gdb) -list-features
29585 ^done,result=["async"]
29586 @end smallexample
29587
29588 The current list of features is:
29589
29590 @table @samp
29591 @item async
29592 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
29593 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
29594 while the target is running.
29595
29596 @item reverse
29597 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
29598 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
29599
29600 @end table
29601
29602 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
29603 @findex -list-thread-groups
29604
29605 @subheading Synopsis
29606
29607 @smallexample
29608 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
29609 @end smallexample
29610
29611 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
29612 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
29613 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
29614 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
29615 top-level thread groups.
29616
29617 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
29618 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
29619 available on the target.
29620
29621 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
29622 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
29623 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
29624 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
29625 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
29626 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
29627 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
29628 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
29629
29630 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
29631 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
29632 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
29633 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
29634 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
29635 @samp{threads} field.
29636
29637 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
29638 the following caveats:
29639
29640 @itemize @bullet
29641 @item
29642 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
29643 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
29644 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
29645
29646 @item
29647 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
29648 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
29649 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
29650 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
29651 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
29652 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
29653
29654 @end itemize
29655
29656 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
29657 have the following fields:
29658
29659 @table @code
29660 @item id
29661 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
29662 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
29663 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
29664
29665 @item type
29666 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
29667 valid type.
29668
29669 @item pid
29670 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
29671 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
29672
29673 @item num_children
29674 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
29675 absent for an available thread group.
29676
29677 @item threads
29678 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
29679 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
29680 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
29681
29682 @item cores
29683 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
29684 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
29685 such information is not available.
29686
29687 @item executable
29688 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
29689 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
29690 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
29691
29692 @end table
29693
29694 @subheading Example
29695
29696 @smallexample
29697 @value{GDBP}
29698 -list-thread-groups
29699 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
29700 -list-thread-groups 17
29701 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
29702 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
29703 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
29704 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
29705 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
29706 -list-thread-groups --available
29707 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
29708 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
29709 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
29710 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
29711 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
29712 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
29713 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
29714 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
29715 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
29716 @end smallexample
29717
29718
29719 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
29720 @findex -add-inferior
29721
29722 @subheading Synopsis
29723
29724 @smallexample
29725 -add-inferior
29726 @end smallexample
29727
29728 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
29729 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
29730 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
29731 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
29732 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
29733 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
29734
29735 @subheading Example
29736
29737 @smallexample
29738 @value{GDBP}
29739 -add-inferior
29740 ^done,thread-group="i3"
29741 @end smallexample
29742
29743 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
29744 @findex -interpreter-exec
29745
29746 @subheading Synopsis
29747
29748 @smallexample
29749 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
29750 @end smallexample
29751 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
29752
29753 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
29754
29755 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
29756
29757 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
29758
29759 @subheading Example
29760
29761 @smallexample
29762 (gdb)
29763 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
29764 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
29765 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
29766 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
29767 ^done
29768 (gdb)
29769 @end smallexample
29770
29771 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
29772 @findex -inferior-tty-set
29773
29774 @subheading Synopsis
29775
29776 @smallexample
29777 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
29778 @end smallexample
29779
29780 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
29781
29782 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
29783
29784 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
29785
29786 @subheading Example
29787
29788 @smallexample
29789 (gdb)
29790 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
29791 ^done
29792 (gdb)
29793 @end smallexample
29794
29795 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
29796 @findex -inferior-tty-show
29797
29798 @subheading Synopsis
29799
29800 @smallexample
29801 -inferior-tty-show
29802 @end smallexample
29803
29804 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
29805
29806 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
29807
29808 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
29809
29810 @subheading Example
29811
29812 @smallexample
29813 (gdb)
29814 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
29815 ^done
29816 (gdb)
29817 -inferior-tty-show
29818 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
29819 (gdb)
29820 @end smallexample
29821
29822 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
29823 @findex -enable-timings
29824
29825 @subheading Synopsis
29826
29827 @smallexample
29828 -enable-timings [yes | no]
29829 @end smallexample
29830
29831 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
29832 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
29833 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
29834 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
29835
29836 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
29837
29838 No equivalent.
29839
29840 @subheading Example
29841
29842 @smallexample
29843 (gdb)
29844 -enable-timings
29845 ^done
29846 (gdb)
29847 -break-insert main
29848 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29849 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
29850 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
29851 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
29852 (gdb)
29853 -enable-timings no
29854 ^done
29855 (gdb)
29856 -exec-run
29857 ^running
29858 (gdb)
29859 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
29860 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
29861 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
29862 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
29863 (gdb)
29864 @end smallexample
29865
29866 @node Annotations
29867 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
29868
29869 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
29870 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
29871 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
29872 relatively high level.
29873
29874 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
29875 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
29876
29877 @ignore
29878 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
29879 @end ignore
29880
29881 @menu
29882 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
29883 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
29884 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
29885 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
29886 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
29887 * Annotations for Running::
29888 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
29889 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
29890 @end menu
29891
29892 @node Annotations Overview
29893 @section What is an Annotation?
29894 @cindex annotations
29895
29896 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
29897 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
29898 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
29899 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
29900 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
29901 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
29902 cannot contain newline characters.
29903
29904 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
29905 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
29906 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
29907 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
29908 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
29909 means those three characters as output.
29910
29911 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
29912 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
29913 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
29914 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
29915 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
29916 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
29917 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
29918 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
29919 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
29920
29921 @table @code
29922 @kindex set annotate
29923 @item set annotate @var{level}
29924 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
29925 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
29926
29927 @item show annotate
29928 @kindex show annotate
29929 Show the current annotation level.
29930 @end table
29931
29932 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
29933
29934 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
29935
29936 @smallexample
29937 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
29938 GNU gdb 6.0
29939 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
29940 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
29941 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
29942 under certain conditions.
29943 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
29944 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
29945 for details.
29946 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
29947
29948 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
29949 (@value{GDBP})
29950 ^Z^Zprompt
29951 @kbd{quit}
29952
29953 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
29954 $
29955 @end smallexample
29956
29957 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
29958 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
29959 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
29960 output from @value{GDBN}.
29961
29962 @node Server Prefix
29963 @section The Server Prefix
29964 @cindex server prefix
29965
29966 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
29967 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
29968 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
29969 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
29970 a transparent manner.
29971
29972 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
29973 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
29974 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
29975 @code{print} command.
29976
29977 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
29978 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
29979
29980 @node Prompting
29981 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
29982
29983 @cindex annotations for prompts
29984 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
29985 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
29986 over, etc.
29987
29988 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
29989 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
29990 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
29991 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
29992 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
29993 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
29994 features the following annotations:
29995
29996 @smallexample
29997 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
29998 ^Z^Zprompt
29999 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
30000 @end smallexample
30001
30002 The input types are
30003
30004 @table @code
30005 @findex pre-prompt annotation
30006 @findex prompt annotation
30007 @findex post-prompt annotation
30008 @item prompt
30009 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
30010
30011 @findex pre-commands annotation
30012 @findex commands annotation
30013 @findex post-commands annotation
30014 @item commands
30015 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
30016 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
30017
30018 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
30019 @findex overload-choice annotation
30020 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
30021 @item overload-choice
30022 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
30023
30024 @findex pre-query annotation
30025 @findex query annotation
30026 @findex post-query annotation
30027 @item query
30028 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
30029
30030 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
30031 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
30032 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
30033 @item prompt-for-continue
30034 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
30035 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
30036 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
30037 presence of annotations.
30038 @end table
30039
30040 @node Errors
30041 @section Errors
30042 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
30043
30044 @findex quit annotation
30045 @smallexample
30046 ^Z^Zquit
30047 @end smallexample
30048
30049 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
30050
30051 @findex error annotation
30052 @smallexample
30053 ^Z^Zerror
30054 @end smallexample
30055
30056 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
30057
30058 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
30059 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
30060 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
30061 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
30062 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
30063 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
30064 to the top level.
30065
30066 @findex error-begin annotation
30067 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
30068
30069 @smallexample
30070 ^Z^Zerror-begin
30071 @end smallexample
30072
30073 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
30074 message.
30075
30076 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
30077 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
30078 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
30079
30080 @node Invalidation
30081 @section Invalidation Notices
30082
30083 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
30084 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
30085 changed.
30086
30087 @table @code
30088 @findex frames-invalid annotation
30089 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
30090
30091 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
30092 have changed.
30093
30094 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
30095 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
30096
30097 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
30098 deleted a breakpoint.
30099 @end table
30100
30101 @node Annotations for Running
30102 @section Running the Program
30103 @cindex annotations for running programs
30104
30105 @findex starting annotation
30106 @findex stopping annotation
30107 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
30108 @code{step} or @code{continue},
30109
30110 @smallexample
30111 ^Z^Zstarting
30112 @end smallexample
30113
30114 is output. When the program stops,
30115
30116 @smallexample
30117 ^Z^Zstopped
30118 @end smallexample
30119
30120 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
30121 annotations describe how the program stopped.
30122
30123 @table @code
30124 @findex exited annotation
30125 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
30126 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
30127 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
30128
30129 @findex signalled annotation
30130 @findex signal-name annotation
30131 @findex signal-name-end annotation
30132 @findex signal-string annotation
30133 @findex signal-string-end annotation
30134 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
30135 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
30136 annotation continues:
30137
30138 @smallexample
30139 @var{intro-text}
30140 ^Z^Zsignal-name
30141 @var{name}
30142 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
30143 @var{middle-text}
30144 ^Z^Zsignal-string
30145 @var{string}
30146 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
30147 @var{end-text}
30148 @end smallexample
30149
30150 @noindent
30151 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
30152 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
30153 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
30154 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
30155 user's benefit and have no particular format.
30156
30157 @findex signal annotation
30158 @item ^Z^Zsignal
30159 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
30160 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
30161 terminated with it.
30162
30163 @findex breakpoint annotation
30164 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
30165 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
30166
30167 @findex watchpoint annotation
30168 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
30169 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
30170 @end table
30171
30172 @node Source Annotations
30173 @section Displaying Source
30174 @cindex annotations for source display
30175
30176 @findex source annotation
30177 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
30178
30179 @smallexample
30180 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
30181 @end smallexample
30182
30183 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
30184 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
30185 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
30186 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
30187 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
30188 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
30189 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
30190 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
30191 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
30192 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
30193 depend on the language).
30194
30195 @node JIT Interface
30196 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
30197 @cindex just-in-time compilation
30198 @cindex JIT compilation interface
30199
30200 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
30201 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
30202 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
30203 performance while maintaining platform independence.
30204
30205 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
30206 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
30207 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
30208 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
30209 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
30210 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
30211
30212 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
30213 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
30214 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
30215 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
30216 LLVM JIT.
30217
30218 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
30219 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
30220 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
30221 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
30222 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
30223 out about additional code.
30224
30225 @menu
30226 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
30227 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
30228 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
30229 @end menu
30230
30231 @node Declarations
30232 @section JIT Declarations
30233
30234 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
30235 implement the interface:
30236
30237 @smallexample
30238 typedef enum
30239 @{
30240 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
30241 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
30242 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
30243 @} jit_actions_t;
30244
30245 struct jit_code_entry
30246 @{
30247 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
30248 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
30249 const char *symfile_addr;
30250 uint64_t symfile_size;
30251 @};
30252
30253 struct jit_descriptor
30254 @{
30255 uint32_t version;
30256 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
30257 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
30258 uint32_t action_flag;
30259 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
30260 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
30261 @};
30262
30263 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
30264 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
30265
30266 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
30267 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
30268 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
30269 @end smallexample
30270
30271 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
30272 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
30273 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
30274
30275 @node Registering Code
30276 @section Registering Code
30277
30278 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
30279
30280 @itemize @bullet
30281 @item
30282 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
30283 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
30284
30285 @item
30286 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
30287 file.
30288
30289 @item
30290 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
30291
30292 @item
30293 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
30294
30295 @item
30296 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
30297 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
30298 @end itemize
30299
30300 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
30301 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
30302 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
30303 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
30304
30305 @node Unregistering Code
30306 @section Unregistering Code
30307
30308 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
30309
30310 @itemize @bullet
30311 @item
30312 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
30313
30314 @item
30315 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
30316
30317 @item
30318 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
30319 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
30320 @end itemize
30321
30322 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
30323 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
30324
30325 @node GDB Bugs
30326 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
30327 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
30328 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
30329
30330 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
30331
30332 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
30333 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
30334 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
30335 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
30336
30337 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
30338 information that enables us to fix the bug.
30339
30340 @menu
30341 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
30342 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
30343 @end menu
30344
30345 @node Bug Criteria
30346 @section Have You Found a Bug?
30347 @cindex bug criteria
30348
30349 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
30350
30351 @itemize @bullet
30352 @cindex fatal signal
30353 @cindex debugger crash
30354 @cindex crash of debugger
30355 @item
30356 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
30357 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
30358
30359 @cindex error on valid input
30360 @item
30361 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
30362 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
30363 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
30364
30365 @cindex invalid input
30366 @item
30367 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
30368 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
30369 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
30370 for traditional practice''.
30371
30372 @item
30373 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
30374 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
30375 @end itemize
30376
30377 @node Bug Reporting
30378 @section How to Report Bugs
30379 @cindex bug reports
30380 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
30381
30382 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
30383 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
30384 contact that organization first.
30385
30386 You can find contact information for many support companies and
30387 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
30388 distribution.
30389 @c should add a web page ref...
30390
30391 @ifset BUGURL
30392 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
30393 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
30394 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
30395 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
30396 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
30397 be used.
30398
30399 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
30400 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
30401 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
30402 @samp{bug-gdb}.
30403
30404 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
30405 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
30406 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
30407 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
30408 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
30409 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
30410 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
30411 bug reports to the mailing list.
30412 @end ifset
30413 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
30414 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
30415 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
30416 @end ifclear
30417 @end ifset
30418
30419 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
30420 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
30421 fact or leave it out, state it!
30422
30423 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
30424 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
30425 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
30426 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
30427 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
30428 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
30429 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
30430 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
30431 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
30432
30433 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
30434 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
30435 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
30436 self-contained.
30437
30438 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
30439 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
30440 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
30441 bugs properly.
30442
30443 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
30444
30445 @itemize @bullet
30446 @item
30447 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
30448 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
30449 version}.
30450
30451 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
30452 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
30453
30454 @item
30455 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
30456 version number.
30457
30458 @item
30459 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
30460 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
30461
30462 @item
30463 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
30464 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
30465 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
30466 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
30467 those compilers.
30468
30469 @item
30470 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
30471 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
30472 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
30473 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
30474
30475 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
30476 and then we might not encounter the bug.
30477
30478 @item
30479 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
30480 reproduce the bug.
30481
30482 @item
30483 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
30484 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
30485
30486 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
30487 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
30488 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
30489 a chance to make a mistake.
30490
30491 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
30492 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
30493 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
30494 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
30495 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
30496 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
30497 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
30498 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
30499
30500 @pindex script
30501 @cindex recording a session script
30502 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
30503 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
30504 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
30505 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
30506
30507 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
30508 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
30509
30510 @item
30511 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
30512 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
30513 it by context, not by line number.
30514
30515 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
30516 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
30517
30518 @end itemize
30519
30520 Here are some things that are not necessary:
30521
30522 @itemize @bullet
30523 @item
30524 A description of the envelope of the bug.
30525
30526 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
30527 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
30528 changes will not affect it.
30529
30530 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
30531 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
30532 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
30533 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
30534
30535 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
30536 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
30537 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
30538 less time, and so on.
30539
30540 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
30541 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
30542
30543 @item
30544 A patch for the bug.
30545
30546 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
30547 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
30548 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
30549 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
30550
30551 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
30552 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
30553 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
30554 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
30555
30556 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
30557 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
30558 help us to understand.
30559
30560 @item
30561 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
30562
30563 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
30564 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
30565 @end itemize
30566
30567 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
30568 @c and consists of the two following files:
30569 @c rluser.texinfo
30570 @c inc-hist.texinfo
30571 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
30572 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
30573 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
30574 @include rluser.texi
30575 @include inc-hist.texinfo
30576 @end ifclear
30577
30578
30579 @node Formatting Documentation
30580 @appendix Formatting Documentation
30581
30582 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
30583 @cindex reference card
30584 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
30585 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
30586 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
30587 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
30588 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
30589 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
30590
30591 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
30592 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
30593
30594 @smallexample
30595 make refcard.dvi
30596 @end smallexample
30597
30598 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
30599 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
30600 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
30601 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
30602 your @sc{dvi} output program.
30603
30604 @cindex documentation
30605
30606 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
30607 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
30608 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
30609 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
30610 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
30611 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
30612
30613 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
30614 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
30615 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
30616 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
30617 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
30618 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
30619 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
30620 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
30621
30622 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
30623 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
30624 @code{makeinfo}.
30625
30626 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
30627 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
30628 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
30629
30630 @smallexample
30631 cd gdb
30632 make gdb.info
30633 @end smallexample
30634
30635 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
30636 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
30637 Texinfo definitions file.
30638
30639 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
30640 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
30641 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
30642 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
30643 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
30644 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
30645 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
30646
30647 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
30648 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
30649 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
30650 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
30651 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
30652 directory.
30653
30654 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
30655 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
30656 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
30657 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
30658
30659 @smallexample
30660 make gdb.dvi
30661 @end smallexample
30662
30663 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
30664
30665 @node Installing GDB
30666 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
30667 @cindex installation
30668
30669 @menu
30670 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
30671 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
30672 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
30673 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
30674 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
30675 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
30676 @end menu
30677
30678 @node Requirements
30679 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
30680 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
30681
30682 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
30683 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
30684
30685 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
30686 @table @asis
30687 @item ISO C90 compiler
30688 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
30689 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
30690
30691 @end table
30692
30693 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
30694 @table @asis
30695 @item Expat
30696 @anchor{Expat}
30697 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
30698 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
30699 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
30700 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
30701 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
30702 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
30703
30704 Expat is used for:
30705
30706 @itemize @bullet
30707 @item
30708 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
30709 @item
30710 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
30711 @item
30712 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
30713 @item
30714 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
30715 @end itemize
30716
30717 @item zlib
30718 @cindex compressed debug sections
30719 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
30720 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
30721 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
30722 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
30723 information in such binaries.
30724
30725 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
30726 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
30727 @url{http://zlib.net}.
30728
30729 @item iconv
30730 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
30731 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
30732 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
30733 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
30734
30735 On systems with @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
30736 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
30737 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
30738
30739 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
30740 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
30741 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
30742 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
30743 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
30744 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
30745 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
30746 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
30747 @end table
30748
30749 @node Running Configure
30750 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
30751 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
30752 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
30753 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
30754 build the @code{gdb} program.
30755 @iftex
30756 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
30757 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
30758 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
30759 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
30760 @end iftex
30761
30762 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
30763 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
30764 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
30765
30766 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
30767 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
30768
30769 @table @code
30770 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
30771 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
30772
30773 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
30774 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
30775
30776 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
30777 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
30778
30779 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
30780 @sc{gnu} include files
30781
30782 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
30783 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
30784
30785 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
30786 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
30787
30788 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
30789 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
30790
30791 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
30792 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
30793
30794 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
30795 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
30796 @end table
30797
30798 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
30799 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
30800 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
30801
30802 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
30803 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
30804 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
30805 argument.
30806
30807 For example:
30808
30809 @smallexample
30810 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
30811 ./configure @var{host}
30812 make
30813 @end smallexample
30814
30815 @noindent
30816 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
30817 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
30818 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
30819 correct value by examining your system.)
30820
30821 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
30822 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
30823 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
30824 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
30825
30826 @need 750
30827 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
30828 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
30829 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
30830
30831 @smallexample
30832 sh configure @var{host}
30833 @end smallexample
30834
30835 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
30836 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
30837 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
30838 @file{configure}
30839 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
30840 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
30841
30842 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
30843 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
30844 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
30845 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
30846 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
30847 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
30848 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
30849 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
30850 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
30851
30852 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
30853 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
30854 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
30855 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
30856 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
30857
30858 @node Separate Objdir
30859 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
30860
30861 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
30862 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
30863 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
30864 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
30865 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
30866 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
30867 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
30868 program specified there.
30869
30870 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
30871 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
30872 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
30873 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
30874 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
30875 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
30876
30877 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
30878 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
30879
30880 @smallexample
30881 @group
30882 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
30883 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
30884 cd ../gdb-sun4
30885 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
30886 make
30887 @end group
30888 @end smallexample
30889
30890 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
30891 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
30892 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
30893 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
30894 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
30895 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
30896
30897 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
30898 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
30899 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
30900 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
30901 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
30902
30903 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
30904 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
30905 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
30906 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
30907 You specify a cross-debugging target by
30908 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
30909
30910 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
30911 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
30912 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
30913
30914 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
30915 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
30916 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
30917 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
30918 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
30919
30920 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
30921 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
30922 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
30923 with each other.
30924
30925 @node Config Names
30926 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
30927
30928 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
30929 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
30930 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
30931 of information in the following pattern:
30932
30933 @smallexample
30934 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
30935 @end smallexample
30936
30937 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
30938 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
30939 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
30940
30941 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
30942 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
30943 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
30944 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
30945 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
30946 abbreviations---for example:
30947
30948 @smallexample
30949 % sh config.sub i386-linux
30950 i386-pc-linux-gnu
30951 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
30952 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
30953 % sh config.sub hp9k700
30954 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
30955 % sh config.sub sun4
30956 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
30957 % sh config.sub sun3
30958 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
30959 % sh config.sub i986v
30960 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
30961 @end smallexample
30962
30963 @noindent
30964 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
30965 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
30966
30967 @node Configure Options
30968 @section @file{configure} Options
30969
30970 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
30971 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
30972 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
30973 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
30974
30975 @smallexample
30976 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
30977 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
30978 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
30979 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
30980 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
30981 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
30982 @var{host}
30983 @end smallexample
30984
30985 @noindent
30986 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
30987 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
30988 @samp{--}.
30989
30990 @table @code
30991 @item --help
30992 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
30993
30994 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
30995 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
30996 @file{@var{dir}}.
30997
30998 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
30999 Configure the source to install programs under directory
31000 @file{@var{dir}}.
31001
31002 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
31003 @need 2000
31004 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
31005 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
31006 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
31007 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
31008 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
31009 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
31010 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
31011 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
31012 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
31013 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
31014 @var{dirname}.
31015
31016 @item --norecursion
31017 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
31018 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
31019
31020 @item --target=@var{target}
31021 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
31022 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
31023 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
31024
31025 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
31026
31027 @item @var{host} @dots{}
31028 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
31029
31030 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
31031 @end table
31032
31033 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
31034 needed for special purposes only.
31035
31036 @node System-wide configuration
31037 @section System-wide configuration and settings
31038 @cindex system-wide init file
31039
31040 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
31041 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
31042 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
31043
31044 Here is the corresponding configure option:
31045
31046 @table @code
31047 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
31048 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
31049 @var{file}.
31050 @end table
31051
31052 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
31053 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
31054
31055 @itemize @bullet
31056 @item
31057 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
31058 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
31059 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
31060 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
31061 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
31062 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
31063
31064 @item
31065 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
31066 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
31067 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
31068 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
31069 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
31070 @end itemize
31071
31072 @node Maintenance Commands
31073 @appendix Maintenance Commands
31074 @cindex maintenance commands
31075 @cindex internal commands
31076
31077 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
31078 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
31079 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
31080 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
31081 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
31082
31083 @table @code
31084 @kindex maint agent
31085 @kindex maint agent-eval
31086 @item maint agent @var{expression}
31087 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
31088 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
31089 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
31090 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
31091 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
31092 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
31093 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
31094 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
31095 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
31096 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
31097 addition and return the sum.
31098
31099 @kindex maint info breakpoints
31100 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
31101 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
31102 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
31103 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
31104 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
31105 is shown:
31106
31107 @table @code
31108 @item breakpoint
31109 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
31110
31111 @item watchpoint
31112 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
31113
31114 @item longjmp
31115 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
31116 @code{longjmp} calls.
31117
31118 @item longjmp resume
31119 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
31120
31121 @item until
31122 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
31123
31124 @item finish
31125 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
31126
31127 @item shlib events
31128 Shared library events.
31129
31130 @end table
31131
31132 @kindex set displaced-stepping
31133 @kindex show displaced-stepping
31134 @cindex displaced stepping support
31135 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
31136 @item set displaced-stepping
31137 @itemx show displaced-stepping
31138 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
31139 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
31140 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
31141 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
31142 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
31143
31144 @table @code
31145 @item set displaced-stepping on
31146 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
31147 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
31148
31149 @item set displaced-stepping off
31150 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
31151 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
31152
31153 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
31154 @item set displaced-stepping auto
31155 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
31156 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
31157 architecture supports displaced stepping.
31158 @end table
31159
31160 @kindex maint check-symtabs
31161 @item maint check-symtabs
31162 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
31163
31164 @kindex maint cplus first_component
31165 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
31166 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
31167
31168 @kindex maint cplus namespace
31169 @item maint cplus namespace
31170 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
31171
31172 @kindex maint demangle
31173 @item maint demangle @var{name}
31174 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
31175
31176 @kindex maint deprecate
31177 @kindex maint undeprecate
31178 @cindex deprecated commands
31179 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
31180 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
31181 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
31182 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
31183 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
31184 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
31185 the replacement as part of the warning.
31186
31187 @kindex maint dump-me
31188 @item maint dump-me
31189 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
31190 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
31191 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
31192 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
31193
31194 @kindex maint internal-error
31195 @kindex maint internal-warning
31196 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
31197 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
31198 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
31199 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
31200 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
31201 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
31202 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
31203 @value{GDBN} session.
31204
31205 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
31206 used as the text of the error or warning message.
31207
31208 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
31209
31210 @smallexample
31211 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
31212 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
31213 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
31214 debugging may prove unreliable.
31215 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
31216 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
31217 (@value{GDBP})
31218 @end smallexample
31219
31220 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
31221 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
31222
31223 @kindex maint set internal-error
31224 @kindex maint show internal-error
31225 @kindex maint set internal-warning
31226 @kindex maint show internal-warning
31227 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
31228 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
31229 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
31230 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
31231 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
31232 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
31233 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
31234 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
31235 described in the table below.
31236
31237 @table @samp
31238 @item quit
31239 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
31240 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
31241
31242 @item corefile
31243 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
31244 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
31245 @end table
31246
31247 @kindex maint packet
31248 @item maint packet @var{text}
31249 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
31250 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
31251 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
31252 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
31253 checksum.
31254
31255 @kindex maint print architecture
31256 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31257 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
31258 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
31259
31260 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
31261 @item maint print c-tdesc
31262 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
31263 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
31264 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
31265
31266 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
31267 @item maint print dummy-frames
31268 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
31269
31270 @smallexample
31271 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
31272 @dots{}
31273 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
31274 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
31275 58 return (a + b);
31276 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
31277 @dots{}
31278 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
31279 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
31280 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
31281 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
31282 (@value{GDBP})
31283 @end smallexample
31284
31285 Takes an optional file parameter.
31286
31287 @kindex maint print registers
31288 @kindex maint print raw-registers
31289 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
31290 @kindex maint print register-groups
31291 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31292 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31293 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31294 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31295 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
31296
31297 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
31298 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
31299 includes the (cooked) value of all registers, including registers which
31300 aren't available on the target nor visible to user; and the
31301 command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
31302 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
31303 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
31304
31305 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
31306 write the information.
31307
31308 @kindex maint print reggroups
31309 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31310 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
31311 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
31312 information.
31313
31314 The register groups info looks like this:
31315
31316 @smallexample
31317 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
31318 Group Type
31319 general user
31320 float user
31321 all user
31322 vector user
31323 system user
31324 save internal
31325 restore internal
31326 @end smallexample
31327
31328 @kindex flushregs
31329 @item flushregs
31330 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
31331
31332 @kindex maint print objfiles
31333 @cindex info for known object files
31334 @item maint print objfiles
31335 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
31336 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
31337 and symtabs.
31338
31339 @kindex maint print section-scripts
31340 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
31341 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
31342 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
31343 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
31344 matching @var{regexp}.
31345 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
31346 and the full path if known.
31347 @xref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}.
31348
31349 @kindex maint print statistics
31350 @cindex bcache statistics
31351 @item maint print statistics
31352 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
31353 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
31354 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
31355 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
31356 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
31357 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
31358 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
31359 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
31360 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
31361 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
31362 lengths.
31363
31364 @kindex maint print target-stack
31365 @cindex target stack description
31366 @item maint print target-stack
31367 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
31368 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
31369 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
31370 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
31371 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
31372 address.
31373
31374 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
31375 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
31376
31377 @kindex maint print type
31378 @cindex type chain of a data type
31379 @item maint print type @var{expr}
31380 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
31381 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
31382 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
31383 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
31384 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
31385
31386 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
31387 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
31388 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
31389 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
31390 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
31391 information.
31392
31393 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
31394 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
31395 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
31396 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
31397 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
31398 always see the disassembly form.
31399
31400 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
31401
31402 @smallexample
31403 (gdb) info addr argc
31404 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
31405 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
31406 @end smallexample
31407
31408 For more information on these expressions, see
31409 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
31410
31411 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
31412 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
31413 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
31414 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
31415 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
31416
31417 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
31418 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
31419 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
31420 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
31421 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
31422 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
31423 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
31424 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
31425 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
31426
31427 @kindex maint set profile
31428 @kindex maint show profile
31429 @cindex profiling GDB
31430 @item maint set profile
31431 @itemx maint show profile
31432 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
31433
31434 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
31435 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
31436 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
31437 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
31438 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
31439 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
31440 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
31441
31442 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
31443 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
31444
31445 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
31446 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
31447 @cindex hardware debug registers
31448 @item maint set show-debug-regs
31449 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
31450 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
31451 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
31452 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
31453 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
31454 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
31455
31456 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
31457 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
31458 @item maint set show-all-tib
31459 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
31460 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
31461 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
31462 command.
31463
31464 @kindex maint space
31465 @cindex memory used by commands
31466 @item maint space
31467 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
31468 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
31469 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
31470 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
31471 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
31472
31473 @kindex maint time
31474 @cindex time of command execution
31475 @item maint time
31476 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
31477 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
31478 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
31479 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
31480 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
31481 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
31482 it's not possibly currently
31483 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
31484 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
31485
31486 @kindex maint translate-address
31487 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
31488 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
31489 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
31490 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
31491 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
31492 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
31493 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
31494
31495 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
31496 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
31497 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
31498
31499 @end table
31500
31501 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
31502 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
31503
31504 @table @code
31505 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
31506 @kindex set watchdog
31507 @cindex watchdog timer
31508 @cindex timeout for commands
31509 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
31510 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
31511 reports and error and the command is aborted.
31512
31513 @item show watchdog
31514 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
31515 @end table
31516
31517 @node Remote Protocol
31518 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
31519
31520 @menu
31521 * Overview::
31522 * Packets::
31523 * Stop Reply Packets::
31524 * General Query Packets::
31525 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
31526 * Tracepoint Packets::
31527 * Host I/O Packets::
31528 * Interrupts::
31529 * Notification Packets::
31530 * Remote Non-Stop::
31531 * Packet Acknowledgment::
31532 * Examples::
31533 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
31534 * Library List Format::
31535 * Memory Map Format::
31536 * Thread List Format::
31537 @end menu
31538
31539 @node Overview
31540 @section Overview
31541
31542 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
31543 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
31544 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
31545 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
31546
31547 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
31548 transmitted and received data, respectively.
31549
31550 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
31551 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
31552 @cindex remote serial protocol
31553 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
31554 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
31555 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
31556 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
31557 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
31558
31559 @smallexample
31560 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
31561 @end smallexample
31562 @noindent
31563
31564 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
31565 @noindent
31566 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
31567 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
31568 eight bit unsigned checksum).
31569
31570 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
31571 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
31572
31573 @smallexample
31574 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
31575 @end smallexample
31576
31577 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
31578 @noindent
31579 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
31580 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
31581 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
31582
31583 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
31584 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
31585 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
31586 retransmission):
31587
31588 @smallexample
31589 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
31590 <- @code{+}
31591 @end smallexample
31592 @noindent
31593
31594 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
31595 once a connection is established.
31596 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
31597
31598 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
31599 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
31600 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
31601 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
31602 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
31603 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
31604 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
31605
31606 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
31607 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
31608 exceptions).
31609
31610 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
31611 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
31612 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
31613 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
31614
31615 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
31616 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
31617 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
31618
31619 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
31620 @anchor{Binary Data}
31621 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
31622 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
31623 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
31624 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
31625 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
31626 binary data.
31627
31628 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
31629 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
31630 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
31631 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
31632 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
31633 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
31634 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
31635 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
31636 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
31637 (described next).
31638
31639 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
31640 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
31641 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
31642 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
31643 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
31644 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
31645 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
31646 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
31647 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
31648 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
31649 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
31650 3}} more times.
31651
31652 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
31653 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
31654 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
31655 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
31656 @samp{0*"00}.
31657
31658 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
31659 error number. That number is not well defined.
31660
31661 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
31662 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
31663 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
31664 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
31665 on that response.
31666
31667 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
31668 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
31669 optional.
31670
31671 @node Packets
31672 @section Packets
31673
31674 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
31675 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
31676 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
31677 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
31678
31679 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
31680 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
31681 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
31682 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
31683 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
31684 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
31685 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
31686 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
31687 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
31688 @var{baz}.
31689
31690 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
31691 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
31692 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
31693 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
31694 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
31695 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
31696 pick any thread.
31697
31698 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
31699 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
31700 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
31701 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
31702 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
31703 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
31704 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
31705 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
31706 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
31707 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
31708 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
31709 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
31710 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
31711
31712 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
31713 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
31714 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
31715 more information.
31716
31717 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
31718 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
31719
31720 Here are the packet descriptions.
31721
31722 @table @samp
31723
31724 @item !
31725 @cindex @samp{!} packet
31726 @anchor{extended mode}
31727 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
31728 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
31729 debugged.
31730
31731 Reply:
31732 @table @samp
31733 @item OK
31734 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
31735 @end table
31736
31737 @item ?
31738 @cindex @samp{?} packet
31739 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
31740 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
31741 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
31742
31743 Reply:
31744 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31745
31746 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
31747 @cindex @samp{A} packet
31748 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
31749 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
31750 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
31751
31752 Reply:
31753 @table @samp
31754 @item OK
31755 The arguments were set.
31756 @item E @var{NN}
31757 An error occurred.
31758 @end table
31759
31760 @item b @var{baud}
31761 @cindex @samp{b} packet
31762 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
31763 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
31764
31765 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
31766 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
31767 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
31768
31769 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
31770 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
31771 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
31772 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
31773 of view, nothing actually happened.}
31774
31775 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
31776 @cindex @samp{B} packet
31777 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
31778 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
31779
31780 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
31781 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
31782
31783 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
31784 @anchor{bc}
31785 @item bc
31786 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
31787 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
31788
31789 Reply:
31790 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31791
31792 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
31793 @anchor{bs}
31794 @item bs
31795 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
31796 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
31797
31798 Reply:
31799 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31800
31801 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
31802 @cindex @samp{c} packet
31803 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
31804 resume at current address.
31805
31806 Reply:
31807 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31808
31809 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
31810 @cindex @samp{C} packet
31811 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
31812 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
31813
31814 Reply:
31815 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31816
31817 @item d
31818 @cindex @samp{d} packet
31819 Toggle debug flag.
31820
31821 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
31822 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
31823
31824 @item D
31825 @itemx D;@var{pid}
31826 @cindex @samp{D} packet
31827 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
31828 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
31829 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
31830
31831 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
31832 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
31833 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
31834 big-endian hex string.
31835
31836 Reply:
31837 @table @samp
31838 @item OK
31839 for success
31840 @item E @var{NN}
31841 for an error
31842 @end table
31843
31844 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
31845 @cindex @samp{F} packet
31846 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
31847 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
31848 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
31849
31850 @item g
31851 @anchor{read registers packet}
31852 @cindex @samp{g} packet
31853 Read general registers.
31854
31855 Reply:
31856 @table @samp
31857 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
31858 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
31859 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
31860 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
31861 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
31862 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
31863 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
31864
31865 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
31866 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
31867 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
31868 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
31869 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
31870 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
31871 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
31872 have been collected, and both have zero value:
31873
31874 @smallexample
31875 -> @code{g}
31876 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
31877 @end smallexample
31878
31879 @item E @var{NN}
31880 for an error.
31881 @end table
31882
31883 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
31884 @cindex @samp{G} packet
31885 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
31886 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
31887
31888 Reply:
31889 @table @samp
31890 @item OK
31891 for success
31892 @item E @var{NN}
31893 for an error
31894 @end table
31895
31896 @item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
31897 @cindex @samp{H} packet
31898 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
31899 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
31900 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
31901 operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
31902 interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
31903
31904 Reply:
31905 @table @samp
31906 @item OK
31907 for success
31908 @item E @var{NN}
31909 for an error
31910 @end table
31911
31912 @c FIXME: JTC:
31913 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
31914 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
31915 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
31916 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
31917 @c described. For example:
31918 @c
31919 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
31920 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
31921 @c otherwise returns current registers.
31922 @c
31923 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
31924 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
31925 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
31926
31927 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
31928 @anchor{cycle step packet}
31929 @cindex @samp{i} packet
31930 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
31931 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
31932 step starting at that address.
31933
31934 @item I
31935 @cindex @samp{I} packet
31936 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
31937 step packet}.
31938
31939 @item k
31940 @cindex @samp{k} packet
31941 Kill request.
31942
31943 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
31944 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
31945 thread?)}.
31946
31947 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
31948 @cindex @samp{m} packet
31949 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
31950 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
31951
31952 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
31953 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
31954 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
31955 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
31956 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
31957 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
31958 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
31959 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
31960
31961 Reply:
31962 @table @samp
31963 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
31964 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
31965 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
31966 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
31967 @item E @var{NN}
31968 @var{NN} is errno
31969 @end table
31970
31971 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
31972 @cindex @samp{M} packet
31973 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
31974 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
31975 hexadecimal number.
31976
31977 Reply:
31978 @table @samp
31979 @item OK
31980 for success
31981 @item E @var{NN}
31982 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
31983 written).
31984 @end table
31985
31986 @item p @var{n}
31987 @cindex @samp{p} packet
31988 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
31989 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
31990 register value is encoded.
31991
31992 Reply:
31993 @table @samp
31994 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
31995 the register's value
31996 @item E @var{NN}
31997 for an error
31998 @item
31999 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
32000 @end table
32001
32002 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
32003 @anchor{write register packet}
32004 @cindex @samp{P} packet
32005 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
32006 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
32007 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
32008
32009 Reply:
32010 @table @samp
32011 @item OK
32012 for success
32013 @item E @var{NN}
32014 for an error
32015 @end table
32016
32017 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
32018 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
32019 @cindex @samp{q} packet
32020 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
32021 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
32022 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
32023
32024 @item r
32025 @cindex @samp{r} packet
32026 Reset the entire system.
32027
32028 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
32029
32030 @item R @var{XX}
32031 @cindex @samp{R} packet
32032 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
32033 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32034
32035 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
32036
32037 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
32038 @cindex @samp{s} packet
32039 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
32040 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
32041
32042 Reply:
32043 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32044
32045 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
32046 @anchor{step with signal packet}
32047 @cindex @samp{S} packet
32048 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
32049 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
32050
32051 Reply:
32052 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32053
32054 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
32055 @cindex @samp{t} packet
32056 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
32057 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
32058 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
32059
32060 @item T @var{thread-id}
32061 @cindex @samp{T} packet
32062 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
32063
32064 Reply:
32065 @table @samp
32066 @item OK
32067 thread is still alive
32068 @item E @var{NN}
32069 thread is dead
32070 @end table
32071
32072 @item v
32073 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
32074 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
32075
32076 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
32077 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
32078 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
32079 The process ID is a
32080 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
32081 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
32082 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
32083
32084 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
32085 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
32086 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
32087 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
32088 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
32089 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
32090 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
32091 @c stopping or restarting threads.
32092
32093 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32094
32095 Reply:
32096 @table @samp
32097 @item E @var{nn}
32098 for an error
32099 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32100 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32101 @item OK
32102 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
32103 @end table
32104
32105 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
32106 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
32107 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
32108 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
32109 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
32110 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
32111 in their current state in non-stop mode.
32112 Specifying multiple
32113 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
32114 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32115
32116 Currently supported actions are:
32117
32118 @table @samp
32119 @item c
32120 Continue.
32121 @item C @var{sig}
32122 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
32123 @item s
32124 Step.
32125 @item S @var{sig}
32126 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
32127 @item t
32128 Stop.
32129 @end table
32130
32131 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
32132 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
32133 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
32134
32135 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
32136 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
32137 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
32138 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
32139 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
32140 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
32141 as an implementation detail.
32142
32143 Reply:
32144 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32145
32146 @item vCont?
32147 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
32148 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
32149
32150 Reply:
32151 @table @samp
32152 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
32153 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
32154 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
32155 @item
32156 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
32157 @end table
32158
32159 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
32160 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
32161 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
32162 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
32163
32164 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
32165 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
32166 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
32167 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
32168 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
32169 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
32170 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
32171 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
32172 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
32173 packet is received.
32174
32175 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
32176 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
32177 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
32178 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
32179 @var{thread-id}.
32180
32181 Reply:
32182 @table @samp
32183 @item OK
32184 for success
32185 @item E @var{NN}
32186 for an error
32187 @end table
32188
32189 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32190 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
32191 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
32192 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
32193 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
32194 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
32195 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
32196 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
32197 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
32198 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
32199 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
32200 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
32201
32202
32203 Reply:
32204 @table @samp
32205 @item OK
32206 for success
32207 @item E.memtype
32208 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
32209 @item E @var{NN}
32210 for an error
32211 @end table
32212
32213 @item vFlashDone
32214 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
32215 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
32216 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
32217 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
32218 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
32219 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
32220 request is completed.
32221
32222 @item vKill;@var{pid}
32223 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
32224 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
32225 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
32226 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
32227 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
32228
32229 Reply:
32230 @table @samp
32231 @item E @var{nn}
32232 for an error
32233 @item OK
32234 for success
32235 @end table
32236
32237 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
32238 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
32239 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
32240 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
32241 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
32242 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
32243 state.
32244
32245 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
32246
32247 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32248
32249 Reply:
32250 @table @samp
32251 @item E @var{nn}
32252 for an error
32253 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32254 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32255 @end table
32256
32257 @item vStopped
32258 @anchor{vStopped packet}
32259 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
32260
32261 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
32262 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
32263
32264 Reply:
32265 @table @samp
32266 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32267 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32268 @item OK
32269 if there are no unreported stop events
32270 @end table
32271
32272 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32273 @anchor{X packet}
32274 @cindex @samp{X} packet
32275 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
32276 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
32277 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
32278
32279 Reply:
32280 @table @samp
32281 @item OK
32282 for success
32283 @item E @var{NN}
32284 for an error
32285 @end table
32286
32287 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
32288 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
32289 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
32290 @cindex @samp{z} packet
32291 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
32292 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
32293 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
32294
32295 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
32296 separately.
32297
32298 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
32299 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
32300 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
32301 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
32302 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
32303 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
32304
32305 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32306 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32307 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
32308 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
32309 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
32310 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
32311
32312 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
32313 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
32314 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
32315 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
32316 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
32317 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
32318 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
32319
32320 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
32321 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
32322 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
32323 target, is not defined.}
32324
32325 Reply:
32326 @table @samp
32327 @item OK
32328 success
32329 @item
32330 not supported
32331 @item E @var{NN}
32332 for an error
32333 @end table
32334
32335 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32336 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32337 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
32338 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
32339 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
32340 address @var{addr}.
32341
32342 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
32343 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
32344 has the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
32345
32346 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
32347 movement.}
32348
32349 Reply:
32350 @table @samp
32351 @item OK
32352 success
32353 @item
32354 not supported
32355 @item E @var{NN}
32356 for an error
32357 @end table
32358
32359 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32360 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32361 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
32362 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
32363 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32364 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32365
32366 Reply:
32367 @table @samp
32368 @item OK
32369 success
32370 @item
32371 not supported
32372 @item E @var{NN}
32373 for an error
32374 @end table
32375
32376 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32377 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32378 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
32379 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
32380 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32381 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32382
32383 Reply:
32384 @table @samp
32385 @item OK
32386 success
32387 @item
32388 not supported
32389 @item E @var{NN}
32390 for an error
32391 @end table
32392
32393 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32394 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32395 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
32396 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
32397 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32398 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32399
32400 Reply:
32401 @table @samp
32402 @item OK
32403 success
32404 @item
32405 not supported
32406 @item E @var{NN}
32407 for an error
32408 @end table
32409
32410 @end table
32411
32412 @node Stop Reply Packets
32413 @section Stop Reply Packets
32414 @cindex stop reply packets
32415
32416 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
32417 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
32418 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
32419 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
32420 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
32421 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
32422 @value{GDBN} source code.
32423
32424 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
32425 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
32426 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
32427 components.
32428
32429 @table @samp
32430
32431 @item S @var{AA}
32432 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
32433 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
32434 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
32435
32436 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
32437 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
32438 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
32439 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
32440 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
32441 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
32442 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
32443 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
32444
32445 @itemize @bullet
32446 @item
32447 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
32448 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
32449 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
32450 two-digit hex number.
32451
32452 @item
32453 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
32454 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32455
32456 @item
32457 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
32458 the core on which the stop event was detected.
32459
32460 @item
32461 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
32462 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
32463 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
32464 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
32465
32466 @item
32467 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
32468 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
32469 future.
32470 @end itemize
32471
32472 The currently defined stop reasons are:
32473
32474 @table @samp
32475 @item watch
32476 @itemx rwatch
32477 @itemx awatch
32478 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
32479 hex.
32480
32481 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
32482 @item library
32483 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
32484 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
32485 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
32486
32487 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
32488 @item replaylog
32489 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
32490 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
32491 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
32492 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
32493 for more information.
32494 @end table
32495
32496 @item W @var{AA}
32497 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
32498 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
32499 applicable to certain targets.
32500
32501 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
32502 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
32503 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
32504 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
32505
32506 @item X @var{AA}
32507 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
32508 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
32509
32510 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
32511 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
32512 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
32513 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
32514
32515 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
32516 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
32517 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
32518 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
32519 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
32520
32521 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
32522 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
32523 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
32524 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
32525 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
32526 system calls.
32527
32528 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
32529 this very system call.
32530
32531 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
32532 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
32533 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
32534 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
32535 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
32536 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
32537
32538 @end table
32539
32540 @node General Query Packets
32541 @section General Query Packets
32542 @cindex remote query requests
32543
32544 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
32545 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
32546 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
32547 sending information to and from the stub.
32548
32549 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
32550 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
32551 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
32552 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
32553 conventions:
32554
32555 @itemize @bullet
32556 @item
32557 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
32558 @item
32559 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
32560 letter.
32561 @item
32562 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
32563 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
32564 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
32565 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
32566 @end itemize
32567
32568 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
32569 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
32570 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
32571 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
32572 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
32573 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
32574 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
32575 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
32576 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
32577 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
32578 packet.}.
32579
32580 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
32581 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
32582 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
32583 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
32584 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
32585
32586 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
32587
32588 @table @samp
32589
32590 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
32591 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
32592 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
32593 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
32594 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
32595 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
32596 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
32597 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
32598 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
32599 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
32600 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
32601
32602 @item qC
32603 @cindex current thread, remote request
32604 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
32605 Return the current thread ID.
32606
32607 Reply:
32608 @table @samp
32609 @item QC @var{thread-id}
32610 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
32611 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32612 @item @r{(anything else)}
32613 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
32614 @end table
32615
32616 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
32617 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
32618 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
32619 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
32620 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
32621 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
32622 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
32623
32624 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
32625 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
32626 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
32627 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
32628 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
32629 detect trailing zeros.
32630
32631 Reply:
32632 @table @samp
32633 @item E @var{NN}
32634 An error (such as memory fault)
32635 @item C @var{crc32}
32636 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
32637 @end table
32638
32639 @item qfThreadInfo
32640 @itemx qsThreadInfo
32641 @cindex list active threads, remote request
32642 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
32643 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
32644 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
32645 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
32646 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
32647 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
32648 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
32649 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
32650
32651 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
32652
32653 Reply:
32654 @table @samp
32655 @item m @var{thread-id}
32656 A single thread ID
32657 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
32658 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
32659 @item l
32660 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
32661 @end table
32662
32663 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
32664 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
32665 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
32666 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
32667 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
32668 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
32669 fields.
32670
32671 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
32672 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
32673 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
32674 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
32675 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
32676
32677 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
32678 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
32679
32680 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
32681 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
32682 information associated with the variable.)
32683
32684 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
32685 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
32686 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
32687 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
32688 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
32689 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
32690
32691 Reply:
32692 @table @samp
32693 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
32694 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
32695 local storage requested.
32696
32697 @item E @var{nn}
32698 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
32699
32700 @item
32701 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
32702 @end table
32703
32704 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
32705 @cindex get thread information block address
32706 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
32707 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
32708
32709 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
32710
32711 Reply:
32712 @table @samp
32713 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
32714 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
32715 thread information block.
32716
32717 @item E @var{nn}
32718 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
32719 address could not be retrieved.
32720
32721 @item
32722 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
32723 @end table
32724
32725 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
32726 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
32727 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
32728 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
32729 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
32730 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
32731 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
32732
32733 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
32734
32735 Reply:
32736 @table @samp
32737 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
32738 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
32739 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
32740 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
32741 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
32742 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
32743 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
32744 @end table
32745
32746 @item qOffsets
32747 @cindex section offsets, remote request
32748 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
32749 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
32750 image.
32751
32752 Reply:
32753 @table @samp
32754 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
32755 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
32756 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
32757 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
32758 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
32759 segments by the supplied offsets.
32760
32761 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
32762 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
32763 to the @code{Bss} section.}
32764
32765 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
32766 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
32767 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
32768 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
32769 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
32770 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
32771 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
32772 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
32773 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
32774 @end table
32775
32776 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
32777 @cindex thread information, remote request
32778 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
32779 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
32780 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
32781 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
32782
32783 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
32784 (see below).
32785
32786 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
32787
32788 @item QNonStop:1
32789 @item QNonStop:0
32790 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
32791 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
32792 @anchor{QNonStop}
32793 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
32794 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
32795
32796 Reply:
32797 @table @samp
32798 @item OK
32799 The request succeeded.
32800
32801 @item E @var{nn}
32802 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
32803
32804 @item
32805 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
32806 the stub.
32807 @end table
32808
32809 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32810 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32811 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
32812 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
32813
32814 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
32815 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
32816 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
32817 @anchor{QPassSignals}
32818 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
32819 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
32820 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
32821 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
32822 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
32823 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
32824 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
32825 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
32826 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
32827
32828 Reply:
32829 @table @samp
32830 @item OK
32831 The request succeeded.
32832
32833 @item E @var{nn}
32834 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
32835
32836 @item
32837 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
32838 the stub.
32839 @end table
32840
32841 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
32842 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
32843 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32844 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32845
32846 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
32847 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
32848 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
32849 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
32850 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
32851 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
32852 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
32853 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
32854 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
32855
32856 Reply:
32857 @table @samp
32858 @item OK
32859 A command response with no output.
32860 @item @var{OUTPUT}
32861 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
32862 @item E @var{NN}
32863 Indicate a badly formed request.
32864 @item
32865 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
32866 @end table
32867
32868 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
32869 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
32870 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
32871 packets.)
32872
32873 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
32874 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
32875 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
32876 @anchor{qSearch memory}
32877 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
32878 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
32879 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
32880
32881 Reply:
32882 @table @samp
32883 @item 0
32884 The pattern was not found.
32885 @item 1,address
32886 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
32887 @item E @var{NN}
32888 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
32889 @item
32890 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
32891 @end table
32892
32893 @item QStartNoAckMode
32894 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
32895 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
32896 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
32897 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
32898
32899 Reply:
32900 @table @samp
32901 @item OK
32902 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
32903 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
32904 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
32905 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
32906 @item
32907 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
32908 @end table
32909
32910 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
32911 @cindex supported packets, remote query
32912 @cindex features of the remote protocol
32913 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
32914 @anchor{qSupported}
32915 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
32916 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
32917 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
32918 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
32919 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
32920 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
32921 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
32922 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
32923 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
32924 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
32925 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
32926 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
32927 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
32928 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
32929
32930 Reply:
32931 @table @samp
32932 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
32933 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
32934 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
32935 possible forms).
32936 @item
32937 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
32938 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
32939 @end table
32940
32941 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
32942 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
32943 are:
32944
32945 @table @samp
32946 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
32947 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
32948 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
32949 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
32950 @item @var{name}+
32951 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
32952 need an associated value.
32953 @item @var{name}-
32954 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
32955 @item @var{name}?
32956 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
32957 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
32958 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
32959 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
32960 @end table
32961
32962 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
32963 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
32964 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
32965 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
32966 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
32967
32968 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
32969 are defined:
32970
32971 @table @samp
32972 @item multiprocess
32973 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
32974 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
32975 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
32976 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
32977 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
32978
32979 @item xmlRegisters
32980 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
32981 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
32982 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
32983 description.
32984
32985 @item qRelocInsn
32986 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
32987 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
32988 instruction reply packet}).
32989 @end table
32990
32991 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
32992 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
32993 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
32994 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
32995 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
32996 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
32997 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
32998 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
32999 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
33000 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
33001 all the features it supports.
33002
33003 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
33004 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
33005
33006 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
33007 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
33008 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
33009 form response.
33010
33011 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
33012 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
33013 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
33014 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
33015
33016 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
33017 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
33018 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
33019 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
33020 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
33021
33022 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
33023
33024 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
33025 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
33026 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
33027 @item Feature Name
33028 @tab Value Required
33029 @tab Default
33030 @tab Probe Allowed
33031
33032 @item @samp{PacketSize}
33033 @tab Yes
33034 @tab @samp{-}
33035 @tab No
33036
33037 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
33038 @tab No
33039 @tab @samp{-}
33040 @tab Yes
33041
33042 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
33043 @tab No
33044 @tab @samp{-}
33045 @tab Yes
33046
33047 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
33048 @tab No
33049 @tab @samp{-}
33050 @tab Yes
33051
33052 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
33053 @tab No
33054 @tab @samp{-}
33055 @tab Yes
33056
33057 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
33058 @tab No
33059 @tab @samp{-}
33060 @tab Yes
33061
33062 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
33063 @tab No
33064 @tab @samp{-}
33065 @tab Yes
33066
33067 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
33068 @tab No
33069 @tab @samp{-}
33070 @tab Yes
33071
33072 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
33073 @tab No
33074 @tab @samp{-}
33075 @tab Yes
33076
33077 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
33078 @tab No
33079 @tab @samp{-}
33080 @tab Yes
33081
33082 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
33083 @tab No
33084 @tab @samp{-}
33085 @tab Yes
33086
33087
33088 @item @samp{QNonStop}
33089 @tab No
33090 @tab @samp{-}
33091 @tab Yes
33092
33093 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
33094 @tab No
33095 @tab @samp{-}
33096 @tab Yes
33097
33098 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
33099 @tab No
33100 @tab @samp{-}
33101 @tab Yes
33102
33103 @item @samp{multiprocess}
33104 @tab No
33105 @tab @samp{-}
33106 @tab No
33107
33108 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
33109 @tab No
33110 @tab @samp{-}
33111 @tab No
33112
33113 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
33114 @tab No
33115 @tab @samp{-}
33116 @tab No
33117
33118 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
33119 @tab No
33120 @tab @samp{-}
33121 @tab No
33122
33123 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
33124 @tab No
33125 @tab @samp{-}
33126 @tab No
33127
33128 @item @samp{QAllow}
33129 @tab No
33130 @tab @samp{-}
33131 @tab No
33132
33133 @end multitable
33134
33135 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
33136
33137 @table @samp
33138 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
33139 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
33140 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
33141 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
33142 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
33143 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
33144 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
33145 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
33146 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
33147 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
33148
33149 @item qXfer:auxv:read
33150 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
33151 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
33152
33153 @item qXfer:features:read
33154 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
33155 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
33156
33157 @item qXfer:libraries:read
33158 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
33159 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
33160
33161 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
33162 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
33163 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
33164
33165 @item qXfer:sdata:read
33166 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
33167 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
33168
33169 @item qXfer:spu:read
33170 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
33171 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
33172
33173 @item qXfer:spu:write
33174 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
33175 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
33176
33177 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
33178 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
33179 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
33180
33181 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
33182 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
33183 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
33184
33185 @item qXfer:threads:read
33186 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
33187 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
33188
33189 @item QNonStop
33190 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
33191 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
33192
33193 @item QPassSignals
33194 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
33195 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
33196
33197 @item QStartNoAckMode
33198 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
33199 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
33200
33201 @item multiprocess
33202 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
33203 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
33204 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
33205 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
33206 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
33207 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
33208 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
33209 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
33210 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
33211 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
33212 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
33213
33214 @item qXfer:osdata:read
33215 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
33216 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
33217
33218 @item ConditionalTracepoints
33219 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
33220 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
33221
33222 @item ReverseContinue
33223 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
33224 (@pxref{bc}).
33225
33226 @item ReverseStep
33227 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
33228 (@pxref{bs}).
33229
33230 @item TracepointSource
33231 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
33232 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
33233
33234 @item QAllow
33235 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
33236
33237 @item StaticTracepoint
33238 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
33239 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
33240
33241 @end table
33242
33243 @item qSymbol::
33244 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
33245 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
33246 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
33247 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
33248
33249 Reply:
33250 @table @samp
33251 @item OK
33252 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
33253 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
33254 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
33255 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
33256 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
33257 below.
33258 @end table
33259
33260 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
33261 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
33262
33263 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
33264 target has previously requested.
33265
33266 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
33267 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
33268 will be empty.
33269
33270 Reply:
33271 @table @samp
33272 @item OK
33273 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
33274 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
33275 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
33276 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
33277 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
33278 @end table
33279
33280 @item qTBuffer
33281 @item QTBuffer
33282 @item QTDisconnected
33283 @itemx QTDP
33284 @itemx QTDPsrc
33285 @itemx QTDV
33286 @itemx qTfP
33287 @itemx qTfV
33288 @itemx QTFrame
33289 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
33290
33291 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
33292 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
33293 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
33294 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
33295 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
33296 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
33297 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
33298 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
33299 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
33300 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
33301 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
33302
33303 Reply:
33304 @table @samp
33305 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
33306 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
33307 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
33308 the thread's attributes.
33309 @end table
33310
33311 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
33312 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
33313 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
33314 packets.)
33315
33316 @item QTSave
33317 @item qTsP
33318 @item qTsV
33319 @itemx QTStart
33320 @itemx QTStop
33321 @itemx QTinit
33322 @itemx QTro
33323 @itemx qTStatus
33324 @itemx qTV
33325 @itemx qTfSTM
33326 @itemx qTsSTM
33327 @itemx qTSTMat
33328 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
33329
33330 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33331 @cindex read special object, remote request
33332 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
33333 @anchor{qXfer read}
33334 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
33335 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
33336 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
33337 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
33338 additional details about what data to access.
33339
33340 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
33341 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
33342 formats, listed below.
33343
33344 @table @samp
33345 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33346 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
33347 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
33348 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
33349
33350 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33351 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33352
33353 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33354 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
33355 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
33356 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
33357 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
33358
33359 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33360 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33361
33362 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33363 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
33364 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
33365 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33366 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33367
33368 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
33369 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
33370 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
33371
33372 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33373 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33374
33375 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33376 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
33377 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
33378 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33379 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33380
33381 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33382 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33383
33384 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33385 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
33386
33387 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
33388 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
33389 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
33390 Action Lists}.
33391
33392 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33393 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33394 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33395
33396 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33397 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
33398 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
33399 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
33400 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33401
33402 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33403 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33404 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33405
33406 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33407 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
33408 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
33409 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
33410 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
33411 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
33412 in that context to be accessed.
33413
33414 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33415 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33416 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33417
33418 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33419 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
33420 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
33421 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33422 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33423
33424 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33425 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33426
33427 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33428 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
33429 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
33430 @xref{Operating System Information}.
33431
33432 @end table
33433
33434 Reply:
33435 @table @samp
33436 @item m @var{data}
33437 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
33438 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
33439 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
33440 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
33441 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
33442 request.
33443
33444 @item l @var{data}
33445 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
33446 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
33447 than the @var{length} in the request.
33448
33449 @item l
33450 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
33451 There is no more data to be read.
33452
33453 @item E00
33454 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
33455
33456 @item E @var{nn}
33457 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
33458 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
33459
33460 @item
33461 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
33462 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
33463 @end table
33464
33465 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
33466 @cindex write data into object, remote request
33467 @anchor{qXfer write}
33468 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
33469 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
33470 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
33471 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
33472 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
33473 to access.
33474
33475 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
33476 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
33477 formats, listed below.
33478
33479 @table @samp
33480 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
33481 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
33482 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
33483 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
33484 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
33485
33486 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33487 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33488 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33489
33490 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
33491 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
33492 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
33493 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
33494 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
33495 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
33496 in that context to be accessed.
33497
33498 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33499 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33500 @end table
33501
33502 Reply:
33503 @table @samp
33504 @item @var{nn}
33505 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
33506 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
33507
33508 @item E00
33509 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
33510
33511 @item E @var{nn}
33512 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
33513 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
33514
33515 @item
33516 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
33517 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
33518 @end table
33519
33520 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
33521 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
33522 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
33523 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
33524 must respond with an empty packet.
33525
33526 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
33527 @cindex query attached, remote request
33528 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
33529 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
33530 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
33531 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
33532 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
33533 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
33534 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
33535
33536 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
33537 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
33538 the @code{quit} command.
33539
33540 Reply:
33541 @table @samp
33542 @item 1
33543 The remote server attached to an existing process.
33544 @item 0
33545 The remote server created a new process.
33546 @item E @var{NN}
33547 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
33548 @end table
33549
33550 @end table
33551
33552 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
33553 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
33554
33555 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
33556 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
33557 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
33558
33559 @subsection ARM
33560
33561 @subsubsection Breakpoint Kinds
33562
33563 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
33564
33565 @table @r
33566
33567 @item 2
33568 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
33569
33570 @item 3
33571 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
33572
33573 @item 4
33574 32-bit ARM mode breakpoint.
33575
33576 @end table
33577
33578 @subsection MIPS
33579
33580 @subsubsection Register Packet Format
33581
33582 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
33583 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
33584 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
33585 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
33586 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
33587 most-significant - least-significant.
33588
33589 @table @r
33590
33591 @item MIPS32
33592
33593 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
33594 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
33595 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
33596
33597 @item MIPS64
33598
33599 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
33600 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
33601 as @code{MIPS32}.
33602
33603 @end table
33604
33605 @node Tracepoint Packets
33606 @section Tracepoint Packets
33607 @cindex tracepoint packets
33608 @cindex packets, tracepoint
33609
33610 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
33611 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
33612
33613 @table @samp
33614
33615 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
33616 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
33617 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
33618 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
33619 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
33620 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
33621 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
33622 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
33623 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
33624 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
33625 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
33626 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
33627 actions.
33628
33629 Replies:
33630 @table @samp
33631 @item OK
33632 The packet was understood and carried out.
33633 @item qRelocInsn
33634 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
33635 @item
33636 The packet was not recognized.
33637 @end table
33638
33639 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
33640 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
33641 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
33642 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
33643 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
33644 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
33645 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
33646
33647 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
33648 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
33649 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
33650 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
33651 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
33652 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
33653 tracepoint actions.
33654
33655 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
33656 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
33657 following forms:
33658
33659 @table @samp
33660
33661 @item R @var{mask}
33662 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
33663 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
33664 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
33665 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
33666 not fit in a 32-bit word.
33667
33668 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
33669 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
33670 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
33671 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
33672 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
33673 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
33674 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
33675
33676 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
33677 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
33678 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
33679 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
33680 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
33681 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
33682 packet).
33683
33684 @end table
33685
33686 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
33687 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
33688 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
33689 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
33690 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
33691 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
33692 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
33693 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
33694
33695 Replies:
33696 @table @samp
33697 @item OK
33698 The packet was understood and carried out.
33699 @item qRelocInsn
33700 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
33701 @item
33702 The packet was not recognized.
33703 @end table
33704
33705 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
33706 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
33707 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
33708 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
33709 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
33710 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
33711 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
33712 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
33713
33714 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
33715 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
33716 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
33717 fit in a single packet.
33718 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
33719 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
33720
33721 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
33722 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
33723 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
33724 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
33725
33726 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
33727 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
33728 query packets.
33729
33730 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
33731 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
33732 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
33733 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
33734 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
33735 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
33736 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
33737 be found.
33738
33739 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
33740 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
33741 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
33742 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
33743 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
33744 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
33745 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
33746 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
33747 mentioned in expressions.
33748
33749 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
33750 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
33751 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
33752 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
33753
33754 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
33755 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
33756 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
33757 one of the following forms:
33758
33759 @table @samp
33760 @item F @var{f}
33761 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
33762 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
33763 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
33764
33765 @item T @var{t}
33766 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
33767 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
33768
33769 @end table
33770
33771 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
33772 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
33773 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
33774 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
33775
33776 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
33777 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
33778 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
33779 is a hexadecimal number.
33780
33781 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
33782 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
33783 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
33784 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
33785 numbers.
33786
33787 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
33788 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
33789 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
33790
33791 @item QTStart
33792 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
33793 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
33794 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
33795 instruction reply packet}).
33796
33797 @item QTStop
33798 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
33799
33800 @item QTinit
33801 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
33802
33803 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
33804 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
33805 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
33806 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
33807
33808 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
33809 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
33810 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
33811 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
33812
33813 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
33814 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
33815 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
33816 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
33817 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
33818
33819 @item qTStatus
33820 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
33821
33822 The reply has the form:
33823
33824 @table @samp
33825
33826 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
33827 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
33828 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
33829 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
33830
33831 @end table
33832
33833 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
33834 explanations as one of the optional fields:
33835
33836 @table @samp
33837
33838 @item tnotrun:0
33839 No trace has been run yet.
33840
33841 @item tstop:0
33842 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command.
33843
33844 @item tfull:0
33845 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
33846
33847 @item tdisconnected:0
33848 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
33849
33850 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
33851 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
33852
33853 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
33854 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
33855 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
33856 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
33857 @var{text} is hex encoded.
33858
33859 @item tunknown:0
33860 The trace stopped for some other reason.
33861
33862 @end table
33863
33864 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
33865 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
33866 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
33867 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
33868 trace.
33869
33870 @table @samp
33871
33872 @item tframes:@var{n}
33873 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
33874
33875 @item tcreated:@var{n}
33876 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
33877 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
33878
33879 @item tsize:@var{n}
33880 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
33881
33882 @item tfree:@var{n}
33883 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
33884
33885 @item circular:@var{n}
33886 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
33887 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
33888 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
33889 and may fill up.
33890
33891 @item disconn:@var{n}
33892 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
33893 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
33894 that the trace run will stop.
33895
33896 @end table
33897
33898 @item qTV:@var{var}
33899 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
33900 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
33901 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
33902
33903 Replies:
33904 @table @samp
33905 @item V@var{value}
33906 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
33907 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
33908 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
33909 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
33910 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
33911 program is running.
33912
33913 @item U
33914 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
33915 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
33916 was not collected.
33917 @end table
33918
33919 @item qTfP
33920 @itemx qTsP
33921 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
33922 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
33923 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
33924 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
33925 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
33926
33927 @item qTfV
33928 @itemx qTsV
33929 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
33930 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
33931 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
33932 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
33933 trace state variables.
33934
33935 @item qTfSTM
33936 @itemx qTsSTM
33937 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
33938 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
33939 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
33940 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
33941
33942 Reply:
33943 @table @samp
33944 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
33945 A single marker
33946 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
33947 a comma-separated list of markers
33948 @item l
33949 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
33950 @item E @var{nn}
33951 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33952 @item
33953 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
33954 stub.
33955 @end table
33956
33957 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
33958 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
33959
33960 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
33961 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
33962 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
33963 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
33964 @dfn{last}).
33965
33966 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
33967 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
33968 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
33969 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
33970 tracepoint markers.
33971
33972 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
33973 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
33974 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
33975 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
33976 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
33977
33978 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
33979 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
33980 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
33981 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
33982 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
33983 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
33984 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
33985 available.
33986
33987 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
33988 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
33989 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
33990
33991 @end table
33992
33993 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
33994 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
33995 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
33996 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
33997 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
33998 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
33999 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
34000 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
34001 it had executed in the original location.
34002
34003 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
34004 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
34005 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
34006 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
34007 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
34008 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
34009 format of the request is:
34010
34011 @table @samp
34012 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
34013
34014 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
34015 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
34016 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
34017 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
34018 memory starting at @var{to}.
34019 @end table
34020
34021 Replies:
34022 @table @samp
34023 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
34024 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
34025 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
34026 @item E @var{NN}
34027 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
34028 relocating the instruction.
34029 @end table
34030
34031 @node Host I/O Packets
34032 @section Host I/O Packets
34033 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
34034 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
34035
34036 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
34037 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
34038 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
34039 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
34040 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
34041 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
34042 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
34043 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
34044 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
34045 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
34046
34047 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
34048 its arguments. They have this format:
34049
34050 @table @samp
34051
34052 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
34053 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
34054 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
34055 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
34056 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
34057 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
34058 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
34059 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
34060 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
34061
34062 @end table
34063
34064 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
34065
34066 @table @samp
34067
34068 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
34069 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
34070 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
34071 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
34072 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
34073 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
34074 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
34075 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
34076 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
34077 @var{attachment}.
34078
34079 @item
34080 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
34081
34082 @end table
34083
34084 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
34085
34086 @table @samp
34087 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
34088 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
34089 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
34090 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
34091 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
34092 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
34093 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
34094
34095 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
34096 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
34097 -1 if an error occurs.
34098
34099 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
34100 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
34101 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
34102 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
34103 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
34104 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
34105 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
34106 @var{count} was zero.
34107
34108 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
34109 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
34110 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
34111 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
34112 some characters were escaped.
34113
34114 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
34115 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
34116 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
34117 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
34118 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
34119 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
34120 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
34121 error occurred.
34122
34123 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
34124 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
34125 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
34126
34127 @end table
34128
34129 @node Interrupts
34130 @section Interrupts
34131 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
34132
34133 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
34134 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
34135 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
34136 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
34137
34138 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
34139 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
34140 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
34141 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
34142 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
34143
34144 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
34145 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
34146 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
34147 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
34148 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
34149 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
34150 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
34151 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
34152
34153 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
34154 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
34155 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
34156
34157 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
34158 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
34159 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
34160 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
34161 currently-executing threads and processes.
34162 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
34163 running program, it should send one of the stop
34164 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
34165 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
34166 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
34167 Interrupts received while the
34168 program is stopped are discarded.
34169
34170 @node Notification Packets
34171 @section Notification Packets
34172 @cindex notification packets
34173 @cindex packets, notification
34174
34175 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
34176 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
34177 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
34178 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
34179 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
34180 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
34181 is not a problem.
34182
34183 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
34184 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
34185 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
34186 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
34187 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
34188 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
34189 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
34190
34191 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
34192 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
34193
34194 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
34195 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
34196 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
34197 not they understand it.
34198
34199 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
34200 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
34201 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
34202 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
34203 recipients.
34204
34205 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
34206 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
34207 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
34208 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
34209 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
34210
34211 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
34212 defined:
34213
34214 @table @samp
34215 @item Stop: @var{reply}
34216 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
34217 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
34218 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
34219 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
34220 @value{GDBN}.
34221 @end table
34222
34223 @node Remote Non-Stop
34224 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
34225
34226 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
34227 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
34228 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
34229 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34230
34231 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
34232 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
34233 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
34234 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
34235 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
34236 probe the target state after a mode change.
34237
34238 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
34239 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
34240 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
34241 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
34242 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
34243 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
34244 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
34245 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
34246 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
34247 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
34248 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
34249
34250 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
34251 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
34252 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
34253 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
34254 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
34255 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
34256 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
34257 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
34258 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
34259 sending any queued stop events.
34260
34261 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
34262 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
34263 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
34264 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
34265 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
34266 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
34267 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
34268
34269 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
34270 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
34271 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
34272 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
34273 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
34274 process normally.
34275
34276 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
34277 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
34278 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
34279 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
34280 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
34281 should process normally.
34282
34283 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
34284 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
34285 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
34286 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
34287 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
34288
34289 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
34290 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
34291 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
34292 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
34293 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
34294 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
34295 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
34296 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
34297 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
34298 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
34299 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
34300 @samp{OK}.
34301
34302 @node Packet Acknowledgment
34303 @section Packet Acknowledgment
34304
34305 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
34306 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
34307 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
34308 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
34309 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
34310 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
34311 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
34312
34313 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
34314 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
34315 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
34316 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
34317 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
34318
34319 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
34320 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
34321 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
34322 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
34323
34324 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
34325 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
34326 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
34327 @pxref{qSupported}.
34328 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
34329 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
34330 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
34331 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
34332 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
34333 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
34334 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
34335
34336 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
34337 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
34338 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
34339 connection.
34340 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
34341 new connection is established,
34342 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
34343 for the current connection, once disabled.
34344
34345 @node Examples
34346 @section Examples
34347
34348 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
34349 does not get any direct output:
34350
34351 @smallexample
34352 -> @code{R00}
34353 <- @code{+}
34354 @emph{target restarts}
34355 -> @code{?}
34356 <- @code{+}
34357 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
34358 -> @code{+}
34359 @end smallexample
34360
34361 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
34362
34363 @smallexample
34364 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
34365 <- @code{+}
34366 -> @code{s}
34367 <- @code{+}
34368 @emph{time passes}
34369 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
34370 -> @code{+}
34371 -> @code{g}
34372 <- @code{+}
34373 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
34374 -> @code{+}
34375 @end smallexample
34376
34377 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
34378 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
34379 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
34380
34381 @menu
34382 * File-I/O Overview::
34383 * Protocol Basics::
34384 * The F Request Packet::
34385 * The F Reply Packet::
34386 * The Ctrl-C Message::
34387 * Console I/O::
34388 * List of Supported Calls::
34389 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
34390 * Constants::
34391 * File-I/O Examples::
34392 @end menu
34393
34394 @node File-I/O Overview
34395 @subsection File-I/O Overview
34396 @cindex file-i/o overview
34397
34398 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
34399 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
34400 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
34401 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
34402 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
34403 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
34404
34405 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
34406 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
34407 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
34408 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
34409 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
34410
34411 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
34412 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
34413 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
34414 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
34415 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
34416 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
34417 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
34418
34419 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
34420 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
34421 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
34422 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
34423 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
34424
34425 @smallexample
34426 (@value{GDBP}) continue
34427 <- target requests 'system call X'
34428 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
34429 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
34430 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
34431 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
34432 @end smallexample
34433
34434 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
34435 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
34436 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
34437 system are not supported by this protocol.
34438
34439 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
34440
34441 @node Protocol Basics
34442 @subsection Protocol Basics
34443 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
34444
34445 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
34446 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
34447 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
34448 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
34449 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
34450 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
34451 to call the appropriate host system call:
34452
34453 @itemize @bullet
34454 @item
34455 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
34456
34457 @item
34458 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
34459 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
34460 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
34461 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
34462
34463 @end itemize
34464
34465 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
34466
34467 @itemize @bullet
34468 @item
34469 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
34470 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
34471 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
34472 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
34473 packet.
34474
34475 @item
34476 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
34477 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
34478
34479 @item
34480 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
34481
34482 @item
34483 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
34484
34485 @item
34486 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
34487 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
34488 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
34489 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
34490 packet.
34491
34492 @end itemize
34493
34494 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
34495 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
34496
34497 @itemize @bullet
34498 @item
34499 Return value.
34500
34501 @item
34502 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
34503
34504 @item
34505 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
34506
34507 @end itemize
34508
34509 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
34510 the latest continue or step action.
34511
34512 @node The F Request Packet
34513 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
34514 @cindex file-i/o request packet
34515 @cindex @code{F} request packet
34516
34517 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
34518
34519 @table @samp
34520 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
34521
34522 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
34523 This is just the name of the function.
34524
34525 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
34526 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
34527 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
34528 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
34529 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
34530 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
34531 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
34532
34533 @end table
34534
34535
34536
34537 @node The F Reply Packet
34538 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
34539 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
34540 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
34541
34542 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
34543
34544 @table @samp
34545
34546 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
34547
34548 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
34549
34550 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
34551 representation.
34552 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
34553
34554 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
34555 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
34556 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
34557
34558 @smallexample
34559 F0,0,C
34560 @end smallexample
34561
34562 @noindent
34563 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
34564
34565 @smallexample
34566 F-1,4,C
34567 @end smallexample
34568
34569 @noindent
34570 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
34571
34572 @end table
34573
34574
34575 @node The Ctrl-C Message
34576 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
34577 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
34578
34579 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
34580 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
34581 the target should behave as if it had
34582 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
34583 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
34584 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
34585 packet.
34586
34587 It's important for the target to know in which
34588 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
34589
34590 @itemize @bullet
34591 @item
34592 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
34593
34594 @item
34595 The system call on the host has been finished.
34596
34597 @end itemize
34598
34599 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
34600 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
34601 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
34602 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
34603 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
34604 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
34605
34606 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
34607 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
34608 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
34609 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
34610 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
34611 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
34612 or the full action has been completed.
34613
34614 @node Console I/O
34615 @subsection Console I/O
34616 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
34617
34618 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
34619 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
34620 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
34621 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
34622 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
34623 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
34624 conditions is met:
34625
34626 @itemize @bullet
34627 @item
34628 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
34629 @code{read}
34630 system call is treated as finished.
34631
34632 @item
34633 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
34634 newline.
34635
34636 @item
34637 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
34638 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
34639
34640 @end itemize
34641
34642 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
34643 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
34644 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
34645 is stopped at the user's request.
34646
34647
34648 @node List of Supported Calls
34649 @subsection List of Supported Calls
34650 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
34651
34652 @menu
34653 * open::
34654 * close::
34655 * read::
34656 * write::
34657 * lseek::
34658 * rename::
34659 * unlink::
34660 * stat/fstat::
34661 * gettimeofday::
34662 * isatty::
34663 * system::
34664 @end menu
34665
34666 @node open
34667 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
34668 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
34669
34670 @table @asis
34671 @item Synopsis:
34672 @smallexample
34673 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
34674 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
34675 @end smallexample
34676
34677 @item Request:
34678 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
34679
34680 @noindent
34681 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
34682
34683 @table @code
34684 @item O_CREAT
34685 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
34686 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
34687 are concerned.
34688
34689 @item O_EXCL
34690 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
34691 an error and open() fails.
34692
34693 @item O_TRUNC
34694 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
34695 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
34696 truncated to zero length.
34697
34698 @item O_APPEND
34699 The file is opened in append mode.
34700
34701 @item O_RDONLY
34702 The file is opened for reading only.
34703
34704 @item O_WRONLY
34705 The file is opened for writing only.
34706
34707 @item O_RDWR
34708 The file is opened for reading and writing.
34709 @end table
34710
34711 @noindent
34712 Other bits are silently ignored.
34713
34714
34715 @noindent
34716 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
34717
34718 @table @code
34719 @item S_IRUSR
34720 User has read permission.
34721
34722 @item S_IWUSR
34723 User has write permission.
34724
34725 @item S_IRGRP
34726 Group has read permission.
34727
34728 @item S_IWGRP
34729 Group has write permission.
34730
34731 @item S_IROTH
34732 Others have read permission.
34733
34734 @item S_IWOTH
34735 Others have write permission.
34736 @end table
34737
34738 @noindent
34739 Other bits are silently ignored.
34740
34741
34742 @item Return value:
34743 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
34744 occurred.
34745
34746 @item Errors:
34747
34748 @table @code
34749 @item EEXIST
34750 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
34751
34752 @item EISDIR
34753 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
34754
34755 @item EACCES
34756 The requested access is not allowed.
34757
34758 @item ENAMETOOLONG
34759 @var{pathname} was too long.
34760
34761 @item ENOENT
34762 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
34763
34764 @item ENODEV
34765 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
34766
34767 @item EROFS
34768 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
34769 write access was requested.
34770
34771 @item EFAULT
34772 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
34773
34774 @item ENOSPC
34775 No space on device to create the file.
34776
34777 @item EMFILE
34778 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
34779
34780 @item ENFILE
34781 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
34782 has been reached.
34783
34784 @item EINTR
34785 The call was interrupted by the user.
34786 @end table
34787
34788 @end table
34789
34790 @node close
34791 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
34792 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
34793
34794 @table @asis
34795 @item Synopsis:
34796 @smallexample
34797 int close(int fd);
34798 @end smallexample
34799
34800 @item Request:
34801 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
34802
34803 @item Return value:
34804 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
34805
34806 @item Errors:
34807
34808 @table @code
34809 @item EBADF
34810 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
34811
34812 @item EINTR
34813 The call was interrupted by the user.
34814 @end table
34815
34816 @end table
34817
34818 @node read
34819 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
34820 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
34821
34822 @table @asis
34823 @item Synopsis:
34824 @smallexample
34825 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
34826 @end smallexample
34827
34828 @item Request:
34829 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
34830
34831 @item Return value:
34832 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
34833 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
34834 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
34835
34836 @item Errors:
34837
34838 @table @code
34839 @item EBADF
34840 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
34841 reading.
34842
34843 @item EFAULT
34844 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
34845
34846 @item EINTR
34847 The call was interrupted by the user.
34848 @end table
34849
34850 @end table
34851
34852 @node write
34853 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
34854 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
34855
34856 @table @asis
34857 @item Synopsis:
34858 @smallexample
34859 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
34860 @end smallexample
34861
34862 @item Request:
34863 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
34864
34865 @item Return value:
34866 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
34867 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
34868 is returned.
34869
34870 @item Errors:
34871
34872 @table @code
34873 @item EBADF
34874 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
34875 writing.
34876
34877 @item EFAULT
34878 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
34879
34880 @item EFBIG
34881 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
34882 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
34883
34884 @item ENOSPC
34885 No space on device to write the data.
34886
34887 @item EINTR
34888 The call was interrupted by the user.
34889 @end table
34890
34891 @end table
34892
34893 @node lseek
34894 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
34895 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
34896
34897 @table @asis
34898 @item Synopsis:
34899 @smallexample
34900 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
34901 @end smallexample
34902
34903 @item Request:
34904 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
34905
34906 @var{flag} is one of:
34907
34908 @table @code
34909 @item SEEK_SET
34910 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
34911
34912 @item SEEK_CUR
34913 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
34914 bytes.
34915
34916 @item SEEK_END
34917 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
34918 bytes.
34919 @end table
34920
34921 @item Return value:
34922 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
34923 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
34924 value of -1 is returned.
34925
34926 @item Errors:
34927
34928 @table @code
34929 @item EBADF
34930 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
34931
34932 @item ESPIPE
34933 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
34934
34935 @item EINVAL
34936 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
34937
34938 @item EINTR
34939 The call was interrupted by the user.
34940 @end table
34941
34942 @end table
34943
34944 @node rename
34945 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
34946 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
34947
34948 @table @asis
34949 @item Synopsis:
34950 @smallexample
34951 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
34952 @end smallexample
34953
34954 @item Request:
34955 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
34956
34957 @item Return value:
34958 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
34959
34960 @item Errors:
34961
34962 @table @code
34963 @item EISDIR
34964 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
34965 directory.
34966
34967 @item EEXIST
34968 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
34969
34970 @item EBUSY
34971 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
34972 process.
34973
34974 @item EINVAL
34975 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
34976 of itself.
34977
34978 @item ENOTDIR
34979 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
34980 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
34981 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
34982
34983 @item EFAULT
34984 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
34985
34986 @item EACCES
34987 No access to the file or the path of the file.
34988
34989 @item ENAMETOOLONG
34990
34991 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
34992
34993 @item ENOENT
34994 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
34995
34996 @item EROFS
34997 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
34998
34999 @item ENOSPC
35000 The device containing the file has no room for the new
35001 directory entry.
35002
35003 @item EINTR
35004 The call was interrupted by the user.
35005 @end table
35006
35007 @end table
35008
35009 @node unlink
35010 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
35011 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
35012
35013 @table @asis
35014 @item Synopsis:
35015 @smallexample
35016 int unlink(const char *pathname);
35017 @end smallexample
35018
35019 @item Request:
35020 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
35021
35022 @item Return value:
35023 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35024
35025 @item Errors:
35026
35027 @table @code
35028 @item EACCES
35029 No access to the file or the path of the file.
35030
35031 @item EPERM
35032 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
35033
35034 @item EBUSY
35035 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
35036 being used by another process.
35037
35038 @item EFAULT
35039 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35040
35041 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35042 @var{pathname} was too long.
35043
35044 @item ENOENT
35045 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
35046
35047 @item ENOTDIR
35048 A component of the path is not a directory.
35049
35050 @item EROFS
35051 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
35052
35053 @item EINTR
35054 The call was interrupted by the user.
35055 @end table
35056
35057 @end table
35058
35059 @node stat/fstat
35060 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
35061 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
35062 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
35063
35064 @table @asis
35065 @item Synopsis:
35066 @smallexample
35067 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
35068 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
35069 @end smallexample
35070
35071 @item Request:
35072 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
35073 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
35074
35075 @item Return value:
35076 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35077
35078 @item Errors:
35079
35080 @table @code
35081 @item EBADF
35082 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
35083
35084 @item ENOENT
35085 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
35086 path is an empty string.
35087
35088 @item ENOTDIR
35089 A component of the path is not a directory.
35090
35091 @item EFAULT
35092 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35093
35094 @item EACCES
35095 No access to the file or the path of the file.
35096
35097 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35098 @var{pathname} was too long.
35099
35100 @item EINTR
35101 The call was interrupted by the user.
35102 @end table
35103
35104 @end table
35105
35106 @node gettimeofday
35107 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
35108 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
35109
35110 @table @asis
35111 @item Synopsis:
35112 @smallexample
35113 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
35114 @end smallexample
35115
35116 @item Request:
35117 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
35118
35119 @item Return value:
35120 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
35121
35122 @item Errors:
35123
35124 @table @code
35125 @item EINVAL
35126 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
35127
35128 @item EFAULT
35129 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35130 @end table
35131
35132 @end table
35133
35134 @node isatty
35135 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
35136 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
35137
35138 @table @asis
35139 @item Synopsis:
35140 @smallexample
35141 int isatty(int fd);
35142 @end smallexample
35143
35144 @item Request:
35145 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
35146
35147 @item Return value:
35148 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
35149
35150 @item Errors:
35151
35152 @table @code
35153 @item EINTR
35154 The call was interrupted by the user.
35155 @end table
35156
35157 @end table
35158
35159 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
35160 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
35161 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
35162 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
35163 needed.
35164
35165
35166 @node system
35167 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
35168 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
35169
35170 @table @asis
35171 @item Synopsis:
35172 @smallexample
35173 int system(const char *command);
35174 @end smallexample
35175
35176 @item Request:
35177 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
35178
35179 @item Return value:
35180 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
35181 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
35182 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
35183 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
35184 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
35185 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
35186 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
35187
35188 @item Errors:
35189
35190 @table @code
35191 @item EINTR
35192 The call was interrupted by the user.
35193 @end table
35194
35195 @end table
35196
35197 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
35198 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
35199 the host is simplified before it's returned
35200 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
35201 is discarded, and the return value consists
35202 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
35203
35204 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
35205 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
35206 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
35207
35208 @table @code
35209 @item set remote system-call-allowed
35210 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
35211 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
35212 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
35213
35214 @item show remote system-call-allowed
35215 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
35216 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
35217 protocol.
35218 @end table
35219
35220 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
35221 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
35222 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
35223
35224 @menu
35225 * Integral Datatypes::
35226 * Pointer Values::
35227 * Memory Transfer::
35228 * struct stat::
35229 * struct timeval::
35230 @end menu
35231
35232 @node Integral Datatypes
35233 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
35234 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
35235
35236 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
35237 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
35238 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
35239
35240 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
35241 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
35242
35243 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
35244
35245 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
35246 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
35247
35248 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
35249
35250 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
35251 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
35252 byte order.
35253
35254 @node Pointer Values
35255 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
35256 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
35257
35258 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
35259 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
35260 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
35261 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
35262
35263 @smallexample
35264 @code{1aaf/12}
35265 @end smallexample
35266
35267 @noindent
35268 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
35269 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
35270 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
35271 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
35272
35273 @smallexample
35274 @code{123456/d}
35275 @end smallexample
35276
35277 @node Memory Transfer
35278 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
35279 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
35280
35281 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
35282 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
35283 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
35284 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
35285 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
35286 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
35287 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
35288
35289
35290 @node struct stat
35291 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
35292 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
35293
35294 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
35295 is defined as follows:
35296
35297 @smallexample
35298 struct stat @{
35299 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
35300 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
35301 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
35302 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
35303 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
35304 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
35305 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
35306 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
35307 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
35308 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
35309 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
35310 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
35311 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
35312 @};
35313 @end smallexample
35314
35315 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
35316 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
35317 structure is of size 64 bytes.
35318
35319 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
35320 range of values.
35321
35322 @table @code
35323
35324 @item st_dev
35325 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
35326
35327 @item st_ino
35328 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
35329
35330 @item st_mode
35331 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
35332 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
35333
35334 @item st_uid
35335 @itemx st_gid
35336 @itemx st_rdev
35337 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
35338
35339 @item st_atime
35340 @itemx st_mtime
35341 @itemx st_ctime
35342 These values have a host and file system dependent
35343 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
35344 support exact timing values.
35345 @end table
35346
35347 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
35348 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
35349 continuing.
35350
35351 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
35352 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
35353 get truncated on the target.
35354
35355 @node struct timeval
35356 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
35357 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
35358
35359 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
35360 is defined as follows:
35361
35362 @smallexample
35363 struct timeval @{
35364 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
35365 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
35366 @};
35367 @end smallexample
35368
35369 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
35370 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
35371 structure is of size 8 bytes.
35372
35373 @node Constants
35374 @subsection Constants
35375 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
35376
35377 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
35378 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
35379 values before and after the call as needed.
35380
35381 @menu
35382 * Open Flags::
35383 * mode_t Values::
35384 * Errno Values::
35385 * Lseek Flags::
35386 * Limits::
35387 @end menu
35388
35389 @node Open Flags
35390 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
35391 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
35392
35393 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
35394
35395 @smallexample
35396 O_RDONLY 0x0
35397 O_WRONLY 0x1
35398 O_RDWR 0x2
35399 O_APPEND 0x8
35400 O_CREAT 0x200
35401 O_TRUNC 0x400
35402 O_EXCL 0x800
35403 @end smallexample
35404
35405 @node mode_t Values
35406 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
35407 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
35408
35409 All values are given in octal representation.
35410
35411 @smallexample
35412 S_IFREG 0100000
35413 S_IFDIR 040000
35414 S_IRUSR 0400
35415 S_IWUSR 0200
35416 S_IXUSR 0100
35417 S_IRGRP 040
35418 S_IWGRP 020
35419 S_IXGRP 010
35420 S_IROTH 04
35421 S_IWOTH 02
35422 S_IXOTH 01
35423 @end smallexample
35424
35425 @node Errno Values
35426 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
35427 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
35428
35429 All values are given in decimal representation.
35430
35431 @smallexample
35432 EPERM 1
35433 ENOENT 2
35434 EINTR 4
35435 EBADF 9
35436 EACCES 13
35437 EFAULT 14
35438 EBUSY 16
35439 EEXIST 17
35440 ENODEV 19
35441 ENOTDIR 20
35442 EISDIR 21
35443 EINVAL 22
35444 ENFILE 23
35445 EMFILE 24
35446 EFBIG 27
35447 ENOSPC 28
35448 ESPIPE 29
35449 EROFS 30
35450 ENAMETOOLONG 91
35451 EUNKNOWN 9999
35452 @end smallexample
35453
35454 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
35455 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
35456
35457 @node Lseek Flags
35458 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
35459 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
35460
35461 @smallexample
35462 SEEK_SET 0
35463 SEEK_CUR 1
35464 SEEK_END 2
35465 @end smallexample
35466
35467 @node Limits
35468 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
35469 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
35470
35471 All values are given in decimal representation.
35472
35473 @smallexample
35474 INT_MIN -2147483648
35475 INT_MAX 2147483647
35476 UINT_MAX 4294967295
35477 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
35478 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
35479 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
35480 @end smallexample
35481
35482 @node File-I/O Examples
35483 @subsection File-I/O Examples
35484 @cindex file-i/o examples
35485
35486 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
35487 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
35488
35489 @smallexample
35490 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
35491 @emph{request memory read from target}
35492 -> @code{m1234,6}
35493 <- XXXXXX
35494 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
35495 -> @code{F6}
35496 @end smallexample
35497
35498 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
35499 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
35500
35501 @smallexample
35502 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35503 @emph{request memory write to target}
35504 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
35505 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
35506 -> @code{F6}
35507 @end smallexample
35508
35509 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
35510 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
35511
35512 @smallexample
35513 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35514 -> @code{F-1,9}
35515 @end smallexample
35516
35517 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
35518 host is called:
35519
35520 @smallexample
35521 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35522 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
35523 <- @code{T02}
35524 @end smallexample
35525
35526 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
35527 host is called:
35528
35529 @smallexample
35530 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35531 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
35532 <- @code{T02}
35533 @end smallexample
35534
35535 @node Library List Format
35536 @section Library List Format
35537 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
35538
35539 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
35540 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
35541 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
35542 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
35543 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
35544 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
35545 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
35546 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
35547 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
35548 are loaded.
35549
35550 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
35551 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
35552 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
35553 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
35554
35555 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
35556 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
35557 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
35558 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
35559 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
35560 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
35561
35562 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
35563 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
35564
35565 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
35566 offset, looks like this:
35567
35568 @smallexample
35569 <library-list>
35570 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
35571 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
35572 </library>
35573 </library-list>
35574 @end smallexample
35575
35576 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
35577 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
35578
35579 @smallexample
35580 <library-list>
35581 <library name="sharedlib.o">
35582 <section address="0x10000000"/>
35583 <section address="0x20000000"/>
35584 <section address="0x30000000"/>
35585 </library>
35586 </library-list>
35587 @end smallexample
35588
35589 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
35590
35591 @smallexample
35592 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
35593 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
35594 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
35595 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
35596 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
35597 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
35598 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
35599 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
35600 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
35601 @end smallexample
35602
35603 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
35604 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
35605 section for each library.
35606
35607 @node Memory Map Format
35608 @section Memory Map Format
35609 @cindex memory map format
35610
35611 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
35612 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
35613 memory map.
35614
35615 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
35616 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
35617 lists memory regions.
35618
35619 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
35620 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
35621
35622 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
35623
35624 @smallexample
35625 <?xml version="1.0"?>
35626 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
35627 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
35628 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
35629 <memory-map>
35630 region...
35631 </memory-map>
35632 @end smallexample
35633
35634 Each region can be either:
35635
35636 @itemize
35637
35638 @item
35639 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
35640 bytes from there:
35641
35642 @smallexample
35643 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
35644 @end smallexample
35645
35646
35647 @item
35648 A region of read-only memory:
35649
35650 @smallexample
35651 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
35652 @end smallexample
35653
35654
35655 @item
35656 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
35657 bytes in length:
35658
35659 @smallexample
35660 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
35661 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
35662 </memory>
35663 @end smallexample
35664
35665 @end itemize
35666
35667 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
35668 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
35669 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
35670
35671 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
35672
35673 @smallexample
35674 <!-- ................................................... -->
35675 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
35676 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
35677 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
35678 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
35679 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
35680 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
35681 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
35682 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
35683 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
35684 and its type, or device. -->
35685 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
35686 start CDATA #REQUIRED
35687 length CDATA #REQUIRED
35688 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
35689 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
35690 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
35691 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
35692 @end smallexample
35693
35694 @node Thread List Format
35695 @section Thread List Format
35696 @cindex thread list format
35697
35698 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
35699 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
35700 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
35701 the following structure:
35702
35703 @smallexample
35704 <?xml version="1.0"?>
35705 <threads>
35706 <thread id="id" core="0">
35707 ... description ...
35708 </thread>
35709 </threads>
35710 @end smallexample
35711
35712 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
35713 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
35714 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
35715 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
35716 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
35717
35718 @include agentexpr.texi
35719
35720 @node Trace File Format
35721 @appendix Trace File Format
35722 @cindex trace file format
35723
35724 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
35725 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
35726
35727 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
35728 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
35729 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
35730 in the future.
35731
35732 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
35733 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
35734 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
35735 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
35736 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
35737 of this section.
35738
35739 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
35740
35741 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
35742 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
35743 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
35744 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
35745 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
35746 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
35747 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
35748 endianness.
35749
35750 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
35751
35752 @table @code
35753 @item R @var{bytes}
35754 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
35755 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
35756 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
35757 hexadecimal encoding.
35758
35759 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
35760 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
35761 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
35762 @var{length} bytes.
35763
35764 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
35765 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
35766 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
35767
35768 @end table
35769
35770 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
35771 of blocks.
35772
35773 @node Target Descriptions
35774 @appendix Target Descriptions
35775 @cindex target descriptions
35776
35777 @strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
35778 and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
35779 The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
35780
35781 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
35782 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
35783 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
35784 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
35785 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
35786 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
35787 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
35788
35789 @itemize @bullet
35790 @item
35791 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
35792 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
35793 @item
35794 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
35795 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
35796 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
35797 @item
35798 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
35799 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
35800 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
35801 @end itemize
35802
35803 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
35804 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
35805 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
35806 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
35807 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
35808
35809 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
35810 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
35811
35812 @menu
35813 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
35814 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
35815 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
35816 descriptions.
35817 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
35818 @end menu
35819
35820 @node Retrieving Descriptions
35821 @section Retrieving Descriptions
35822
35823 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
35824 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
35825 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
35826 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
35827 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
35828 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
35829 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
35830 Format}.
35831
35832 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
35833 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
35834 specify a file are:
35835
35836 @table @code
35837 @cindex set tdesc filename
35838 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
35839 Read the target description from @var{path}.
35840
35841 @cindex unset tdesc filename
35842 @item unset tdesc filename
35843 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
35844 will use the description supplied by the current target.
35845
35846 @cindex show tdesc filename
35847 @item show tdesc filename
35848 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
35849 @end table
35850
35851
35852 @node Target Description Format
35853 @section Target Description Format
35854 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
35855
35856 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
35857 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
35858 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
35859 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
35860 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
35861 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
35862 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
35863
35864 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
35865 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
35866 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
35867 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
35868 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
35869
35870 Here is a simple target description:
35871
35872 @smallexample
35873 <target version="1.0">
35874 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
35875 </target>
35876 @end smallexample
35877
35878 @noindent
35879 This minimal description only says that the target uses
35880 the x86-64 architecture.
35881
35882 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
35883 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
35884 are explained further below.
35885
35886 @smallexample
35887 <?xml version="1.0"?>
35888 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
35889 <target version="1.0">
35890 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
35891 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
35892 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
35893 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
35894 </target>
35895 @end smallexample
35896
35897 @noindent
35898 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
35899 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
35900 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
35901 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
35902 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
35903 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
35904 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
35905 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
35906 the version mismatch.
35907
35908 @subsection Inclusion
35909 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
35910 @cindex XInclude
35911 @ifnotinfo
35912 @cindex <xi:include>
35913 @end ifnotinfo
35914
35915 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
35916 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
35917 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
35918 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
35919 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
35920
35921 @smallexample
35922 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
35923 @end smallexample
35924
35925 @noindent
35926 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
35927 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
35928 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
35929 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
35930 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
35931 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
35932 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
35933 original description.
35934
35935 @subsection Architecture
35936 @cindex <architecture>
35937
35938 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
35939
35940 @smallexample
35941 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
35942 @end smallexample
35943
35944 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
35945 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
35946
35947 @subsection OS ABI
35948 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
35949
35950 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
35951 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
35952
35953 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
35954
35955 @smallexample
35956 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
35957 @end smallexample
35958
35959 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
35960 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
35961
35962 @subsection Compatible Architecture
35963 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
35964
35965 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
35966 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
35967
35968 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
35969
35970 @smallexample
35971 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
35972 @end smallexample
35973
35974 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
35975 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
35976
35977 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
35978 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
35979 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
35980 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
35981 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
35982 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
35983 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
35984
35985 @smallexample
35986 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
35987 <compatible>spu</compatible>
35988 @end smallexample
35989
35990 @subsection Features
35991 @cindex <feature>
35992
35993 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
35994 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
35995 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
35996 has this form:
35997
35998 @smallexample
35999 <feature name="@var{name}">
36000 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
36001 @var{reg}@dots{}
36002 </feature>
36003 @end smallexample
36004
36005 @noindent
36006 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
36007 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
36008 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
36009 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
36010
36011 @subsection Types
36012
36013 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
36014 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
36015 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
36016 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
36017 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
36018
36019 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
36020 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
36021 Types must be defined before they are used.
36022
36023 @cindex <vector>
36024 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
36025 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
36026 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
36027 @var{count}:
36028
36029 @smallexample
36030 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
36031 @end smallexample
36032
36033 @cindex <union>
36034 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
36035 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
36036 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
36037 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
36038
36039 @smallexample
36040 <union id="@var{id}">
36041 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
36042 @dots{}
36043 </union>
36044 @end smallexample
36045
36046 @cindex <struct>
36047 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
36048 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
36049 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
36050 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
36051 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
36052 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
36053 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
36054 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
36055
36056 @smallexample
36057 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
36058 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
36059 @dots{}
36060 </struct>
36061 @end smallexample
36062
36063 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
36064 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
36065
36066 @smallexample
36067 <struct id="@var{id}">
36068 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
36069 @dots{}
36070 </struct>
36071 @end smallexample
36072
36073 @cindex <flags>
36074 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
36075 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
36076 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
36077 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
36078 are supported.
36079
36080 @smallexample
36081 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
36082 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
36083 @dots{}
36084 </flags>
36085 @end smallexample
36086
36087 @subsection Registers
36088 @cindex <reg>
36089
36090 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
36091
36092 @smallexample
36093 <reg name="@var{name}"
36094 bitsize="@var{size}"
36095 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
36096 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
36097 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
36098 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
36099 @end smallexample
36100
36101 @noindent
36102 The components are as follows:
36103
36104 @table @var
36105
36106 @item name
36107 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
36108
36109 @item bitsize
36110 The register's size, in bits.
36111
36112 @item regnum
36113 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
36114 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
36115 a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
36116 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
36117 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
36118 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
36119 in order of increasing register number.
36120
36121 @item save-restore
36122 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
36123 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
36124 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
36125 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
36126 ABI.
36127
36128 @item type
36129 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
36130 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
36131 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
36132 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
36133 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
36134 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
36135
36136 @item group
36137 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
36138 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
36139 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
36140 in @code{info registers}.
36141
36142 @end table
36143
36144 @node Predefined Target Types
36145 @section Predefined Target Types
36146 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
36147
36148 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
36149 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
36150 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
36151 types. The currently supported types are:
36152
36153 @table @code
36154
36155 @item int8
36156 @itemx int16
36157 @itemx int32
36158 @itemx int64
36159 @itemx int128
36160 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
36161
36162 @item uint8
36163 @itemx uint16
36164 @itemx uint32
36165 @itemx uint64
36166 @itemx uint128
36167 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
36168
36169 @item code_ptr
36170 @itemx data_ptr
36171 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
36172 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
36173 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
36174 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
36175 may be marked as data pointers.
36176
36177 @item ieee_single
36178 Single precision IEEE floating point.
36179
36180 @item ieee_double
36181 Double precision IEEE floating point.
36182
36183 @item arm_fpa_ext
36184 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
36185
36186 @item i387_ext
36187 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
36188
36189 @item i386_eflags
36190 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
36191
36192 @item i386_mxcsr
36193 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
36194
36195 @end table
36196
36197 @node Standard Target Features
36198 @section Standard Target Features
36199 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
36200
36201 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
36202 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
36203 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
36204 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
36205 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
36206 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
36207 can recognize them.
36208
36209 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
36210 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
36211 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
36212 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
36213 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
36214 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
36215 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
36216 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
36217
36218 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
36219 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
36220 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
36221
36222 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
36223 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
36224 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
36225 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
36226
36227 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
36228 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
36229 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
36230
36231 @menu
36232 * ARM Features::
36233 * i386 Features::
36234 * MIPS Features::
36235 * M68K Features::
36236 * PowerPC Features::
36237 @end menu
36238
36239
36240 @node ARM Features
36241 @subsection ARM Features
36242 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
36243
36244 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
36245 ARM targets.
36246 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
36247 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
36248
36249 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
36250 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
36251 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
36252 and @samp{xpsr}.
36253
36254 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
36255 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
36256
36257 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
36258 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
36259 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
36260 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
36261
36262 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
36263 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
36264 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
36265 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
36266 halves of the double-precision registers.
36267
36268 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
36269 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
36270 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
36271 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
36272 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
36273 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
36274
36275 @node i386 Features
36276 @subsection i386 Features
36277 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
36278
36279 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
36280 targets. It should describe the following registers:
36281
36282 @itemize @minus
36283 @item
36284 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
36285 @item
36286 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
36287 @item
36288 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
36289 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
36290 @item
36291 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
36292 @item
36293 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
36294 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
36295 @end itemize
36296
36297 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
36298
36299 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
36300 describe registers:
36301
36302 @itemize @minus
36303 @item
36304 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
36305 @item
36306 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
36307 @item
36308 @samp{mxcsr}
36309 @end itemize
36310
36311 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
36312 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
36313 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
36314
36315 @itemize @minus
36316 @item
36317 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
36318 @item
36319 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
36320 @end itemize
36321
36322 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
36323 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
36324
36325 @node MIPS Features
36326 @subsection MIPS Features
36327 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
36328
36329 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
36330 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
36331 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
36332 on the target.
36333
36334 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
36335 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
36336 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36337
36338 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
36339 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
36340 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
36341 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36342
36343 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
36344 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
36345 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
36346
36347 @node M68K Features
36348 @subsection M68K Features
36349 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
36350
36351 @table @code
36352 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
36353 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
36354 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
36355 One of those features must be always present.
36356 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
36357 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
36358 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
36359 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
36360
36361 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
36362 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
36363 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
36364 @samp{fpiaddr}.
36365 @end table
36366
36367 @node PowerPC Features
36368 @subsection PowerPC Features
36369 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
36370
36371 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
36372 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
36373 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
36374 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36375
36376 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
36377 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
36378
36379 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
36380 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
36381 and @samp{vrsave}.
36382
36383 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
36384 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
36385 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
36386 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
36387 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
36388 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
36389
36390 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
36391 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
36392 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
36393 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
36394 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
36395 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
36396 user.
36397
36398 @node Operating System Information
36399 @appendix Operating System Information
36400 @cindex operating system information
36401
36402 @menu
36403 * Process list::
36404 @end menu
36405
36406 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
36407 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
36408 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
36409 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
36410 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
36411 on a different aspect of target.
36412
36413 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
36414 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
36415 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
36416 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
36417
36418 @node Process list
36419 @appendixsection Process list
36420 @cindex operating system information, process list
36421
36422 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
36423 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
36424 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
36425 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
36426
36427 An example document is:
36428
36429 @smallexample
36430 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36431 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
36432 <osdata type="processes">
36433 <item>
36434 <column name="pid">1</column>
36435 <column name="user">root</column>
36436 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
36437 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
36438 </item>
36439 </osdata>
36440 @end smallexample
36441
36442 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
36443 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
36444 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
36445 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
36446 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
36447 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
36448 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
36449
36450 @include gpl.texi
36451
36452 @node GNU Free Documentation License
36453 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
36454 @include fdl.texi
36455
36456 @node Index
36457 @unnumbered Index
36458
36459 @printindex cp
36460
36461 @tex
36462 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
36463 % meantime:
36464 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
36465 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
36466 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
36467 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
36468 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
36469 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
36470 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
36471 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
36472 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
36473 \page\colophon
36474 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
36475 @end tex
36476
36477 @bye
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