dd0f7f61c0d7b47156f6232e15dc0f74957fb615
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
3 @c 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,
4 @c 2010, 2011 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c
6 @c %**start of header
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
9 @setfilename gdb.info
10 @c
11 @include gdb-cfg.texi
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @syncodeindex ky cp
24 @syncodeindex tp cp
25
26 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
28 @syncodeindex vr cp
29 @syncodeindex fn cp
30
31 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
33 @set EDITION Tenth
34
35 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
36 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
37
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39
40 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41 @c manuals to an info tree.
42 @dircategory Software development
43 @direntry
44 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
45 @end direntry
46
47 @copying
48 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
49 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
50 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
58
59 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62 @end copying
63
64 @ifnottex
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
71 @end ifset
72 Version @value{GDBVN}.
73
74 @insertcopying
75 @end ifnottex
76
77 @titlepage
78 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
80 @sp 1
81 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
85 @end ifset
86 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
87 @page
88 @tex
89 {\parskip=0pt
90 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
93 }
94 @end tex
95
96 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @end titlepage
104 @page
105
106 @ifnottex
107 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
108
109 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
110
111 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
112
113 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
114 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
115 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
116 @end ifset
117 Version @value{GDBVN}.
118
119 Copyright (C) 1988-2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
120
121 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
122 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
123 software in general. We will miss him.
124
125 @menu
126 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
127 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
128
129 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
130 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
131 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
132 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
133 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
134 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
135 * Stack:: Examining the stack
136 * Source:: Examining source files
137 * Data:: Examining data
138 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
139 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
140 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
141 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
142
143 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
144
145 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
146 * Altering:: Altering execution
147 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
148 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
149 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
150 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
151 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
152 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
153 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
154 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
155 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
156 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
157 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
158 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
159
160 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
161
162 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
163 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
164 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
165 @end ifset
166 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
167 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
168 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
169 @end ifclear
170 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
171 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
172 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
173 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
174 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
175 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
176 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
177 @value{GDBN}
178 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
179 the operating system
180 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
181 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
182 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
183 how you can copy and share GDB
184 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
185 * Index:: Index
186 @end menu
187
188 @end ifnottex
189
190 @contents
191
192 @node Summary
193 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
194
195 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
196 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
197 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
198
199 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
200 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
201
202 @itemize @bullet
203 @item
204 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
205
206 @item
207 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
208
209 @item
210 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
211
212 @item
213 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
214 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
215 @end itemize
216
217 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
218 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
219 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
220
221 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
222 @ref{D,,D}.
223
224 @cindex Modula-2
225 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
226 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
227
228 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
229 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
230
231 @cindex Pascal
232 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
233 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
234 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
235 syntax.
236
237 @cindex Fortran
238 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
239 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
240 underscore.
241
242 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
243 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
244
245 @menu
246 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
247 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
248 @end menu
249
250 @node Free Software
251 @unnumberedsec Free Software
252
253 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
254 General Public License
255 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
256 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
257 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
258 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
259 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
260 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
261
262 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
263 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
264 from anyone else.
265
266 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
267
268 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
269 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
270 include with the free software. Many of our most important
271 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
272 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
273 when an important free software package does not come with a free
274 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
275 gaps today.
276
277 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
278 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
279 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
280 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
281 them from the free software world.
282
283 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
284 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
285 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
286 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
287 contract to make it non-free.
288
289 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
290 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
291 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
292 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
293 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
294 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
295 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
296
297 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
298 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
299 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
300 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
301
302 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
303 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
304 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
305 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
306 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
307 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
308 community.
309
310 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
311 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
312 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
313 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
314 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
315 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
316 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
317 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
318 of the manual.
319
320 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
321 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
322 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
323 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
324 manual to replace it.
325
326 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
327 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
328 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
329 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
330 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
331 the free software community.
332
333 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
334 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
335 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
336 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
337 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
338 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
339 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
340 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
341 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
342
343 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
344 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
345 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
346 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
347 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
348 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
349 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
350 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
351
352 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
353 published by other publishers, at
354 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
355
356 @node Contributors
357 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
358
359 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
360 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
361 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
362 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
363 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
364 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
365 blow-by-blow account.
366
367 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
368
369 @quotation
370 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
371 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
372 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
373 @end quotation
374
375 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
376 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
377 releases:
378 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
379 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
380 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
381 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
382 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
383 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
384 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
385 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
386 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
387
388 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
389 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
390
391 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
392 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
393 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
394 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
395 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
396
397 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
398 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
399 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
400
401 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
402 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
403
404 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
405
406 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
407 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
408 support.
409 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
410 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
411 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
412 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
413 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
414 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
415 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
416 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
417 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
418 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
419 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
420 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
421 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
422 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
423 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
424 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
425
426 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
427
428 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
429 libraries.
430
431 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
432 about several machine instruction sets.
433
434 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
435 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
436 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
437 and RDI targets, respectively.
438
439 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
440 command-line editing and command history.
441
442 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
443 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
444
445 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
446 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
447 symbols.
448
449 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
450 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
451
452 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
453
454 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
455 processors.
456
457 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
458
459 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
460
461 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
462
463 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
464 watchpoints.
465
466 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
467
468 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
469
470 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
471 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
472
473 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
474 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
475 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
476 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
477 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
478 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
479 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
480
481 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
482 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
483
484 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
485 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
486 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
487 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
488 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
489 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
490 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
491 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
492 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
493 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
494 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
495 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
496 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
497 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
498 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
499
500 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
501 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
502
503 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
504 Hat.
505
506 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
507 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
508 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
509 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
510 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
511 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
512
513 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
514 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
515 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
516 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
517 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
518 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
519 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
520 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
521 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
522 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
523 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
524 Weigand.
525
526 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
527 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
528 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
529 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
530
531 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
532 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
533
534 @node Sample Session
535 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
536
537 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
538 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
539 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
540
541 @iftex
542 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
543 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
544 @end iftex
545
546 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
547 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
548
549 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
550 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
551 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
552 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
553 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
554 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
555 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
556 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
557 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
558
559 @smallexample
560 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
561 $ @b{./m4}
562 @b{define(foo,0000)}
563
564 @b{foo}
565 0000
566 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
567
568 @b{bar}
569 0000
570 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
571
572 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
573 @b{baz}
574 @b{Ctrl-d}
575 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
576 @end smallexample
577
578 @noindent
579 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
580
581 @smallexample
582 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
583 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
584 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
585 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
586 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
587 the conditions.
588 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
589 for details.
590
591 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
592 (@value{GDBP})
593 @end smallexample
594
595 @noindent
596 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
597 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
598 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
599 that examples fit in this manual.
600
601 @smallexample
602 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
603 @end smallexample
604
605 @noindent
606 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
607 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
608 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
609 @code{break} command.
610
611 @smallexample
612 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
613 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
614 @end smallexample
615
616 @noindent
617 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
618 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
619 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
620
621 @smallexample
622 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
623 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
624 @b{define(foo,0000)}
625
626 @b{foo}
627 0000
628 @end smallexample
629
630 @noindent
631 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
632 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
633 context where it stops.
634
635 @smallexample
636 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
637
638 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
639 at builtin.c:879
640 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
641 @end smallexample
642
643 @noindent
644 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
645 the next line of the current function.
646
647 @smallexample
648 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
649 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
650 : nil,
651 @end smallexample
652
653 @noindent
654 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
655 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
656 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
657 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
658
659 @smallexample
660 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
661 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
662 at input.c:530
663 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
664 @end smallexample
665
666 @noindent
667 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
668 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
669 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
670 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
671 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
672 stack frame for each active subroutine.
673
674 @smallexample
675 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
676 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
677 at input.c:530
678 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
679 at builtin.c:882
680 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
681 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
682 at macro.c:71
683 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
684 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
685 @end smallexample
686
687 @noindent
688 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
689 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
690 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
691
692 @smallexample
693 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
694 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
695 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
696 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
697 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
698 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
699 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
700 : xstrdup(rq);
701 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
702 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
703 @end smallexample
704
705 @noindent
706 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
707 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
708 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
709 (@code{print}) to see their values.
710
711 @smallexample
712 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
713 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
714 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
715 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
716 @end smallexample
717
718 @noindent
719 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
720 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
721 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
722
723 @smallexample
724 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
725 533 xfree(rquote);
726 534
727 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
728 : xstrdup (lq);
729 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
730 : xstrdup (rq);
731 537
732 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
733 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
734 540 @}
735 541
736 542 void
737 @end smallexample
738
739 @noindent
740 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
741 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
742
743 @smallexample
744 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
745 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
746 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
747 540 @}
748 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
749 $3 = 9
750 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
751 $4 = 7
752 @end smallexample
753
754 @noindent
755 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
756 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
757 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
758 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
759 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
760 assignments.
761
762 @smallexample
763 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
764 $5 = 7
765 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
766 $6 = 9
767 @end smallexample
768
769 @noindent
770 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
771 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
772 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
773 example that caused trouble initially:
774
775 @smallexample
776 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
777 Continuing.
778
779 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
780
781 baz
782 0000
783 @end smallexample
784
785 @noindent
786 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
787 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
788 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
789
790 @smallexample
791 @b{Ctrl-d}
792 Program exited normally.
793 @end smallexample
794
795 @noindent
796 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
797 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
798 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
799
800 @smallexample
801 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
802 @end smallexample
803
804 @node Invocation
805 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
806
807 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
808 The essentials are:
809 @itemize @bullet
810 @item
811 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
812 @item
813 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
814 @end itemize
815
816 @menu
817 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
818 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
819 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
820 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
821 @end menu
822
823 @node Invoking GDB
824 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
825
826 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
827 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
828
829 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
830 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
831
832 The command-line options described here are designed
833 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
834 options may effectively be unavailable.
835
836 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
837 specifying an executable program:
838
839 @smallexample
840 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
841 @end smallexample
842
843 @noindent
844 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
845 specified:
846
847 @smallexample
848 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
849 @end smallexample
850
851 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
852 to debug a running process:
853
854 @smallexample
855 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
856 @end smallexample
857
858 @noindent
859 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
860 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
861
862 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
863 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
864 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
865 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
866 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
867
868 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
869 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
870 option processing.
871 @smallexample
872 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
873 @end smallexample
874 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
875 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
876
877 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
878 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
879
880 @smallexample
881 @value{GDBP} -silent
882 @end smallexample
883
884 @noindent
885 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
886 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
887
888 @noindent
889 Type
890
891 @smallexample
892 @value{GDBP} -help
893 @end smallexample
894
895 @noindent
896 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
897 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
898
899 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
900 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
901 @samp{-x} option is used.
902
903
904 @menu
905 * File Options:: Choosing files
906 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
907 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
908 @end menu
909
910 @node File Options
911 @subsection Choosing Files
912
913 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
914 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
915 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
916 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
917 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
918 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
919 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
920 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
921 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
922 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
923 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
924 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
925 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
926
927 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
928 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
929 argument and ignore it.
930
931 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
932 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
933 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
934 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
935 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
936
937 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
938 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
939 @c it.
940
941 @table @code
942 @item -symbols @var{file}
943 @itemx -s @var{file}
944 @cindex @code{--symbols}
945 @cindex @code{-s}
946 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
947
948 @item -exec @var{file}
949 @itemx -e @var{file}
950 @cindex @code{--exec}
951 @cindex @code{-e}
952 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
953 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
954
955 @item -se @var{file}
956 @cindex @code{--se}
957 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
958 file.
959
960 @item -core @var{file}
961 @itemx -c @var{file}
962 @cindex @code{--core}
963 @cindex @code{-c}
964 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
965
966 @item -pid @var{number}
967 @itemx -p @var{number}
968 @cindex @code{--pid}
969 @cindex @code{-p}
970 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
971
972 @item -command @var{file}
973 @itemx -x @var{file}
974 @cindex @code{--command}
975 @cindex @code{-x}
976 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
977 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
978 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
979
980 @item -eval-command @var{command}
981 @itemx -ex @var{command}
982 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
983 @cindex @code{-ex}
984 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
985
986 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
987 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
988
989 @smallexample
990 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
991 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
992 @end smallexample
993
994 @item -directory @var{directory}
995 @itemx -d @var{directory}
996 @cindex @code{--directory}
997 @cindex @code{-d}
998 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
999
1000 @item -r
1001 @itemx -readnow
1002 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1003 @cindex @code{-r}
1004 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1005 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1006 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1007
1008 @end table
1009
1010 @node Mode Options
1011 @subsection Choosing Modes
1012
1013 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1014 batch mode or quiet mode.
1015
1016 @table @code
1017 @item -nx
1018 @itemx -n
1019 @cindex @code{--nx}
1020 @cindex @code{-n}
1021 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1022 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1023 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1024 Files}.
1025
1026 @item -quiet
1027 @itemx -silent
1028 @itemx -q
1029 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1030 @cindex @code{--silent}
1031 @cindex @code{-q}
1032 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1033 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1034
1035 @item -batch
1036 @cindex @code{--batch}
1037 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1038 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1039 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1040 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1041 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1042 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1043 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1044
1045 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1046 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1047 make this more useful, the message
1048
1049 @smallexample
1050 Program exited normally.
1051 @end smallexample
1052
1053 @noindent
1054 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1055 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1056 mode.
1057
1058 @item -batch-silent
1059 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1060 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1061 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1062 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1063 for an interactive session.
1064
1065 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1066 messages, for example.
1067
1068 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1069 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1070
1071 @item -return-child-result
1072 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1073 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1074 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1075
1076 @itemize @bullet
1077 @item
1078 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1079 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1080 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1081 @item
1082 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1083 @item
1084 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1085 the exit code will be -1.
1086 @end itemize
1087
1088 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1089 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1090 interface.
1091
1092 @item -nowindows
1093 @itemx -nw
1094 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1095 @cindex @code{-nw}
1096 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1097 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1098 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1099
1100 @item -windows
1101 @itemx -w
1102 @cindex @code{--windows}
1103 @cindex @code{-w}
1104 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1105 used if possible.
1106
1107 @item -cd @var{directory}
1108 @cindex @code{--cd}
1109 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1110 instead of the current directory.
1111
1112 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1113 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1114 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1115 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1116 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1117
1118 @item -fullname
1119 @itemx -f
1120 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1121 @cindex @code{-f}
1122 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1123 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1124 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1125 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1126 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1127 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1128 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1129 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1130 frame.
1131
1132 @item -epoch
1133 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1134 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1135 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1136 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1137 separate window.
1138
1139 @item -annotate @var{level}
1140 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1141 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1142 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1143 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1144 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1145 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1146 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1147 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1148 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1149
1150 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1151 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1152
1153 @item --args
1154 @cindex @code{--args}
1155 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1156 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1157 This option stops option processing.
1158
1159 @item -baud @var{bps}
1160 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1161 @cindex @code{--baud}
1162 @cindex @code{-b}
1163 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1164 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1165
1166 @item -l @var{timeout}
1167 @cindex @code{-l}
1168 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1169 for remote debugging.
1170
1171 @item -tty @var{device}
1172 @itemx -t @var{device}
1173 @cindex @code{--tty}
1174 @cindex @code{-t}
1175 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1176 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1177
1178 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1179 @item -tui
1180 @cindex @code{--tui}
1181 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1182 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1183 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1184 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1185 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1186 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1187 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1188
1189 @c @item -xdb
1190 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1191 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1192 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1193 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1194 @c systems.
1195
1196 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1197 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1198 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1199 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1200 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1201 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1202
1203 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1204 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1205 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1206 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1207 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1208 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1209
1210 @item -write
1211 @cindex @code{--write}
1212 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1213 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1214 (@pxref{Patching}).
1215
1216 @item -statistics
1217 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1218 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1219 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1220
1221 @item -version
1222 @cindex @code{--version}
1223 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1224 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1225
1226 @end table
1227
1228 @node Startup
1229 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1230 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1231
1232 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1233
1234 @enumerate
1235 @item
1236 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1237 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1238
1239 @item
1240 @cindex init file
1241 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1242 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1243 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1244 that file.
1245
1246 @item
1247 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1248 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1249 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1250 that file.
1251
1252 @item
1253 Processes command line options and operands.
1254
1255 @item
1256 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1257 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1258 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1259 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1260 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1261 @value{GDBN}.
1262
1263 @item
1264 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1265 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1266 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1267 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1268
1269 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1270 you must do something like the following:
1271
1272 @smallexample
1273 $ gdb -ex "set auto-load-scripts off" -ex "file myprogram"
1274 @end smallexample
1275
1276 The following does not work because the auto-loading is turned off too late:
1277
1278 @smallexample
1279 $ gdb -ex "set auto-load-scripts off" myprogram
1280 @end smallexample
1281
1282 @item
1283 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1284 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1285
1286 @item
1287 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1288 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1289 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1290 @end enumerate
1291
1292 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1293 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1294 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1295 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1296 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1297 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1298
1299 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1300 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1301
1302 @cindex init file name
1303 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1304 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1305 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1306 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1307 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1308 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1309 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1310 the file to the standard name.
1311
1312
1313 @node Quitting GDB
1314 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1315 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1316 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1317
1318 @table @code
1319 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1320 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1321 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1322 @itemx q
1323 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1324 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1325 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1326 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1327 error code.
1328 @end table
1329
1330 @cindex interrupt
1331 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1332 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1333 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1334 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1335 until a time when it is safe.
1336
1337 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1338 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1339 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1340
1341 @node Shell Commands
1342 @section Shell Commands
1343
1344 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1345 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1346 just use the @code{shell} command.
1347
1348 @table @code
1349 @kindex shell
1350 @cindex shell escape
1351 @item shell @var{command string}
1352 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1353 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1354 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1355 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1356 @end table
1357
1358 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1359 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1360 @value{GDBN}:
1361
1362 @table @code
1363 @kindex make
1364 @cindex calling make
1365 @item make @var{make-args}
1366 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1367 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1368 @end table
1369
1370 @node Logging Output
1371 @section Logging Output
1372 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1373 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1374
1375 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1376 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1377
1378 @table @code
1379 @kindex set logging
1380 @item set logging on
1381 Enable logging.
1382 @item set logging off
1383 Disable logging.
1384 @cindex logging file name
1385 @item set logging file @var{file}
1386 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1387 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1388 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1389 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1390 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1391 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1392 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1393 @kindex show logging
1394 @item show logging
1395 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1396 @end table
1397
1398 @node Commands
1399 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1400
1401 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1402 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1403 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1404 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1405 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1406
1407 @menu
1408 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1409 * Completion:: Command completion
1410 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1411 @end menu
1412
1413 @node Command Syntax
1414 @section Command Syntax
1415
1416 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1417 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1418 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1419 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1420 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1421 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1422
1423 @cindex abbreviation
1424 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1425 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1426 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1427 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1428 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1429 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1430 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1431
1432 @cindex repeating commands
1433 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1434 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1435 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1436 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1437 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1438 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1439 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1440
1441 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1442 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1443 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1444
1445 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1446 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1447 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1448 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1449 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1450
1451 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1452 @cindex comment
1453 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1454 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1455 Files,,Command Files}).
1456
1457 @cindex repeating command sequences
1458 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1459 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1460 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1461 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1462 for editing.
1463
1464 @node Completion
1465 @section Command Completion
1466
1467 @cindex completion
1468 @cindex word completion
1469 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1470 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1471 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1472 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1473
1474 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1475 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1476 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1477 enter it). For example, if you type
1478
1479 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1480 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1481 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1482 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1483 @smallexample
1484 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1485 @end smallexample
1486
1487 @noindent
1488 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1489 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1490
1491 @smallexample
1492 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1493 @end smallexample
1494
1495 @noindent
1496 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1497 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1498 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1499 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1500 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1501 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1502
1503 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1504 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1505 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1506 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1507 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1508 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1509 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1510 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1511 example:
1512
1513 @smallexample
1514 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1515 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1516 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1517 make_abs_section make_function_type
1518 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1519 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1520 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1521 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1522 @end smallexample
1523
1524 @noindent
1525 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1526 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1527 command.
1528
1529 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1530 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1531 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1532 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1533 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1534
1535 @cindex quotes in commands
1536 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1537 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1538 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1539 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1540 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1541 @value{GDBN} commands.
1542
1543 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1544 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1545 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1546 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1547 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1548 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1549 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1550 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1551 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1552 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1553 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1554
1555 @smallexample
1556 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1557 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1558 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1559 @end smallexample
1560
1561 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1562 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1563 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1564 place:
1565
1566 @smallexample
1567 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1568 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1569 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1570 @end smallexample
1571
1572 @noindent
1573 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1574 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1575 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1576
1577 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1578 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1579 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1580 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1581
1582 @cindex completion of structure field names
1583 @cindex structure field name completion
1584 @cindex completion of union field names
1585 @cindex union field name completion
1586 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1587 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1588 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1589 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1590 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1591 left-hand-side:
1592
1593 @smallexample
1594 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1595 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1596 to_data to_isatty to_write
1597 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1598 to_flush to_read
1599 @end smallexample
1600
1601 @noindent
1602 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1603 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1604 follows:
1605
1606 @smallexample
1607 struct ui_file
1608 @{
1609 int *magic;
1610 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1611 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1612 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1613 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1614 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1615 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1616 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1617 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1618 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1619 void *to_data;
1620 @}
1621 @end smallexample
1622
1623
1624 @node Help
1625 @section Getting Help
1626 @cindex online documentation
1627 @kindex help
1628
1629 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1630 using the command @code{help}.
1631
1632 @table @code
1633 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1634 @item help
1635 @itemx h
1636 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1637 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1638
1639 @smallexample
1640 (@value{GDBP}) help
1641 List of classes of commands:
1642
1643 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1644 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1645 data -- Examining data
1646 files -- Specifying and examining files
1647 internals -- Maintenance commands
1648 obscure -- Obscure features
1649 running -- Running the program
1650 stack -- Examining the stack
1651 status -- Status inquiries
1652 support -- Support facilities
1653 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1654 stopping the program
1655 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1656
1657 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1658 commands in that class.
1659 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1660 documentation.
1661 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1662 (@value{GDBP})
1663 @end smallexample
1664 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1665
1666 @item help @var{class}
1667 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1668 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1669 help display for the class @code{status}:
1670
1671 @smallexample
1672 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1673 Status inquiries.
1674
1675 List of commands:
1676
1677 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1678 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1679 info -- Generic command for showing things
1680 about the program being debugged
1681 show -- Generic command for showing things
1682 about the debugger
1683
1684 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1685 documentation.
1686 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1687 (@value{GDBP})
1688 @end smallexample
1689
1690 @item help @var{command}
1691 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1692 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1693
1694 @kindex apropos
1695 @item apropos @var{args}
1696 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1697 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1698 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1699
1700 @smallexample
1701 apropos reload
1702 @end smallexample
1703
1704 @noindent
1705 results in:
1706
1707 @smallexample
1708 @c @group
1709 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1710 multiple times in one run
1711 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1712 multiple times in one run
1713 @c @end group
1714 @end smallexample
1715
1716 @kindex complete
1717 @item complete @var{args}
1718 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1719 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1720 command you want completed. For example:
1721
1722 @smallexample
1723 complete i
1724 @end smallexample
1725
1726 @noindent results in:
1727
1728 @smallexample
1729 @group
1730 if
1731 ignore
1732 info
1733 inspect
1734 @end group
1735 @end smallexample
1736
1737 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1738 @end table
1739
1740 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1741 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1742 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1743 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1744 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1745 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1746
1747 @c @group
1748 @table @code
1749 @kindex info
1750 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1751 @item info
1752 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1753 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1754 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1755 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1756 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1757 @w{@code{help info}}.
1758
1759 @kindex set
1760 @item set
1761 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1762 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1763 @code{set prompt $}.
1764
1765 @kindex show
1766 @item show
1767 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1768 @value{GDBN} itself.
1769 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1770 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1771 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1772 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1773
1774 @kindex info set
1775 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1776 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1777 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1778 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1779 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1780 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1781 @end table
1782 @c @end group
1783
1784 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1785 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1786
1787 @table @code
1788 @kindex show version
1789 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1790 @item show version
1791 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1792 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1793 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1794 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1795 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1796 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1797 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1798 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1799 @value{GDBN}.
1800
1801 @kindex show copying
1802 @kindex info copying
1803 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1804 @item show copying
1805 @itemx info copying
1806 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1807
1808 @kindex show warranty
1809 @kindex info warranty
1810 @item show warranty
1811 @itemx info warranty
1812 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1813 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1814
1815 @end table
1816
1817 @node Running
1818 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1819
1820 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1821 debugging information when you compile it.
1822
1823 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1824 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1825 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1826 kill a child process.
1827
1828 @menu
1829 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1830 * Starting:: Starting your program
1831 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1832 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1833
1834 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1835 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1836 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1837 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1838
1839 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1840 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1841 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1842 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1843 @end menu
1844
1845 @node Compilation
1846 @section Compiling for Debugging
1847
1848 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1849 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1850 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1851 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1852 and addresses in the executable code.
1853
1854 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1855 the compiler.
1856
1857 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1858 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1859 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1860 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1861 executables containing debugging information.
1862
1863 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1864 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1865 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1866 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1867 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1868
1869 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1870 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1871 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1872
1873 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1874 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1875 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1876 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1877 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1878 provides macro information if you specify the options
1879 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1880 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1881 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1882 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1883 @option{-g} alone.
1884
1885 @need 2000
1886 @node Starting
1887 @section Starting your Program
1888 @cindex starting
1889 @cindex running
1890
1891 @table @code
1892 @kindex run
1893 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1894 @item run
1895 @itemx r
1896 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1897 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1898 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1899 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1900 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1901
1902 @end table
1903
1904 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1905 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1906 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1907 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1908 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1909 message like this one:
1910
1911 @smallexample
1912 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1913 Try "help target" or "continue".
1914 @end smallexample
1915
1916 @noindent
1917 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1918 first (@pxref{load}).
1919
1920 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1921 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1922 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1923 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1924 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1925 divided into four categories:
1926
1927 @table @asis
1928 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1929 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1930 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1931 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1932 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1933 the arguments.
1934 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1935 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1936 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1937
1938 @item The @emph{environment.}
1939 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1940 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1941 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1942 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1943
1944 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1945 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1946 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1947 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1948
1949 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1950 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1951 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1952 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1953 set a different device for your program.
1954 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1955
1956 @cindex pipes
1957 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1958 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1959 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1960 wrong program.
1961 @end table
1962
1963 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1964 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1965 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1966 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1967 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1968
1969 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1970 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1971 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1972 your current breakpoints.
1973
1974 @table @code
1975 @kindex start
1976 @item start
1977 @cindex run to main procedure
1978 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1979 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1980 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1981 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1982 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1983 procedure, depending on the language used.
1984
1985 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1986 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1987 the @samp{run} command.
1988
1989 @cindex elaboration phase
1990 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1991 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1992 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1993 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1994 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1995 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1996 will remain to halt execution.
1997
1998 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1999 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2000 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2001 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2002 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2003
2004 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2005 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2006 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2007 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2008 elaboration code before running your program.
2009
2010 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2011 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2012 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2013 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2014 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2015 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2016 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2017 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2018 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2019 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2020 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2021
2022 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2023 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2024 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2025 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2026
2027 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2028 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2029 environment:
2030
2031 @smallexample
2032 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2033 (@value{GDBP}) run
2034 @end smallexample
2035
2036 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2037 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2038
2039 @kindex set disable-randomization
2040 @item set disable-randomization
2041 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2042 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2043 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2044 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2045 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2046
2047 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2048 behavior using
2049
2050 @smallexample
2051 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2052 @end smallexample
2053
2054 @item set disable-randomization off
2055 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2056 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2057 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2058 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2059 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2060 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2061
2062 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2063 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2064 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2065 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2066 a code at its expected addresses.
2067
2068 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2069 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2070 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2071 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2072 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2073 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2074 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2075 a randomly chosen address.
2076
2077 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2078 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2079 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2080 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2081 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2082
2083 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2084 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2085
2086 @item show disable-randomization
2087 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2088 the virtual address space of the started program.
2089
2090 @end table
2091
2092 @node Arguments
2093 @section Your Program's Arguments
2094
2095 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2096 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2097 @code{run} command.
2098 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2099 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2100 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2101 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2102 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2103
2104 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2105 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2106 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2107 the program, not by the shell.
2108
2109 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2110 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2111
2112 @table @code
2113 @kindex set args
2114 @item set args
2115 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2116 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2117 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2118 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2119 it again without arguments.
2120
2121 @kindex show args
2122 @item show args
2123 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2124 @end table
2125
2126 @node Environment
2127 @section Your Program's Environment
2128
2129 @cindex environment (of your program)
2130 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2131 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2132 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2133 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2134 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2135 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2136 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2137
2138 @table @code
2139 @kindex path
2140 @item path @var{directory}
2141 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2142 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2143 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2144 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2145 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2146 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2147 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2148
2149 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2150 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2151 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2152 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2153 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2154 @var{directory} to the search path.
2155 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2156 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2157
2158 @kindex show paths
2159 @item show paths
2160 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2161 environment variable).
2162
2163 @kindex show environment
2164 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2165 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2166 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2167 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2168 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2169
2170 @kindex set environment
2171 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2172 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2173 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2174 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2175 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2176 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2177 null value.
2178 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2179 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2180
2181 For example, this command:
2182
2183 @smallexample
2184 set env USER = foo
2185 @end smallexample
2186
2187 @noindent
2188 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2189 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2190 are not actually required.)
2191
2192 @kindex unset environment
2193 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2194 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2195 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2196 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2197 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2198 @end table
2199
2200 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2201 the shell indicated
2202 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2203 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2204 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2205 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2206 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2207 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2208 @file{.profile}.
2209
2210 @node Working Directory
2211 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2212
2213 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2214 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2215 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2216 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2217 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2218 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2219
2220 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2221 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2222 Specify Files}.
2223
2224 @table @code
2225 @kindex cd
2226 @cindex change working directory
2227 @item cd @var{directory}
2228 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2229
2230 @kindex pwd
2231 @item pwd
2232 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2233 @end table
2234
2235 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2236 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2237 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2238 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2239 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2240 current working directory of the debuggee.
2241
2242 @node Input/Output
2243 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2244
2245 @cindex redirection
2246 @cindex i/o
2247 @cindex terminal
2248 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2249 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2250 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2251 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2252 running your program.
2253
2254 @table @code
2255 @kindex info terminal
2256 @item info terminal
2257 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2258 program is using.
2259 @end table
2260
2261 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2262 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2263
2264 @smallexample
2265 run > outfile
2266 @end smallexample
2267
2268 @noindent
2269 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2270
2271 @kindex tty
2272 @cindex controlling terminal
2273 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2274 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2275 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2276 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2277 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2278
2279 @smallexample
2280 tty /dev/ttyb
2281 @end smallexample
2282
2283 @noindent
2284 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2285 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2286 that as their controlling terminal.
2287
2288 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2289 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2290 terminal.
2291
2292 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2293 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2294 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2295 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2296
2297 @cindex inferior tty
2298 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2299 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2300 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2301 program.
2302
2303 @table @code
2304 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2305 @kindex set inferior-tty
2306 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2307
2308 @item show inferior-tty
2309 @kindex show inferior-tty
2310 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2311 @end table
2312
2313 @node Attach
2314 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2315 @kindex attach
2316 @cindex attach
2317
2318 @table @code
2319 @item attach @var{process-id}
2320 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2321 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2322 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2323 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2324 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2325
2326 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2327 executing the command.
2328 @end table
2329
2330 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2331 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2332 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2333 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2334
2335 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2336 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2337 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2338 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2339 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2340 Specify Files}.
2341
2342 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2343 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2344 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2345 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2346 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2347 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2348 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2349
2350 @table @code
2351 @kindex detach
2352 @item detach
2353 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2354 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2355 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2356 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2357 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2358 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2359 executing the command.
2360 @end table
2361
2362 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2363 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2364 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2365 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2366 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2367 Messages}).
2368
2369 @node Kill Process
2370 @section Killing the Child Process
2371
2372 @table @code
2373 @kindex kill
2374 @item kill
2375 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2376 @end table
2377
2378 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2379 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2380 is running.
2381
2382 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2383 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2384 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2385 outside the debugger.
2386
2387 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2388 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2389 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2390 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2391 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2392 breakpoint settings).
2393
2394 @node Inferiors and Programs
2395 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2396
2397 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2398 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2399 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2400 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2401 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2402 from multiple executables.
2403
2404 @cindex inferior
2405 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2406 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2407 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2408 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2409 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2410 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2411 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2412 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2413 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2414 threads running in it.
2415
2416 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2417 inferiors}}:
2418
2419 @table @code
2420 @kindex info inferiors
2421 @item info inferiors
2422 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2423
2424 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2425
2426 @enumerate
2427 @item
2428 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2429
2430 @item
2431 the target system's inferior identifier
2432
2433 @item
2434 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2435
2436 @end enumerate
2437
2438 @noindent
2439 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2440 indicates the current inferior.
2441
2442 For example,
2443 @end table
2444 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2445
2446 @smallexample
2447 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2448 Num Description Executable
2449 2 process 2307 hello
2450 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2451 @end smallexample
2452
2453 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2454
2455 @table @code
2456 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2457 @item inferior @var{infno}
2458 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2459 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2460 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2461 @end table
2462
2463
2464 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2465 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2466 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2467 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2468 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2469 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2470
2471 @table @code
2472 @kindex add-inferior
2473 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2474 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2475 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2476 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2477 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2478 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2479
2480 @kindex clone-inferior
2481 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2482 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2483 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2484 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2485 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2486
2487 @smallexample
2488 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2489 Num Description Executable
2490 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2491 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2492 Added inferior 2.
2493 1 inferiors added.
2494 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2495 Num Description Executable
2496 2 <null> helloworld
2497 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2498 @end smallexample
2499
2500 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2501
2502 @kindex remove-inferiors
2503 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2504 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2505 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2506 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2507
2508 @end table
2509
2510 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2511 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2512 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2513 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2514
2515 @table @code
2516 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2517 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2518 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2519 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2520 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2521 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2522
2523 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2524 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2525 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2526 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2527 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2528 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2529 @end table
2530
2531 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2532 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2533 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2534 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2535
2536
2537 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2538 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2539
2540 @table @code
2541 @kindex set print inferior-events
2542 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2543 @item set print inferior-events
2544 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2545 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2546 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2547 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2548 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2549 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2550
2551 @kindex show print inferior-events
2552 @item show print inferior-events
2553 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2554 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2555 @end table
2556
2557 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2558 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2559 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2560
2561
2562 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2563 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2564 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2565 info program-spaces}} command.
2566
2567 @table @code
2568 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2569 @item maint info program-spaces
2570 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2571 @value{GDBN}.
2572
2573 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2574
2575 @enumerate
2576 @item
2577 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2578
2579 @item
2580 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2581 the @code{file} command.
2582
2583 @end enumerate
2584
2585 @noindent
2586 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2587 indicates the current program space.
2588
2589 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2590 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2591 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2592
2593 @smallexample
2594 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2595 Id Executable
2596 2 goodbye
2597 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2598 * 1 hello
2599 @end smallexample
2600
2601 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2602 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2603 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2604 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2605 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2606
2607 @smallexample
2608 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2609 Id Executable
2610 * 1 vfork-test
2611 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2612 @end smallexample
2613
2614 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2615 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2616 @end table
2617
2618 @node Threads
2619 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2620
2621 @cindex threads of execution
2622 @cindex multiple threads
2623 @cindex switching threads
2624 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2625 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2626 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2627 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2628 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2629 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2630 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2631
2632 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2633 programs:
2634
2635 @itemize @bullet
2636 @item automatic notification of new threads
2637 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2638 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2639 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2640 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2641 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2642 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2643 messages on thread start and exit.
2644 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2645 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2646 isn't compatible with the program.
2647 @end itemize
2648
2649 @quotation
2650 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2651 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2652 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2653 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2654 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2655 like this:
2656
2657 @smallexample
2658 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2659 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2660 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2661 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2662 @end smallexample
2663 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2664 @c doesn't support threads"?
2665 @end quotation
2666
2667 @cindex focus of debugging
2668 @cindex current thread
2669 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2670 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2671 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2672 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2673 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2674
2675 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2676 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2677 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2678 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2679 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2680 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2681 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2682 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2683 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2684 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2685
2686 @smallexample
2687 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2688 @end smallexample
2689
2690 @noindent
2691 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2692 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2693 further qualifier.
2694
2695 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2696 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2697 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2698 @c program?
2699 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2700 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2701 @c threads ab initio?
2702
2703 @cindex thread number
2704 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2705 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2706 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2707
2708 @table @code
2709 @kindex info threads
2710 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2711 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2712 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2713 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2714 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2715
2716 @enumerate
2717 @item
2718 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2719
2720 @item
2721 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2722
2723 @item
2724 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2725 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2726 program itself.
2727
2728 @item
2729 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2730 @end enumerate
2731
2732 @noindent
2733 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2734 indicates the current thread.
2735
2736 For example,
2737 @end table
2738 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2739
2740 @smallexample
2741 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2742 Id Target Id Frame
2743 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2744 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2745 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2746 at threadtest.c:68
2747 @end smallexample
2748
2749 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2750 Solaris-specific command:
2751
2752 @table @code
2753 @item maint info sol-threads
2754 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2755 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2756 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2757 @end table
2758
2759 @table @code
2760 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2761 @item thread @var{threadno}
2762 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2763 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2764 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2765 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2766 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2767
2768 @smallexample
2769 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2770 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2771 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2772 8 printf ("hello\n");
2773 @end smallexample
2774
2775 @noindent
2776 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2777 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2778 threads.
2779
2780 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2781 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2782 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2783 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2784 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2785 information on convenience variables.
2786
2787 @kindex thread apply
2788 @cindex apply command to several threads
2789 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2790 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2791 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2792 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2793 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2794 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2795 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2796 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2797
2798 @kindex thread name
2799 @cindex name a thread
2800 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2801 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2802 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2803 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2804
2805 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2806 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2807 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2808 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2809 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2810
2811 @kindex thread find
2812 @cindex search for a thread
2813 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2814 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2815 matches the supplied regular expression.
2816
2817 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2818 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2819 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2820 is the LWP id.
2821
2822 @smallexample
2823 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2824 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2825 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2826 Id Target Id Frame
2827 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2828 @end smallexample
2829
2830 @kindex set print thread-events
2831 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2832 @item set print thread-events
2833 @itemx set print thread-events on
2834 @itemx set print thread-events off
2835 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2836 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2837 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2838 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2839 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2840
2841 @kindex show print thread-events
2842 @item show print thread-events
2843 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2844 have started and exited.
2845 @end table
2846
2847 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2848 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2849 programs with multiple threads.
2850
2851 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2852 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2853
2854 @table @code
2855 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2856 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2857 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2858 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2859 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2860 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2861 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2862 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2863 macro.
2864
2865 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2866 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2867 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2868 to find @code{libthread_db}.
2869
2870 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2871 refers to the default system directories that are
2872 normally searched for loading shared libraries.
2873
2874 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2875 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2876 was loaded in the inferior process.
2877
2878 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2879 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2880 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2881 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2882 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2883 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2884 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2885
2886 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2887 only on some platforms.
2888
2889 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2890 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2891 Display current libthread_db search path.
2892
2893 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2894 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2895 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2896 @item set debug libthread-db
2897 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2898 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2899 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2900 @end table
2901
2902 @node Forks
2903 @section Debugging Forks
2904
2905 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2906 @cindex multiple processes
2907 @cindex processes, multiple
2908 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2909 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2910 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2911 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2912 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2913 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2914 will cause it to terminate.
2915
2916 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2917 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2918 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2919 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2920 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2921 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2922 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2923 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2924 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2925 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2926
2927 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2928 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2929 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2930 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2931
2932 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2933 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2934
2935 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2936 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2937
2938 @table @code
2939 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2940 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2941 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2942 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2943 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2944
2945 @table @code
2946 @item parent
2947 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2948 unimpeded. This is the default.
2949
2950 @item child
2951 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2952 unimpeded.
2953
2954 @end table
2955
2956 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2957 @item show follow-fork-mode
2958 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2959 @end table
2960
2961 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2962 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2963 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2964
2965 @table @code
2966 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2967 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2968 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2969 retain debugger control over them both.
2970
2971 @table @code
2972 @item on
2973 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2974 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2975 independently. This is the default.
2976
2977 @item off
2978 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2979 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2980 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2981 is held suspended.
2982
2983 @end table
2984
2985 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2986 @item show detach-on-fork
2987 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2988 @end table
2989
2990 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2991 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2992 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2993 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2994 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2995 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2996
2997 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2998 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
2999 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3000 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3001 and Programs}.
3002
3003 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3004 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3005 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3006 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3007 the child process's @code{main}.
3008
3009 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3010 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3011
3012 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3013 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3014 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3015 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3016 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3017 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3018 command.
3019
3020 @table @code
3021 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3022 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3023
3024 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3025 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3026
3027 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3028
3029 @table @code
3030 @item new
3031 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3032 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3033 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3034 original inferior.
3035
3036 For example:
3037
3038 @smallexample
3039 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3040 (gdb) info inferior
3041 Id Description Executable
3042 * 1 <null> prog1
3043 (@value{GDBP}) run
3044 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3045 Program exited normally.
3046 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3047 Id Description Executable
3048 * 2 <null> prog2
3049 1 <null> prog1
3050 @end smallexample
3051
3052 @item same
3053 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3054 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3055 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3056 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3057 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3058
3059 For example:
3060
3061 @smallexample
3062 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3063 Id Description Executable
3064 * 1 <null> prog1
3065 (@value{GDBP}) run
3066 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3067 Program exited normally.
3068 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3069 Id Description Executable
3070 * 1 <null> prog2
3071 @end smallexample
3072
3073 @end table
3074 @end table
3075
3076 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3077 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3078 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3079
3080 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3081 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3082
3083 @cindex checkpoint
3084 @cindex restart
3085 @cindex bookmark
3086 @cindex snapshot of a process
3087 @cindex rewind program state
3088
3089 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3090 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3091 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3092 later.
3093
3094 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3095 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3096 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3097 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3098 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3099
3100 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3101 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3102 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3103 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3104 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3105 start again from there.
3106
3107 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3108 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3109
3110 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3111
3112 @table @code
3113 @kindex checkpoint
3114 @item checkpoint
3115 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3116 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3117 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3118
3119 @kindex info checkpoints
3120 @item info checkpoints
3121 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3122 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3123 listed:
3124
3125 @table @code
3126 @item Checkpoint ID
3127 @item Process ID
3128 @item Code Address
3129 @item Source line, or label
3130 @end table
3131
3132 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3133 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3134 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3135 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3136 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3137 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3138 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3139
3140 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3141 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3142 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3143 the debugger.
3144
3145 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3146 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3147 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3148
3149 @end table
3150
3151 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3152 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3153 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3154 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3155 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3156 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3157 previously read data can be read again.
3158
3159 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3160 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3161 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3162 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3163 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3164 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3165
3166 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3167 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3168 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3169 different execution path this time.
3170
3171 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3172 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3173 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3174 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3175 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3176 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3177 potentially pose a problem.
3178
3179 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3180
3181 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3182 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3183 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3184 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3185 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3186 next.
3187
3188 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3189 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3190 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3191 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3192 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3193
3194 @node Stopping
3195 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3196
3197 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3198 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3199 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3200
3201 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3202 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3203 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3204 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3205 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3206 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3207 explicitly request this information at any time.
3208
3209 @table @code
3210 @kindex info program
3211 @item info program
3212 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3213 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3214 @end table
3215
3216 @menu
3217 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3218 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3219 * Signals:: Signals
3220 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3221 @end menu
3222
3223 @node Breakpoints
3224 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3225
3226 @cindex breakpoints
3227 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3228 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3229 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3230 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3231 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3232 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3233 program.
3234
3235 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3236 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3237 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3238 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3239 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3240 call).
3241
3242 @cindex watchpoints
3243 @cindex data breakpoints
3244 @cindex memory tracing
3245 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3246 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3247 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3248 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3249 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3250 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3251 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3252 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3253 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3254 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3255 same commands.
3256
3257 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3258 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3259 Automatic Display}.
3260
3261 @cindex catchpoints
3262 @cindex breakpoint on events
3263 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3264 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3265 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3266 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3267 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3268 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3269 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3270
3271 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3272 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3273 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3274 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3275 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3276 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3277 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3278 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3279 enable it again.
3280
3281 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3282 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3283 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3284 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3285 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3286 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3287 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3288
3289 @menu
3290 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3291 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3292 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3293 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3294 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3295 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3296 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3297 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3298 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3299 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3300 @end menu
3301
3302 @node Set Breaks
3303 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3304
3305 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3306 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3307 @c
3308 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3309
3310 @kindex break
3311 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3312 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3313 @cindex latest breakpoint
3314 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3315 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3316 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3317 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3318 convenience variables.
3319
3320 @table @code
3321 @item break @var{location}
3322 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3323 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3324 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3325 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3326 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3327
3328 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3329 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3330 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3331 that situation.
3332
3333 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3334 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3335 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3336
3337 @item break
3338 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3339 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3340 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3341 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3342 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3343 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3344 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3345 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3346 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3347 inside loops.
3348
3349 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3350 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3351 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3352 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3353 existed when your program stopped.
3354
3355 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3356 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3357 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3358 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3359 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3360 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3361 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3362
3363 @kindex tbreak
3364 @item tbreak @var{args}
3365 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3366 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3367 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3368 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3369
3370 @kindex hbreak
3371 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3372 @item hbreak @var{args}
3373 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3374 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3375 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3376 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3377 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3378 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3379 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3380 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3381 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3382 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3383 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3384 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3385 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3386 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3387 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3388 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3389 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3390 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3391
3392 @kindex thbreak
3393 @item thbreak @var{args}
3394 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3395 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3396 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3397 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3398 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3399 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3400 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3401 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3402
3403 @kindex rbreak
3404 @cindex regular expression
3405 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3406 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3407 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3408 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3409 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3410 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3411 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3412 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3413 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3414
3415 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3416 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3417 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3418 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3419 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3420 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3421
3422 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3423 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3424 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3425 classes.
3426
3427 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3428 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3429 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3430
3431 @smallexample
3432 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3433 @end smallexample
3434
3435 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3436 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3437 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3438 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3439 every function in a given file:
3440
3441 @smallexample
3442 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3443 @end smallexample
3444
3445 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3446 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3447
3448 @kindex info breakpoints
3449 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3450 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3451 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3452 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3453 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3454 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3455 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3456
3457 @table @emph
3458 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3459 @item Type
3460 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3461 @item Disposition
3462 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3463 @item Enabled or Disabled
3464 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3465 that are not enabled.
3466 @item Address
3467 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3468 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3469 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3470 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3471 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3472 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3473 @item What
3474 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3475 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3476 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3477 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3478 @end table
3479
3480 @noindent
3481 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3482 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3483 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3484 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3485 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3486 valid location.
3487
3488 @noindent
3489 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3490 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3491 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3492 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3493 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3494
3495 @noindent
3496 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3497 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3498 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3499 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3500 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3501 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3502 @end table
3503
3504 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3505 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3506 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3507 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3508
3509 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3510 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3511 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3512 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3513
3514 @itemize @bullet
3515 @item
3516 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3517 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3518
3519 @item
3520 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3521 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3522
3523 @item
3524 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3525 several places where that function is inlined.
3526 @end itemize
3527
3528 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3529 the relevant locations@footnote{
3530 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3531 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3532 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3533 info with line numbers for them.}.
3534
3535 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3536 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3537 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3538 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3539 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3540 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3541 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3542
3543 For example:
3544
3545 @smallexample
3546 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3547 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3548 stop only if i==1
3549 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3550 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3551 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3552 @end smallexample
3553
3554 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3555 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3556 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3557 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3558 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3559 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3560 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3561 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3562 that belong to that breakpoint.
3563
3564 @cindex pending breakpoints
3565 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3566 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3567 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3568 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3569 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3570 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3571 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3572 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3573 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3574 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3575 is not yet resolved.
3576
3577 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3578 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3579 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3580 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3581 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3582 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3583
3584 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3585 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3586 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3587 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3588
3589 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3590 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3591 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3592
3593 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3594 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3595 address specification to an address:
3596
3597 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3598 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3599 @table @code
3600 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3601 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3602 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3603
3604 @item set breakpoint pending on
3605 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3606 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3607
3608 @item set breakpoint pending off
3609 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3610 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3611 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3612
3613 @item show breakpoint pending
3614 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3615 @end table
3616
3617 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3618 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3619 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3620
3621 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3622 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3623 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3624 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3625 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3626 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3627 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3628 breakpoints.
3629
3630 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3631
3632 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3633 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3634 @table @code
3635 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3636 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3637 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3638 breakpoint must be used.
3639
3640 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3641 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3642 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3643 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3644 @end table
3645
3646 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3647 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3648 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3649 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3650 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3651 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3652 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3653 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3654 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3655
3656 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3657 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3658 @table @code
3659 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3660 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3661 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3662 removed from the target when it stops.
3663
3664 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3665 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3666 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3667 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3668 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3669
3670 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3671 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3672 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3673 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3674 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3675 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3676 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3677 @end table
3678
3679 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3680 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3681 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3682 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3683 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3684 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3685 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3686 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3687
3688
3689 @node Set Watchpoints
3690 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3691
3692 @cindex setting watchpoints
3693 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3694 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3695 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3696 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3697 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3698
3699 @itemize @bullet
3700 @item
3701 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3702
3703 @item
3704 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3705 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3706 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3707
3708 @item
3709 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3710 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3711 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3712 @end itemize
3713
3714 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3715 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3716 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3717 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3718 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3719 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3720 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3721 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3722 the expression changes.
3723
3724 @cindex software watchpoints
3725 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3726 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3727 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3728 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3729 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3730 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3731 culprit.)
3732
3733 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3734 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3735 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3736
3737 @table @code
3738 @kindex watch
3739 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3740 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3741 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3742 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3743 to watch the value of a single variable:
3744
3745 @smallexample
3746 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3747 @end smallexample
3748
3749 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3750 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3751 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3752 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3753 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3754 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3755
3756 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3757 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3758 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3759 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3760 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3761 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3762 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3763 error.
3764
3765 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3766 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3767 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3768 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3769 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3770 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3771 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3772 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3773 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3774 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3775 Examples:
3776
3777 @smallexample
3778 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3779 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3780 @end smallexample
3781
3782 @kindex rwatch
3783 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3784 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3785 by the program.
3786
3787 @kindex awatch
3788 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3789 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3790 or written into by the program.
3791
3792 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3793 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3794 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3795 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3796 @end table
3797
3798 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3799 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3800 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3801 a never-changing value:
3802
3803 @smallexample
3804 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3805 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3806 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3807 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3808 @end smallexample
3809
3810 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3811 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3812 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3813 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3814 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3815 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3816
3817 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3818 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3819 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3820 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3821 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3822 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3823 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3824 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3825
3826 @table @code
3827 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3828 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3829 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3830
3831 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3832 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3833 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3834 @end table
3835
3836 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3837 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3838 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3839
3840 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3841
3842 @smallexample
3843 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3844 @end smallexample
3845
3846 @noindent
3847 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3848
3849 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3850 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3851 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3852 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3853 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3854 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3855 will print a message like this:
3856
3857 @smallexample
3858 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3859 @end smallexample
3860
3861 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3862 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3863 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3864 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3865 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3866 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3867 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3868 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3869
3870 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3871 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3872 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3873 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3874 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3875 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3876
3877 @smallexample
3878 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3879 @end smallexample
3880
3881 @noindent
3882 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3883
3884 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3885 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3886 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3887 expression with separately allocated resources.
3888
3889 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3890 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3891 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3892
3893 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3894 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3895 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3896 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3897 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3898 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3899 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3900 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3901 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3902
3903 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3904 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3905 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3906 watched expression from every thread.
3907
3908 @quotation
3909 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3910 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3911 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3912 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3913 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3914 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3915 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3916 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3917 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3918 @end quotation
3919
3920 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3921
3922 @node Set Catchpoints
3923 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3924 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3925 @cindex exception handlers
3926 @cindex event handling
3927
3928 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3929 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3930 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3931
3932 @table @code
3933 @kindex catch
3934 @item catch @var{event}
3935 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3936 @table @code
3937 @item throw
3938 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3939 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3940
3941 @item catch
3942 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3943
3944 @item exception
3945 @cindex Ada exception catching
3946 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3947 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3948 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3949 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3950 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3951
3952 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3953 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3954 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3955 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3956 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3957 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3958 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3959 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3960
3961 @item exception unhandled
3962 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3963
3964 @item assert
3965 A failed Ada assertion.
3966
3967 @item exec
3968 @cindex break on fork/exec
3969 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3970 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3971
3972 @item syscall
3973 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
3974 @cindex break on a system call.
3975 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3976 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3977 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3978 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3979 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3980 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3981 will be caught.
3982
3983 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3984 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3985 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3986 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3987
3988 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3989 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3990 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3991 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3992
3993 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3994 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3995 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3996 available choices.
3997
3998 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3999 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4000 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4001 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4002 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4003 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4004 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4005 behind the OS upgrades).
4006
4007 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4008 arguments to it:
4009
4010 @smallexample
4011 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4012 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4013 (@value{GDBP}) r
4014 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4015
4016 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4017 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4018 (@value{GDBP}) c
4019 Continuing.
4020
4021 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4022 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4023 (@value{GDBP})
4024 @end smallexample
4025
4026 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4027
4028 @smallexample
4029 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4030 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4031 (@value{GDBP}) r
4032 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4033
4034 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4035 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4036 (@value{GDBP}) c
4037 Continuing.
4038
4039 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4040 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4041 (@value{GDBP})
4042 @end smallexample
4043
4044 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4045 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4046 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4047
4048 @smallexample
4049 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4050 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4051 (@value{GDBP}) r
4052 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4053
4054 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4055 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4056 (@value{GDBP}) c
4057 Continuing.
4058
4059 Program exited normally.
4060 (@value{GDBP})
4061 @end smallexample
4062
4063 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4064 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4065 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4066 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4067
4068 @smallexample
4069 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4070 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4071 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4072 (@value{GDBP})
4073 @end smallexample
4074
4075 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4076 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4077 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4078 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4079 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4080 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4081
4082 @smallexample
4083 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4084 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4085 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4086 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4087 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4088 (@value{GDBP})
4089 @end smallexample
4090
4091 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4092
4093 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4094 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4095
4096 @smallexample
4097 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4098 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4099 @end smallexample
4100
4101 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4102
4103 @item fork
4104 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4105 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4106
4107 @item vfork
4108 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4109 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4110
4111 @end table
4112
4113 @item tcatch @var{event}
4114 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4115 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4116
4117 @end table
4118
4119 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4120
4121 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4122 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4123
4124 @itemize @bullet
4125 @item
4126 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4127 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4128 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4129 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4130 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4131 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4132 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4133 disabled within interactive calls.
4134
4135 @item
4136 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4137
4138 @item
4139 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4140 @end itemize
4141
4142 @cindex raise exceptions
4143 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4144 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4145 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4146 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4147 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4148 out where the exception was raised.
4149
4150 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4151 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4152 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4153 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4154
4155 @smallexample
4156 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4157 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4158 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4159 @end smallexample
4160
4161 @noindent
4162 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4163 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4164 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4165
4166 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4167 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4168 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4169 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4170 raised.
4171
4172
4173 @node Delete Breaks
4174 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4175
4176 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4177 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4178 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4179 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4180 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4181 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4182
4183 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4184 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4185 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4186 their breakpoint numbers.
4187
4188 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4189 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4190 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4191
4192 @table @code
4193 @kindex clear
4194 @item clear
4195 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4196 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4197 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4198 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4199
4200 @item clear @var{location}
4201 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4202 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4203 most useful ones are listed below:
4204
4205 @table @code
4206 @item clear @var{function}
4207 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4208 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4209
4210 @item clear @var{linenum}
4211 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4212 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4213 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4214 @end table
4215
4216 @cindex delete breakpoints
4217 @kindex delete
4218 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4219 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4220 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4221 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4222 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4223 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4224 @end table
4225
4226 @node Disabling
4227 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4228
4229 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4230 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4231 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4232 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4233 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4234
4235 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4236 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4237 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4238 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4239 do not know which numbers to use.
4240
4241 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4242 affects all of its locations.
4243
4244 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4245 states of enablement:
4246
4247 @itemize @bullet
4248 @item
4249 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4250 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4251 @item
4252 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4253 @item
4254 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4255 disabled.
4256 @item
4257 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4258 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4259 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4260 @end itemize
4261
4262 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4263 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4264
4265 @table @code
4266 @kindex disable
4267 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4268 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4269 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4270 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4271 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4272 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4273 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4274
4275 @kindex enable
4276 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4277 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4278 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4279
4280 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4281 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4282 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4283
4284 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4285 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4286 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4287 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4288 @end table
4289
4290 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4291 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4292 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4293 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4294 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4295 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4296 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4297 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4298 Stepping}.)
4299
4300 @node Conditions
4301 @subsection Break Conditions
4302 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4303 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4304
4305 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4306 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4307 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4308 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4309 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4310 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4311 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4312 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4313
4314 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4315 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4316 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4317 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4318 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4319
4320 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4321 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4322 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4323 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4324 one.
4325
4326 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4327 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4328 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4329 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4330 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4331 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4332 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4333 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4334 conditions for the
4335 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4336 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4337
4338 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4339 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4340 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4341 with the @code{condition} command.
4342
4343 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4344 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4345 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4346 catchpoint.
4347
4348 @table @code
4349 @kindex condition
4350 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4351 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4352 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4353 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4354 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4355 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4356 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4357 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4358 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4359 prints an error message:
4360
4361 @smallexample
4362 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4363 @end smallexample
4364
4365 @noindent
4366 @value{GDBN} does
4367 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4368 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4369 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4370
4371 @item condition @var{bnum}
4372 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4373 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4374 @end table
4375
4376 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4377 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4378 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4379 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4380 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4381 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4382 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4383 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4384 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4385 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4386 your program reaches it.
4387
4388 @table @code
4389 @kindex ignore
4390 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4391 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4392 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4393 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4394 takes no action.
4395
4396 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4397 a count of zero.
4398
4399 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4400 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4401 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4402 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4403
4404 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4405 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4406 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4407
4408 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4409 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4410 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4411 Variables}.
4412 @end table
4413
4414 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4415
4416
4417 @node Break Commands
4418 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4419
4420 @cindex breakpoint commands
4421 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4422 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4423 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4424 enable other breakpoints.
4425
4426 @table @code
4427 @kindex commands
4428 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4429 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4430 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4431 @itemx end
4432 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4433 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4434 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4435
4436 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4437 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4438
4439 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4440 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4441 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4442 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4443 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4444 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4445 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4446 Expressions}).
4447 @end table
4448
4449 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4450 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4451
4452 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4453 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4454 that resumes execution.
4455
4456 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4457 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4458 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4459 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4460 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4461
4462 @kindex silent
4463 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4464 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4465 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4466 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4467 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4468 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4469
4470 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4471 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4472 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4473
4474 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4475 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4476
4477 @smallexample
4478 break foo if x>0
4479 commands
4480 silent
4481 printf "x is %d\n",x
4482 cont
4483 end
4484 @end smallexample
4485
4486 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4487 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4488 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4489 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4490 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4491 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4492 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4493
4494 @smallexample
4495 break 403
4496 commands
4497 silent
4498 set x = y + 4
4499 cont
4500 end
4501 @end smallexample
4502
4503 @node Save Breakpoints
4504 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4505
4506 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4507 breakpoints}} command.
4508
4509 @table @code
4510 @kindex save breakpoints
4511 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4512 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4513 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4514 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4515 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4516 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4517 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4518 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4519 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4520 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4521 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4522 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4523 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4524 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4525 that can no longer be recreated.
4526 @end table
4527
4528 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4529 @node Error in Breakpoints
4530 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4531
4532 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4533 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4534
4535 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4536 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4537 @smallexample
4538 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4539 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4540 @end smallexample
4541
4542 @noindent
4543 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4544 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4545 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4546
4547 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4548 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4549
4550 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4551 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4552 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4553
4554 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4555 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4556 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4557 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4558
4559 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4560 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4561 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4562 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4563 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4564 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4565 first in the bundle.
4566
4567 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4568 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4569 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4570 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4571 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4572 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4573 is hit.
4574
4575 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4576 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4577
4578 @smallexample
4579 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4580 @end smallexample
4581
4582 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4583 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4584 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4585 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4586 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4587 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4588 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4589 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4590
4591 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4592 adjusted breakpoints:
4593
4594 @smallexample
4595 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4596 to 0x00010410.
4597 @end smallexample
4598
4599 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4600 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4601 frequently than expected.
4602
4603 @node Continuing and Stepping
4604 @section Continuing and Stepping
4605
4606 @cindex stepping
4607 @cindex continuing
4608 @cindex resuming execution
4609 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4610 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4611 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4612 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4613 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4614 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4615 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4616 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4617
4618 @table @code
4619 @kindex continue
4620 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4621 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4622 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4623 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4624 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4625 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4626 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4627 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4628 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4629 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4630
4631 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4632 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4633 @code{continue} is ignored.
4634
4635 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4636 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4637 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4638 @code{continue}.
4639 @end table
4640
4641 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4642 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4643 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4644 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4645
4646 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4647 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4648 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4649 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4650 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4651 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4652
4653 @table @code
4654 @kindex step
4655 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4656 @item step
4657 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4658 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4659 abbreviated @code{s}.
4660
4661 @quotation
4662 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4663 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4664 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4665 @c distinction here.
4666 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4667 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4668 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4669 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4670 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4671 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4672 below.
4673 @end quotation
4674
4675 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4676 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4677 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4678 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4679 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4680 called within the line.
4681
4682 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4683 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4684 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4685 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4686 was any debugging information about the routine.
4687
4688 @item step @var{count}
4689 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4690 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4691 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4692
4693 @kindex next
4694 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4695 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4696 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4697 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4698 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4699 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4700 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4701 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4702
4703 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4704
4705
4706 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4707 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4708 @c
4709 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4710 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4711 @c function are executed without stopping.
4712
4713 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4714 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4715 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4716
4717 @kindex set step-mode
4718 @item set step-mode
4719 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4720 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4721 @itemx set step-mode on
4722 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4723 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4724 information rather than stepping over it.
4725
4726 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4727 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4728 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4729
4730 @item set step-mode off
4731 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4732 debug information. This is the default.
4733
4734 @item show step-mode
4735 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4736 source line debug information.
4737
4738 @kindex finish
4739 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4740 @item finish
4741 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4742 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4743 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4744
4745 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4746 ,Returning from a Function}).
4747
4748 @kindex until
4749 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4750 @cindex run until specified location
4751 @item until
4752 @itemx u
4753 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4754 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4755 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4756 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4757 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4758 than the address of the jump.
4759
4760 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4761 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4762 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4763 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4764 through the next iteration.
4765
4766 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4767 stack frame.
4768
4769 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4770 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4771 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4772 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4773 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4774
4775 @smallexample
4776 (@value{GDBP}) f
4777 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4778 206 expand_input();
4779 (@value{GDBP}) until
4780 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4781 @end smallexample
4782
4783 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4784 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4785 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4786 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4787 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4788 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4789 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4790
4791 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4792 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4793 argument.
4794
4795 @item until @var{location}
4796 @itemx u @var{location}
4797 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4798 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4799 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4800 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4801 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4802 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4803 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4804 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4805 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4806 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4807 invocations have returned.
4808
4809 @smallexample
4810 94 int factorial (int value)
4811 95 @{
4812 96 if (value > 1) @{
4813 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4814 98 @}
4815 99 return (value);
4816 100 @}
4817 @end smallexample
4818
4819
4820 @kindex advance @var{location}
4821 @itemx advance @var{location}
4822 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4823 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4824 @ref{Specify Location}.
4825 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4826 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4827 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4828 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4829
4830
4831 @kindex stepi
4832 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4833 @item stepi
4834 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4835 @itemx si
4836 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4837
4838 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4839 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4840 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4841 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4842
4843 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4844
4845 @need 750
4846 @kindex nexti
4847 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4848 @item nexti
4849 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4850 @itemx ni
4851 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4852 proceed until the function returns.
4853
4854 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4855 @end table
4856
4857 @node Signals
4858 @section Signals
4859 @cindex signals
4860
4861 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4862 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4863 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4864 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4865 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4866 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4867 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4868 requested an alarm).
4869
4870 @cindex fatal signals
4871 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4872 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4873 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4874 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4875 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4876 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4877
4878 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4879 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4880 signal.
4881
4882 @cindex handling signals
4883 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4884 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4885 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4886 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4887 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4888
4889 @table @code
4890 @kindex info signals
4891 @kindex info handle
4892 @item info signals
4893 @itemx info handle
4894 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4895 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4896 the defined types of signals.
4897
4898 @item info signals @var{sig}
4899 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4900
4901 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4902
4903 @kindex handle
4904 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4905 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4906 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4907 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4908 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4909 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4910 say what change to make.
4911 @end table
4912
4913 @c @group
4914 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4915 Their full names are:
4916
4917 @table @code
4918 @item nostop
4919 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4920 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4921
4922 @item stop
4923 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4924 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4925
4926 @item print
4927 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4928
4929 @item noprint
4930 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4931 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4932
4933 @item pass
4934 @itemx noignore
4935 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4936 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4937 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4938
4939 @item nopass
4940 @itemx ignore
4941 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4942 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4943 @end table
4944 @c @end group
4945
4946 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4947 program until you
4948 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4949 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4950 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4951 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4952 program sees that signal when you continue.
4953
4954 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4955 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4956 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4957 erroneous signals.
4958
4959 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4960 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4961 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4962 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4963 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4964 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4965 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4966 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4967 Program a Signal}.
4968
4969 @cindex extra signal information
4970 @anchor{extra signal information}
4971
4972 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4973 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4974 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4975 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4976 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4977 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4978 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4979 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4980 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4981 system header.
4982
4983 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4984 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4985
4986 @smallexample
4987 @group
4988 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4989 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4990 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4991 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4992 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4993 type = struct @{
4994 int si_signo;
4995 int si_errno;
4996 int si_code;
4997 union @{
4998 int _pad[28];
4999 struct @{...@} _kill;
5000 struct @{...@} _timer;
5001 struct @{...@} _rt;
5002 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5003 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5004 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5005 @} _sifields;
5006 @}
5007 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5008 type = struct @{
5009 void *si_addr;
5010 @}
5011 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5012 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5013 @end group
5014 @end smallexample
5015
5016 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5017
5018 @node Thread Stops
5019 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5020
5021 @cindex stopped threads
5022 @cindex threads, stopped
5023
5024 @cindex continuing threads
5025 @cindex threads, continuing
5026
5027 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5028 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5029 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5030 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5031 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5032 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5033 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5034 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5035 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5036
5037 @menu
5038 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5039 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5040 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5041 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5042 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5043 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5044 @end menu
5045
5046 @node All-Stop Mode
5047 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5048
5049 @cindex all-stop mode
5050
5051 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5052 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5053 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5054 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5055 underfoot.
5056
5057 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5058 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5059 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5060
5061 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5062 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5063 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5064 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5065 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5066 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5067 stops.
5068
5069 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5070 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5071 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5072 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5073
5074 @cindex automatic thread selection
5075 @cindex switching threads automatically
5076 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5077 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5078 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5079 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5080 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5081 thread.
5082
5083 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5084 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5085
5086 @table @code
5087 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5088 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5089 @cindex lock scheduler
5090 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5091 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5092 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5093 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5094 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5095 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5096 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5097 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5098 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5099 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5100 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5101 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5102
5103 @item show scheduler-locking
5104 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5105 @end table
5106
5107 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5108 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5109 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5110 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5111 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5112 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5113 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5114 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5115 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5116 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5117 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5118 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5119 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5120 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5121
5122 @table @code
5123 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5124 @item set schedule-multiple
5125 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5126 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5127 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5128 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5129 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5130 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5131
5132 @item show schedule-multiple
5133 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5134 multiple processes.
5135 @end table
5136
5137 @node Non-Stop Mode
5138 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5139
5140 @cindex non-stop mode
5141
5142 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5143 @c with more details.
5144
5145 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5146 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5147 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5148 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5149 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5150 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5151
5152 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5153 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5154 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5155 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5156 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5157 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5158 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5159 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5160 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5161 independently and simultaneously.
5162
5163 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5164 or attach to your program:
5165
5166 @smallexample
5167 # Enable the async interface.
5168 set target-async 1
5169
5170 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5171 set pagination off
5172
5173 # Finally, turn it on!
5174 set non-stop on
5175 @end smallexample
5176
5177 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5178
5179 @table @code
5180 @kindex set non-stop
5181 @item set non-stop on
5182 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5183 @item set non-stop off
5184 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5185 @kindex show non-stop
5186 @item show non-stop
5187 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5188 @end table
5189
5190 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5191 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5192 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5193 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5194 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5195 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5196 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5197 default.
5198
5199 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5200 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5201 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5202
5203 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5204 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5205 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5206 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5207 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5208
5209 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5210 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5211 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5212 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5213 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5214
5215 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5216
5217 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5218 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5219 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5220 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5221 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5222 previously current thread.
5223
5224 @node Background Execution
5225 @subsection Background Execution
5226
5227 @cindex foreground execution
5228 @cindex background execution
5229 @cindex asynchronous execution
5230 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5231
5232 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5233 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5234 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5235 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5236 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5237 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5238
5239 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5240 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5241 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5242
5243 @table @code
5244 @kindex set target-async
5245 @item set target-async on
5246 Enable asynchronous mode.
5247 @item set target-async off
5248 Disable asynchronous mode.
5249 @kindex show target-async
5250 @item show target-async
5251 Show the current target-async setting.
5252 @end table
5253
5254 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5255 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5256
5257 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5258 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5259 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5260 are:
5261
5262 @table @code
5263 @kindex run&
5264 @item run
5265 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5266
5267 @item attach
5268 @kindex attach&
5269 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5270
5271 @item step
5272 @kindex step&
5273 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5274
5275 @item stepi
5276 @kindex stepi&
5277 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5278
5279 @item next
5280 @kindex next&
5281 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5282
5283 @item nexti
5284 @kindex nexti&
5285 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5286
5287 @item continue
5288 @kindex continue&
5289 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5290
5291 @item finish
5292 @kindex finish&
5293 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5294
5295 @item until
5296 @kindex until&
5297 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5298
5299 @end table
5300
5301 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5302 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5303 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5304 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5305 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5306 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5307
5308 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5309 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5310
5311 @table @code
5312 @kindex interrupt
5313 @item interrupt
5314 @itemx interrupt -a
5315
5316 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5317 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5318 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5319 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5320 @end table
5321
5322 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5323 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5324
5325 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5326 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5327 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5328
5329 @table @code
5330 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5331 @cindex thread breakpoints
5332 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5333 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5334 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5335 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5336 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5337 specify some source line.
5338
5339 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5340 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5341 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5342 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5343 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5344
5345 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5346 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5347 program.
5348
5349 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5350 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5351 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5352
5353 @smallexample
5354 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5355 @end smallexample
5356
5357 @end table
5358
5359 @node Interrupted System Calls
5360 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5361
5362 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5363 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5364 @cindex premature return from system calls
5365 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5366 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5367 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5368 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5369 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5370 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5371 stop execution.
5372
5373 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5374 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5375 style anyways.
5376
5377 For example, do not write code like this:
5378
5379 @smallexample
5380 sleep (10);
5381 @end smallexample
5382
5383 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5384 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5385
5386 Instead, write this:
5387
5388 @smallexample
5389 int unslept = 10;
5390 while (unslept > 0)
5391 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5392 @end smallexample
5393
5394 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5395 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5396 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5397 @value{GDBN}.
5398
5399 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5400 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5401 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5402 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5403
5404 @node Observer Mode
5405 @subsection Observer Mode
5406
5407 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5408 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5409 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5410 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5411 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5412
5413 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5414 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5415 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5416 mode.
5417
5418 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5419 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5420 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5421 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5422 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5423
5424 @table @code
5425
5426 @kindex observer
5427 @item set observer on
5428 @itemx set observer off
5429 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5430 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5431 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5432 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5433
5434 @item show observer
5435 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5436
5437 @kindex may-write-registers
5438 @item set may-write-registers on
5439 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5440 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5441 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5442 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5443
5444 @item show may-write-registers
5445 Show the current permission to write registers.
5446
5447 @kindex may-write-memory
5448 @item set may-write-memory on
5449 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5450 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5451 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5452 defaults to @code{on}.
5453
5454 @item show may-write-memory
5455 Show the current permission to write memory.
5456
5457 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5458 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5459 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5460 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5461 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5462 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5463
5464 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5465 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5466
5467 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5468 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5469 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5470 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5471 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5472 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5473 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5474
5475 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5476 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5477
5478 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5479 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5480 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5481 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5482 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5483 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5484 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5485
5486 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5487 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5488
5489 @kindex may-interrupt
5490 @item set may-interrupt on
5491 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5492 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5493 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5494 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5495 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5496
5497 @item show may-interrupt
5498 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5499
5500 @end table
5501
5502 @node Reverse Execution
5503 @chapter Running programs backward
5504 @cindex reverse execution
5505 @cindex running programs backward
5506
5507 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5508 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5509 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5510 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5511
5512 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5513 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5514 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5515 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5516 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5517 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5518
5519 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5520 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5521 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5522 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5523 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5524 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5525 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5526 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5527 prior values@footnote{
5528 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5529 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5530 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5531
5532 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5533 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5534 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5535 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5536 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5537 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5538 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5539 }.
5540
5541 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5542 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5543
5544 @table @code
5545 @kindex reverse-continue
5546 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5547 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5548 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5549 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5550 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5551 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5552 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5553
5554 @kindex reverse-step
5555 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5556 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5557 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5558 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5559
5560 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5561 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5562 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5563 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5564 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5565 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5566
5567 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5568 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5569
5570 @kindex reverse-stepi
5571 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5572 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5573 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5574 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5575 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5576 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5577 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5578
5579 @kindex reverse-next
5580 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5581 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5582 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5583 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5584 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5585 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5586 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5587 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5588 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5589 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5590
5591 @kindex reverse-nexti
5592 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5593 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5594 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5595 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5596 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5597 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5598 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5599 frame) is reached.
5600
5601 @kindex reverse-finish
5602 @item reverse-finish
5603 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5604 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5605 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5606 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5607
5608 @kindex set exec-direction
5609 @item set exec-direction
5610 Set the direction of target execution.
5611 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5612 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5613 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5614 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5615 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5616 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5617 @item set exec-direction forward
5618 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5619 This is the default.
5620 @end table
5621
5622
5623 @node Process Record and Replay
5624 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5625 @cindex process record and replay
5626 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5627
5628 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5629 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5630 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5631
5632 @cindex replay mode
5633 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5634 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5635 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5636 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5637 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5638 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5639 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5640 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5641 execution log.
5642
5643 @cindex record mode
5644 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5645 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5646 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5647 for future replay.
5648
5649 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5650 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5651 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5652 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5653 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5654 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5655
5656 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5657 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5658 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5659 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5660
5661 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5662 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5663
5664 @table @code
5665 @kindex target record
5666 @kindex record
5667 @kindex rec
5668 @item target record
5669 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5670 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5671 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5672 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5673 the @kbd{target record} command.
5674
5675 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5676
5677 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5678 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5679 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5680 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5681 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5682
5683 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5684 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5685 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5686 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5687 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5688 support these two modes.
5689
5690 @kindex record stop
5691 @kindex rec s
5692 @item record stop
5693 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5694 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5695 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5696
5697 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5698 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5699 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5700 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5701 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5702
5703 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5704 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5705 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5706 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5707 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5708
5709 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5710 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5711
5712 @kindex record save
5713 @item record save @var{filename}
5714 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5715 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
5716 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
5717
5718 @kindex record restore
5719 @item record restore @var{filename}
5720 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5721 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
5722
5723 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5724 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5725 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5726
5727 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5728 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5729 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5730 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5731 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5732 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5733 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5734 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5735
5736 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5737 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5738 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5739
5740 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5741 @item show record insn-number-max
5742 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5743
5744 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5745 @item set record stop-at-limit
5746 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5747 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5748 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5749 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5750 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5751 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5752
5753 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5754 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5755
5756 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5757 @item show record stop-at-limit
5758 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5759
5760 @kindex set record memory-query
5761 @item set record memory-query
5762 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
5763 changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
5764 whether to stop the inferior in that case.
5765
5766 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
5767 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
5768 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
5769 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
5770 results.
5771
5772 @kindex show record memory-query
5773 @item show record memory-query
5774 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
5775
5776 @kindex info record
5777 @item info record
5778 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5779 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5780
5781 @itemize @bullet
5782 @item
5783 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5784 @item
5785 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5786 @item
5787 Highest recorded instruction number.
5788 @item
5789 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5790 @item
5791 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5792 @item
5793 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5794 @end itemize
5795
5796 @kindex record delete
5797 @kindex rec del
5798 @item record delete
5799 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5800 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5801 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5802 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5803 @end table
5804
5805
5806 @node Stack
5807 @chapter Examining the Stack
5808
5809 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5810 stopped and how it got there.
5811
5812 @cindex call stack
5813 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5814 is generated.
5815 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5816 the arguments of the call,
5817 and the local variables of the function being called.
5818 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5819 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5820 stack}.
5821
5822 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5823 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5824
5825 @cindex selected frame
5826 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5827 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5828 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5829 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5830 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5831 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5832
5833 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5834 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5835 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5836
5837 @menu
5838 * Frames:: Stack frames
5839 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5840 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5841 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5842
5843 @end menu
5844
5845 @node Frames
5846 @section Stack Frames
5847
5848 @cindex frame, definition
5849 @cindex stack frame
5850 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5851 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5852 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5853 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5854 which the function is executing.
5855
5856 @cindex initial frame
5857 @cindex outermost frame
5858 @cindex innermost frame
5859 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5860 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5861 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5862 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5863 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5864 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5865 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5866 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5867
5868 @cindex frame pointer
5869 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5870 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5871 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5872 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5873 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5874 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5875
5876 @cindex frame number
5877 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5878 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5879 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5880 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5881 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5882
5883 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5884 @c underflow problems.
5885 @cindex frameless execution
5886 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5887 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5888 @smallexample
5889 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5890 @end smallexample
5891 generates functions without a frame.)
5892 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5893 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5894 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5895 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5896 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5897 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5898 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5899
5900 @table @code
5901 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5902 @cindex current stack frame
5903 @item frame @var{args}
5904 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5905 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5906 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5907 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5908
5909 @kindex select-frame
5910 @cindex selecting frame silently
5911 @item select-frame
5912 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5913 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5914 @code{frame}.
5915 @end table
5916
5917 @node Backtrace
5918 @section Backtraces
5919
5920 @cindex traceback
5921 @cindex call stack traces
5922 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5923 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5924 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5925 stack.
5926
5927 @table @code
5928 @kindex backtrace
5929 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5930 @item backtrace
5931 @itemx bt
5932 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5933 frames in the stack.
5934
5935 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5936 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5937
5938 @item backtrace @var{n}
5939 @itemx bt @var{n}
5940 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5941
5942 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5943 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5944 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5945
5946 @item backtrace full
5947 @itemx bt full
5948 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5949 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5950 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5951 number of frames to print, as described above.
5952 @end table
5953
5954 @kindex where
5955 @kindex info stack
5956 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5957 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5958
5959 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5960 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5961 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5962 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5963 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5964 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5965 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5966 multi-threaded program.
5967
5968 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5969 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5970 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5971 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5972 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5973 line number.
5974
5975 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5976 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5977
5978 @smallexample
5979 @group
5980 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5981 at builtin.c:993
5982 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5983 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5984 at macro.c:71
5985 (More stack frames follow...)
5986 @end group
5987 @end smallexample
5988
5989 @noindent
5990 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5991 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5992 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5993
5994 @noindent
5995 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5996 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5997 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5998 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5999 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6000
6001 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6002 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6003 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6004 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6005 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6006 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6007 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6008 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6009 such a backtrace might look like:
6010
6011 @smallexample
6012 @group
6013 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6014 at builtin.c:993
6015 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6016 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6017 at macro.c:71
6018 (More stack frames follow...)
6019 @end group
6020 @end smallexample
6021
6022 @noindent
6023 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6024 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6025
6026 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6027 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6028 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6029
6030 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6031 @cindex program entry point
6032 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6033 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6034 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6035 @code{main}@footnote{
6036 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6037 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6038 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6039 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6040 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6041 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6042
6043 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6044 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6045
6046 @table @code
6047 @item set backtrace past-main
6048 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6049 @kindex set backtrace
6050 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6051
6052 @item set backtrace past-main off
6053 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6054 default.
6055
6056 @item show backtrace past-main
6057 @kindex show backtrace
6058 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6059
6060 @item set backtrace past-entry
6061 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6062 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6063 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6064 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6065
6066 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6067 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6068 application. This is the default.
6069
6070 @item show backtrace past-entry
6071 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6072
6073 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6074 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6075 @cindex backtrace limit
6076 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6077 unlimited.
6078
6079 @item show backtrace limit
6080 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6081 @end table
6082
6083 @node Selection
6084 @section Selecting a Frame
6085
6086 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6087 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6088 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6089 of the stack frame just selected.
6090
6091 @table @code
6092 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6093 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6094 @item frame @var{n}
6095 @itemx f @var{n}
6096 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6097 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6098 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6099 @code{main}.
6100
6101 @item frame @var{addr}
6102 @itemx f @var{addr}
6103 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6104 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6105 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6106 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6107 switches between them.
6108
6109 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6110 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6111
6112 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6113 pointer and a program counter.
6114
6115 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6116 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6117
6118 @kindex up
6119 @item up @var{n}
6120 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6121 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6122 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6123
6124 @kindex down
6125 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6126 @item down @var{n}
6127 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6128 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6129 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6130 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6131 @end table
6132
6133 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6134 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6135 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6136 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6137
6138 @need 1000
6139 For example:
6140
6141 @smallexample
6142 @group
6143 (@value{GDBP}) up
6144 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6145 at env.c:10
6146 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6147 @end group
6148 @end smallexample
6149
6150 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6151 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6152 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6153 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6154 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6155 for details.
6156
6157 @table @code
6158 @kindex down-silently
6159 @kindex up-silently
6160 @item up-silently @var{n}
6161 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6162 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6163 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6164 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6165 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6166 distracting.
6167 @end table
6168
6169 @node Frame Info
6170 @section Information About a Frame
6171
6172 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6173 stack frame.
6174
6175 @table @code
6176 @item frame
6177 @itemx f
6178 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6179 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6180 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6181 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6182 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6183
6184 @kindex info frame
6185 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6186 @item info frame
6187 @itemx info f
6188 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6189 including:
6190
6191 @itemize @bullet
6192 @item
6193 the address of the frame
6194 @item
6195 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6196 @item
6197 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6198 @item
6199 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6200 @item
6201 the address of the frame's arguments
6202 @item
6203 the address of the frame's local variables
6204 @item
6205 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6206 @item
6207 which registers were saved in the frame
6208 @end itemize
6209
6210 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6211 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6212 the usual conventions.
6213
6214 @item info frame @var{addr}
6215 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6216 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6217 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6218 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6219 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6220 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6221
6222 @kindex info args
6223 @item info args
6224 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6225
6226 @item info locals
6227 @kindex info locals
6228 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6229 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6230 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6231
6232 @kindex info catch
6233 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
6234 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
6235 @item info catch
6236 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
6237 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
6238 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
6239 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
6240 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
6241
6242 @end table
6243
6244
6245 @node Source
6246 @chapter Examining Source Files
6247
6248 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6249 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6250 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6251 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6252 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6253 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6254 source files by explicit command.
6255
6256 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6257 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6258 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6259
6260 @menu
6261 * List:: Printing source lines
6262 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6263 * Edit:: Editing source files
6264 * Search:: Searching source files
6265 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6266 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6267 @end menu
6268
6269 @node List
6270 @section Printing Source Lines
6271
6272 @kindex list
6273 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6274 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6275 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6276 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6277 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6278
6279 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6280
6281 @table @code
6282 @item list @var{linenum}
6283 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6284 current source file.
6285
6286 @item list @var{function}
6287 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6288 @var{function}.
6289
6290 @item list
6291 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6292 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6293 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6294 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6295 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6296
6297 @item list -
6298 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6299 @end table
6300
6301 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6302 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6303 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6304
6305 @table @code
6306 @kindex set listsize
6307 @item set listsize @var{count}
6308 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6309 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6310
6311 @kindex show listsize
6312 @item show listsize
6313 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6314 @end table
6315
6316 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6317 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6318 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6319 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6320 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6321
6322 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6323 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6324 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6325 to specify some source line.
6326
6327 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6328
6329 @table @code
6330 @item list @var{linespec}
6331 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6332
6333 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6334 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6335 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6336 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6337 the same source file as the first linespec.
6338
6339 @item list ,@var{last}
6340 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6341
6342 @item list @var{first},
6343 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6344
6345 @item list +
6346 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6347
6348 @item list -
6349 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6350
6351 @item list
6352 As described in the preceding table.
6353 @end table
6354
6355 @node Specify Location
6356 @section Specifying a Location
6357 @cindex specifying location
6358 @cindex linespec
6359
6360 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6361 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6362 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6363 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6364
6365 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6366 @value{GDBN} understands:
6367
6368 @table @code
6369 @item @var{linenum}
6370 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6371
6372 @item -@var{offset}
6373 @itemx +@var{offset}
6374 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6375 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6376 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6377 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6378 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6379 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6380 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6381 linespec.
6382
6383 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6384 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6385
6386 @item @var{function}
6387 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6388 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6389
6390 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
6391 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
6392
6393 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6394 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6395 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6396 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6397 functions in different source files.
6398
6399 @item @var{label}
6400 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6401 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6402 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6403 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6404 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6405
6406 @item *@var{address}
6407 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6408 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6409 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6410 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6411 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6412 source files.
6413
6414 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6415 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6416 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6417 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6418 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6419 of @var{address}:
6420
6421 @table @code
6422 @item @var{expression}
6423 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6424
6425 @item @var{funcaddr}
6426 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6427 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6428 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6429 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6430 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6431 (although the Pascal form also works).
6432
6433 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6434 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6435
6436 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6437 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6438 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6439 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6440 functions with identical names in different source files.
6441 @end table
6442
6443 @end table
6444
6445
6446 @node Edit
6447 @section Editing Source Files
6448 @cindex editing source files
6449
6450 @kindex edit
6451 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6452 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6453 The editing program of your choice
6454 is invoked with the current line set to
6455 the active line in the program.
6456 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6457 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6458
6459 @table @code
6460 @item edit @var{location}
6461 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6462 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6463 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6464 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6465 command most commonly used:
6466
6467 @table @code
6468 @item edit @var{number}
6469 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6470
6471 @item edit @var{function}
6472 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6473 @end table
6474
6475 @end table
6476
6477 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6478 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6479 @footnote{
6480 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6481 following command-line syntax:
6482 @smallexample
6483 ex +@var{number} file
6484 @end smallexample
6485 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6486 the file where to start editing.}.
6487 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6488 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6489 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6490 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6491 @smallexample
6492 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6493 export EDITOR
6494 gdb @dots{}
6495 @end smallexample
6496 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6497 @smallexample
6498 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6499 gdb @dots{}
6500 @end smallexample
6501
6502 @node Search
6503 @section Searching Source Files
6504 @cindex searching source files
6505
6506 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6507 regular expression.
6508
6509 @table @code
6510 @kindex search
6511 @kindex forward-search
6512 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6513 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6514 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6515 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6516 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6517 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6518 @code{fo}.
6519
6520 @kindex reverse-search
6521 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6522 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6523 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6524 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6525 this command as @code{rev}.
6526 @end table
6527
6528 @node Source Path
6529 @section Specifying Source Directories
6530
6531 @cindex source path
6532 @cindex directories for source files
6533 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6534 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6535 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6536 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6537 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6538 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6539 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6540
6541 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6542 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6543 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6544 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6545 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6546 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6547 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6548 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6549 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6550 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6551 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6552
6553 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6554 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6555 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6556 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6557 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6558 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6559
6560 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6561 source files.
6562
6563 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6564 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6565 each line is in the file.
6566
6567 @kindex directory
6568 @kindex dir
6569 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6570 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6571 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6572
6573 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6574 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6575
6576 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6577 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6578 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6579 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6580 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6581 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6582 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6583 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6584 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6585 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6586 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6587 name to look up the sources.
6588
6589 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6590 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6591 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6592 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6593 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6594 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6595 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6596 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6597
6598 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6599 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6600 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6601 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6602 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6603 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6604 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6605
6606 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6607 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6608 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6609 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6610 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6611 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6612 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6613 command.
6614
6615 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6616 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6617 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6618 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6619 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6620 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6621 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6622
6623 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6624 @cindex default source path substitution
6625 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6626 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6627 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6628 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6629 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6630 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6631 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6632 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6633 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6634 together.
6635
6636 @table @code
6637 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6638 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6639 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6640 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6641 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6642 part of absolute file names) or
6643 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6644 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6645
6646 @kindex cdir
6647 @kindex cwd
6648 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6649 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6650 @cindex compilation directory
6651 @cindex current directory
6652 @cindex working directory
6653 @cindex directory, current
6654 @cindex directory, compilation
6655 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6656 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6657 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6658 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6659 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6660 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6661
6662 @item directory
6663 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6664
6665 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6666 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6667
6668 @item set directories @var{path-list}
6669 @kindex set directories
6670 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
6671 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
6672
6673 @item show directories
6674 @kindex show directories
6675 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6676
6677 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6678 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6679 @kindex set substitute-path
6680 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6681 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6682 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6683
6684 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6685 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6686
6687 @smallexample
6688 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6689 @end smallexample
6690
6691 @noindent
6692 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6693 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6694 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6695
6696 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6697 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6698 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6699 the substitution.
6700
6701 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6702
6703 @smallexample
6704 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6705 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6706 @end smallexample
6707
6708 @noindent
6709 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6710 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6711 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6712 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6713
6714
6715 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6716 @kindex unset substitute-path
6717 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6718 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6719 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6720
6721 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6722
6723 @item show substitute-path [path]
6724 @kindex show substitute-path
6725 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6726 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6727
6728 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6729 rules.
6730
6731 @end table
6732
6733 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6734 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6735 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6736
6737 @enumerate
6738 @item
6739 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6740
6741 @item
6742 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6743 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6744 directories in one command.
6745 @end enumerate
6746
6747 @node Machine Code
6748 @section Source and Machine Code
6749 @cindex source line and its code address
6750
6751 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6752 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6753 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6754 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6755 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6756 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6757 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6758 well as hex.
6759
6760 @table @code
6761 @kindex info line
6762 @item info line @var{linespec}
6763 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6764 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6765 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6766 @end table
6767
6768 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6769 the object code for the first line of function
6770 @code{m4_changequote}:
6771
6772 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6773 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6774 @smallexample
6775 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6776 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6777 @end smallexample
6778
6779 @noindent
6780 @cindex code address and its source line
6781 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6782 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6783 @smallexample
6784 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6785 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6786 @end smallexample
6787
6788 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6789 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6790 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6791 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6792 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6793 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6794 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6795 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6796 Variables}).
6797
6798 @table @code
6799 @kindex disassemble
6800 @cindex assembly instructions
6801 @cindex instructions, assembly
6802 @cindex machine instructions
6803 @cindex listing machine instructions
6804 @item disassemble
6805 @itemx disassemble /m
6806 @itemx disassemble /r
6807 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6808 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6809 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6810 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6811 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6812 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6813 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6814 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6815 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6816 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
6817
6818 @table @code
6819 @item @var{start},@var{end}
6820 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
6821 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
6822 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
6823 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
6824 @end table
6825
6826 @noindent
6827 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
6828 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
6829
6830 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6831 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6832
6833 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6834 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6835 @end table
6836
6837 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6838 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6839
6840 @smallexample
6841 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6842 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6843 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6844 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6845 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6846 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6847 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6848 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6849 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6850 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6851 End of assembler dump.
6852 @end smallexample
6853
6854 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6855 program is stopped just after function prologue:
6856
6857 @smallexample
6858 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6859 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6860 5 @{
6861 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6862 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6863 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6864 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6865 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6866
6867 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6868 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6869 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6870
6871 7 return 0;
6872 8 @}
6873 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6874 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6875 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6876
6877 End of assembler dump.
6878 @end smallexample
6879
6880 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
6881
6882 @smallexample
6883 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
6884 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
6885 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
6886 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
6887 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
6888 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
6889 End of assembler dump.
6890 @end smallexample
6891
6892 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6893 mnemonics or other syntax.
6894
6895 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6896 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6897 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6898 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6899 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6900
6901 @table @code
6902 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6903 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6904 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6905 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6906 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6907 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6908
6909 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6910 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6911 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6912 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6913
6914 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6915 @item show disassembly-flavor
6916 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6917 @end table
6918
6919 @table @code
6920 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6921 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6922 @item set disassemble-next-line
6923 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6924 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6925 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6926 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6927 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6928 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6929 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6930 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6931 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6932 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6933 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6934 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6935 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6936 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6937 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6938 instruction.
6939 @end table
6940
6941
6942 @node Data
6943 @chapter Examining Data
6944
6945 @cindex printing data
6946 @cindex examining data
6947 @kindex print
6948 @kindex inspect
6949 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6950 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6951 @c different window or something like that.
6952 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6953 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6954 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6955 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6956 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
6957 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
6958
6959 @table @code
6960 @item print @var{expr}
6961 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6962 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6963 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6964 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6965 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6966 Formats}.
6967
6968 @item print
6969 @itemx print /@var{f}
6970 @cindex reprint the last value
6971 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6972 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6973 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6974 @end table
6975
6976 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6977 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6978 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6979
6980 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6981 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6982 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6983 Table}.
6984
6985 @menu
6986 * Expressions:: Expressions
6987 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6988 * Variables:: Program variables
6989 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6990 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6991 * Memory:: Examining memory
6992 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6993 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6994 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
6995 * Value History:: Value history
6996 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6997 * Registers:: Registers
6998 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6999 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
7000 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
7001 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
7002 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
7003 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
7004 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
7005 character set than GDB does
7006 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
7007 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
7008 @end menu
7009
7010 @node Expressions
7011 @section Expressions
7012
7013 @cindex expressions
7014 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7015 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7016 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
7017 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
7018 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
7019 you compiled your program to include this information; see
7020 @ref{Compilation}.
7021
7022 @cindex arrays in expressions
7023 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
7024 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
7025 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7026 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7027 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7028 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7029
7030 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7031 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7032 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7033 languages.
7034
7035 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7036 expressions regardless of your programming language.
7037
7038 @cindex casts, in expressions
7039 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7040 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7041 at that address in memory.
7042 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7043
7044 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7045 to programming languages:
7046
7047 @table @code
7048 @item @@
7049 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7050 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7051
7052 @item ::
7053 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7054 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7055
7056 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7057 @cindex type casting memory
7058 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7059 @cindex casts, to view memory
7060 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7061 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7062 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7063 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7064 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7065 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7066 @end table
7067
7068 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7069 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7070 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7071
7072 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7073 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7074 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7075 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7076 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7077 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7078 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7079
7080 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7081 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7082 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7083 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7084 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7085 as well.
7086
7087 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7088 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7089 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7090 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7091 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7092 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7093 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7094 choices.
7095
7096 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7097 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7098 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7099
7100 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7101 @smallexample
7102 @group
7103 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7104 [0] cancel
7105 [1] all
7106 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7107 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7108 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7109 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7110 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7111 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7112 > 2 4 6
7113 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7114 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7115 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7116 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7117 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7118 breakpoints.
7119 (@value{GDBP})
7120 @end group
7121 @end smallexample
7122
7123 @table @code
7124 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7125 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7126 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7127
7128 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7129 is ambiguous.
7130
7131 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7132 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7133 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7134 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7135 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7136 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7137 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7138 in the use of the menu.
7139
7140 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7141 when an ambiguity is detected.
7142
7143 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7144 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7145
7146 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7147 @item show multiple-symbols
7148 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7149 @end table
7150
7151 @node Variables
7152 @section Program Variables
7153
7154 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7155 in your program.
7156
7157 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7158 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7159
7160 @itemize @bullet
7161 @item
7162 global (or file-static)
7163 @end itemize
7164
7165 @noindent or
7166
7167 @itemize @bullet
7168 @item
7169 visible according to the scope rules of the
7170 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7171 @end itemize
7172
7173 @noindent This means that in the function
7174
7175 @smallexample
7176 foo (a)
7177 int a;
7178 @{
7179 bar (a);
7180 @{
7181 int b = test ();
7182 bar (b);
7183 @}
7184 @}
7185 @end smallexample
7186
7187 @noindent
7188 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7189 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7190 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7191 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7192
7193 @cindex variable name conflict
7194 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7195 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7196 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7197 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7198 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7199 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
7200 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7201
7202 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7203 @ifnotinfo
7204 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7205 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7206 @end ifnotinfo
7207 @smallexample
7208 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7209 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7210 @end smallexample
7211
7212 @noindent
7213 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7214 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7215 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7216 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7217
7218 @smallexample
7219 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7220 @end smallexample
7221
7222 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7223 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7224 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7225 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7226 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7227 @c conflict?? --mew
7228
7229 @cindex wrong values
7230 @cindex variable values, wrong
7231 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7232 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7233 @quotation
7234 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7235 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7236 scope, and just before exit.
7237 @end quotation
7238 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7239 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7240 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7241 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7242 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7243 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7244 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7245 variable definitions may be gone.
7246
7247 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7248 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7249 when compiling.
7250
7251 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7252 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7253 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7254 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7255 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7256 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7257 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7258
7259 @smallexample
7260 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7261 @end smallexample
7262
7263 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7264 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7265 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
7266 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
7267 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
7268 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
7269 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
7270 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
7271 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
7272 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
7273 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7274
7275 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7276 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7277 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7278 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7279
7280 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7281 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7282 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7283 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7284 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7285 For program code
7286
7287 @smallexample
7288 char var0[] = "A";
7289 signed char var1[] = "A";
7290 @end smallexample
7291
7292 You get during debugging
7293 @smallexample
7294 (gdb) print var0
7295 $1 = "A"
7296 (gdb) print var1
7297 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7298 @end smallexample
7299
7300 @node Arrays
7301 @section Artificial Arrays
7302
7303 @cindex artificial array
7304 @cindex arrays
7305 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7306 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7307 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7308 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7309 program.
7310
7311 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7312 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7313 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7314 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7315 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7316 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7317 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7318 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7319 example. If a program says
7320
7321 @smallexample
7322 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7323 @end smallexample
7324
7325 @noindent
7326 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7327
7328 @smallexample
7329 p *array@@len
7330 @end smallexample
7331
7332 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7333 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7334 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7335 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7336 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7337
7338 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7339 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7340 The value need not be in memory:
7341 @smallexample
7342 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7343 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7344 @end smallexample
7345
7346 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7347 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7348 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7349 @smallexample
7350 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7351 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7352 @end smallexample
7353
7354 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7355 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7356 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7357 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7358 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7359 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7360 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7361 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7362 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7363 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7364
7365 @smallexample
7366 set $i = 0
7367 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7368 @key{RET}
7369 @key{RET}
7370 @dots{}
7371 @end smallexample
7372
7373 @node Output Formats
7374 @section Output Formats
7375
7376 @cindex formatted output
7377 @cindex output formats
7378 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7379 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7380 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7381 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7382 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7383
7384 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7385 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7386 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7387 letters supported are:
7388
7389 @table @code
7390 @item x
7391 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7392 hexadecimal.
7393
7394 @item d
7395 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7396
7397 @item u
7398 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7399
7400 @item o
7401 Print as integer in octal.
7402
7403 @item t
7404 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7405 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7406 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7407 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7408
7409 @item a
7410 @cindex unknown address, locating
7411 @cindex locate address
7412 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7413 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7414 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7415
7416 @smallexample
7417 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7418 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7419 @end smallexample
7420
7421 @noindent
7422 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7423 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7424
7425 @item c
7426 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7427 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7428 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7429 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7430
7431 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7432 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7433 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7434 data.
7435
7436 @item f
7437 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7438 using typical floating point syntax.
7439
7440 @item s
7441 @cindex printing strings
7442 @cindex printing byte arrays
7443 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7444 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7445 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7446 natural types.
7447
7448 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7449 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7450 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7451 array.
7452
7453 @item r
7454 @cindex raw printing
7455 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7456 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
7457 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
7458 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
7459 pretty-printer which might exist.
7460 @end table
7461
7462 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7463
7464 @smallexample
7465 p/x $pc
7466 @end smallexample
7467
7468 @noindent
7469 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7470 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7471
7472 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7473 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7474 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7475
7476 @node Memory
7477 @section Examining Memory
7478
7479 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7480 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7481
7482 @cindex examining memory
7483 @table @code
7484 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7485 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7486 @itemx x @var{addr}
7487 @itemx x
7488 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7489 @end table
7490
7491 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7492 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7493 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7494 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7495 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7496
7497 @table @r
7498 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7499 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7500 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7501 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7502 @c 4.1.2.
7503
7504 @item @var{f}, the display format
7505 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7506 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7507 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7508 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7509 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7510
7511 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7512 The unit size is any of
7513
7514 @table @code
7515 @item b
7516 Bytes.
7517 @item h
7518 Halfwords (two bytes).
7519 @item w
7520 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7521 @item g
7522 Giant words (eight bytes).
7523 @end table
7524
7525 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7526 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
7527 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
7528 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
7529 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
7530 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
7531 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
7532 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
7533 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
7534 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
7535 be altered.
7536
7537 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7538 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7539 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7540 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7541 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7542 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7543 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7544 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7545 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7546 a value from memory).
7547 @end table
7548
7549 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7550 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7551 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7552 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7553 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7554
7555 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7556 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7557 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7558 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7559 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7560
7561 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7562 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7563 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7564 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7565 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7566 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7567 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7568 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7569 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7570
7571 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7572 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7573 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7574 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7575 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7576 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7577 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7578
7579 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7580 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7581
7582 @smallexample
7583 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7584 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7585 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7586 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7587 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7588 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7589 @end smallexample
7590
7591 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7592 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7593 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7594 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7595 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7596 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7597 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7598 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7599 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7600
7601 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7602 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7603 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7604
7605 @cindex remote memory comparison
7606 @cindex verify remote memory image
7607 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7608 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7609 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7610 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7611 situations.
7612
7613 @table @code
7614 @kindex compare-sections
7615 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7616 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7617 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7618 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7619 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7620 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7621 remote request.
7622 @end table
7623
7624 @node Auto Display
7625 @section Automatic Display
7626 @cindex automatic display
7627 @cindex display of expressions
7628
7629 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7630 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7631 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7632 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7633 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7634 The automatic display looks like this:
7635
7636 @smallexample
7637 2: foo = 38
7638 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7639 @end smallexample
7640
7641 @noindent
7642 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7643 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7644 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7645 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7646 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7647 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7648
7649 @table @code
7650 @kindex display
7651 @item display @var{expr}
7652 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7653 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7654
7655 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7656
7657 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7658 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7659 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7660 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7661 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7662
7663 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7664 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7665 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7666 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7667 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7668 @end table
7669
7670 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7671 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7672 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7673
7674 @table @code
7675 @kindex delete display
7676 @kindex undisplay
7677 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7678 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7679 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
7680 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
7681 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
7682 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
7683 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7684
7685 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7686 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7687
7688 @kindex disable display
7689 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7690 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7691 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7692 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
7693 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
7694 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
7695 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
7696 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7697
7698 @kindex enable display
7699 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7700 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7701 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7702 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
7703 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
7704 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
7705 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7706
7707 @item display
7708 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7709 done when your program stops.
7710
7711 @kindex info display
7712 @item info display
7713 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7714 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7715 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7716 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7717 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7718 @end table
7719
7720 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7721 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7722 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7723 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7724 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7725 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7726 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7727 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7728 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7729 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7730 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7731
7732 @node Print Settings
7733 @section Print Settings
7734
7735 @cindex format options
7736 @cindex print settings
7737 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7738 and symbols are printed.
7739
7740 @noindent
7741 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7742
7743 @table @code
7744 @kindex set print
7745 @item set print address
7746 @itemx set print address on
7747 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7748 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7749 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7750 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7751 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7752 @code{set print address on}:
7753
7754 @smallexample
7755 @group
7756 (@value{GDBP}) f
7757 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7758 at input.c:530
7759 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7760 @end group
7761 @end smallexample
7762
7763 @item set print address off
7764 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7765 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7766
7767 @smallexample
7768 @group
7769 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7770 (@value{GDBP}) f
7771 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7772 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7773 @end group
7774 @end smallexample
7775
7776 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7777 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7778 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7779 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7780
7781 @kindex show print
7782 @item show print address
7783 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7784 @end table
7785
7786 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7787 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7788 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7789 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7790 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7791 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7792 it prints a symbolic address:
7793
7794 @table @code
7795 @item set print symbol-filename on
7796 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7797 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7798 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7799 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7800
7801 @item set print symbol-filename off
7802 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7803 default.
7804
7805 @item show print symbol-filename
7806 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7807 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7808 @end table
7809
7810 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7811 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7812 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7813
7814 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7815 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7816
7817 @table @code
7818 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7819 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7820 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7821 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7822 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7823 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7824
7825 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7826 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7827 symbolic address.
7828 @end table
7829
7830 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7831 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7832 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7833 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7834 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7835 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7836 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7837 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7838
7839 @smallexample
7840 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7841 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7842 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7843 @end smallexample
7844
7845 @quotation
7846 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7847 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7848 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7849 @end quotation
7850
7851 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7852
7853 @table @code
7854 @item set print array
7855 @itemx set print array on
7856 @cindex pretty print arrays
7857 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7858 but uses more space. The default is off.
7859
7860 @item set print array off
7861 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7862
7863 @item show print array
7864 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7865 arrays.
7866
7867 @cindex print array indexes
7868 @item set print array-indexes
7869 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7870 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7871 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7872 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7873
7874 @item set print array-indexes off
7875 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7876
7877 @item show print array-indexes
7878 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7879 arrays.
7880
7881 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7882 @cindex number of array elements to print
7883 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7884 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7885 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7886 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7887 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7888 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7889 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7890
7891 @item show print elements
7892 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7893 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7894
7895 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7896 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7897 @cindex printing frame argument values
7898 @cindex print all frame argument values
7899 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7900 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7901 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7902 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7903 values are:
7904
7905 @table @code
7906 @item all
7907 The values of all arguments are printed.
7908
7909 @item scalars
7910 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7911 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7912 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7913 only scalar arguments are shown:
7914
7915 @smallexample
7916 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7917 at frame-args.c:23
7918 @end smallexample
7919
7920 @item none
7921 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7922 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7923
7924 @smallexample
7925 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7926 at frame-args.c:23
7927 @end smallexample
7928 @end table
7929
7930 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7931 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7932 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7933 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7934 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7935 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7936 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7937 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7938 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7939 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7940
7941 @item show print frame-arguments
7942 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7943
7944 @item set print repeats
7945 @cindex repeated array elements
7946 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7947 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7948 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7949 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7950 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7951 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7952 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7953
7954 @item show print repeats
7955 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7956 elements.
7957
7958 @item set print null-stop
7959 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7960 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7961 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7962 contain only short strings.
7963 The default is off.
7964
7965 @item show print null-stop
7966 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7967 @sc{null} character.
7968
7969 @item set print pretty on
7970 @cindex print structures in indented form
7971 @cindex indentation in structure display
7972 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7973 per line, like this:
7974
7975 @smallexample
7976 @group
7977 $1 = @{
7978 next = 0x0,
7979 flags = @{
7980 sweet = 1,
7981 sour = 1
7982 @},
7983 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7984 @}
7985 @end group
7986 @end smallexample
7987
7988 @item set print pretty off
7989 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7990
7991 @smallexample
7992 @group
7993 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7994 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7995 @end group
7996 @end smallexample
7997
7998 @noindent
7999 This is the default format.
8000
8001 @item show print pretty
8002 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
8003
8004 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
8005 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
8006 @cindex octal escapes in strings
8007 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
8008 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
8009 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
8010 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
8011 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
8012
8013 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
8014 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
8015 international character sets, and is the default.
8016
8017 @item show print sevenbit-strings
8018 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
8019
8020 @item set print union on
8021 @cindex unions in structures, printing
8022 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
8023 and other unions. This is the default setting.
8024
8025 @item set print union off
8026 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
8027 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
8028 instead.
8029
8030 @item show print union
8031 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
8032 structures and other unions.
8033
8034 For example, given the declarations
8035
8036 @smallexample
8037 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
8038 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
8039 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
8040 Bug_forms;
8041
8042 struct thing @{
8043 Species it;
8044 union @{
8045 Tree_forms tree;
8046 Bug_forms bug;
8047 @} form;
8048 @};
8049
8050 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
8051 @end smallexample
8052
8053 @noindent
8054 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
8055
8056 @smallexample
8057 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
8058 @end smallexample
8059
8060 @noindent
8061 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
8062
8063 @smallexample
8064 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
8065 @end smallexample
8066
8067 @noindent
8068 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
8069 and in Pascal.
8070 @end table
8071
8072 @need 1000
8073 @noindent
8074 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
8075
8076 @table @code
8077 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
8078 @item set print demangle
8079 @itemx set print demangle on
8080 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
8081 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
8082 linkage. The default is on.
8083
8084 @item show print demangle
8085 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
8086
8087 @item set print asm-demangle
8088 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
8089 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
8090 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
8091 The default is off.
8092
8093 @item show print asm-demangle
8094 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
8095 or demangled form.
8096
8097 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
8098 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
8099 @kindex set demangle-style
8100 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
8101 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
8102 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
8103
8104 @table @code
8105 @item auto
8106 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8107
8108 @item gnu
8109 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8110 This is the default.
8111
8112 @item hp
8113 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8114
8115 @item lucid
8116 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8117
8118 @item arm
8119 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8120 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8121 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8122 require further enhancement to permit that.
8123
8124 @end table
8125 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8126
8127 @item show demangle-style
8128 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8129
8130 @item set print object
8131 @itemx set print object on
8132 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8133 @cindex display derived types
8134 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8135 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8136 the virtual function table.
8137
8138 @item set print object off
8139 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8140 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8141
8142 @item show print object
8143 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8144
8145 @item set print static-members
8146 @itemx set print static-members on
8147 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8148 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8149
8150 @item set print static-members off
8151 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8152
8153 @item show print static-members
8154 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8155
8156 @item set print pascal_static-members
8157 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8158 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8159 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8160 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8161
8162 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8163 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8164
8165 @item show print pascal_static-members
8166 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8167
8168 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8169 @item set print vtbl
8170 @itemx set print vtbl on
8171 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8172 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8173 @cindex VTBL display
8174 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8175 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8176 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8177
8178 @item set print vtbl off
8179 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8180
8181 @item show print vtbl
8182 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8183 @end table
8184
8185 @node Pretty Printing
8186 @section Pretty Printing
8187
8188 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8189 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8190 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8191
8192 @menu
8193 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
8194 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
8195 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
8196 @end menu
8197
8198 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
8199 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
8200
8201 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
8202 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
8203 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
8204
8205 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
8206 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
8207 pretty-printers with their names.
8208 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
8209 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
8210 Each such subprinter has its own name.
8211 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
8212
8213 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
8214 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
8215 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
8216 do anything special.
8217
8218 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
8219
8220 @itemize @bullet
8221 @item
8222 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
8223 all inferiors.
8224
8225 @item
8226 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
8227 when debugging that program.
8228 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
8229
8230 @item
8231 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
8232 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
8233 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
8234 @end itemize
8235
8236 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
8237 pretty-printers are selected,
8238
8239 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
8240 for new types.
8241
8242 @node Pretty-Printer Example
8243 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
8244
8245 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
8246
8247 @smallexample
8248 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8249 $1 = @{
8250 static npos = 4294967295,
8251 _M_dataplus = @{
8252 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
8253 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
8254 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
8255 @},
8256 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
8257 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
8258 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
8259 @}
8260 @}
8261 @end smallexample
8262
8263 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
8264
8265 @smallexample
8266 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8267 $2 = "abcd"
8268 @end smallexample
8269
8270 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
8271 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
8272 @cindex pretty-printer commands
8273
8274 @table @code
8275 @kindex info pretty-printer
8276 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8277 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
8278 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
8279
8280 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
8281 whose pretty-printers to list.
8282 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
8283 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
8284 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
8285 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
8286 looks up a printer from these three objects.
8287
8288 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
8289 to list.
8290
8291 @kindex disable pretty-printer
8292 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8293 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8294 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
8295
8296 @kindex enable pretty-printer
8297 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8298 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8299 @end table
8300
8301 Example:
8302
8303 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
8304 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
8305 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
8306 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
8307
8308 @smallexample
8309 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8310 library1.so:
8311 foo
8312 library2.so:
8313 bar
8314 bar1
8315 bar2
8316 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8317 library2.so:
8318 bar
8319 bar1
8320 bar2
8321 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
8322 1 printer disabled
8323 2 of 3 printers enabled
8324 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8325 library1.so:
8326 foo [disabled]
8327 library2.so:
8328 bar
8329 bar1
8330 bar2
8331 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
8332 1 printer disabled
8333 1 of 3 printers enabled
8334 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8335 library1.so:
8336 foo [disabled]
8337 library2.so:
8338 bar
8339 bar1 [disabled]
8340 bar2
8341 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
8342 1 printer disabled
8343 0 of 3 printers enabled
8344 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8345 library1.so:
8346 foo [disabled]
8347 library2.so:
8348 bar [disabled]
8349 bar1 [disabled]
8350 bar2
8351 @end smallexample
8352
8353 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
8354 as can each individual subprinter.
8355
8356 @node Value History
8357 @section Value History
8358
8359 @cindex value history
8360 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
8361 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
8362 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
8363 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
8364 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
8365 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
8366 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
8367 symbol table.
8368
8369 @cindex @code{$}
8370 @cindex @code{$$}
8371 @cindex history number
8372 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
8373 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
8374 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
8375 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
8376 history number.
8377
8378 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
8379 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
8380 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
8381 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
8382 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
8383 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
8384 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
8385
8386 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
8387 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
8388
8389 @smallexample
8390 p *$
8391 @end smallexample
8392
8393 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
8394 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
8395
8396 @smallexample
8397 p *$.next
8398 @end smallexample
8399
8400 @noindent
8401 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
8402 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
8403
8404 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
8405 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
8406
8407 @smallexample
8408 print x
8409 set x=5
8410 @end smallexample
8411
8412 @noindent
8413 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
8414 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
8415
8416 @table @code
8417 @kindex show values
8418 @item show values
8419 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
8420 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
8421 values} does not change the history.
8422
8423 @item show values @var{n}
8424 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
8425
8426 @item show values +
8427 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
8428 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
8429 @end table
8430
8431 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
8432 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
8433
8434 @node Convenience Vars
8435 @section Convenience Variables
8436
8437 @cindex convenience variables
8438 @cindex user-defined variables
8439 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
8440 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
8441 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
8442 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
8443 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
8444
8445 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
8446 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
8447 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8448 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
8449 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
8450
8451 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
8452 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
8453 For example:
8454
8455 @smallexample
8456 set $foo = *object_ptr
8457 @end smallexample
8458
8459 @noindent
8460 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
8461 @code{object_ptr}.
8462
8463 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
8464 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
8465 value with another assignment at any time.
8466
8467 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
8468 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
8469 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
8470 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
8471
8472 @table @code
8473 @kindex show convenience
8474 @cindex show all user variables
8475 @item show convenience
8476 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
8477 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
8478
8479 @kindex init-if-undefined
8480 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
8481 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
8482 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
8483 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
8484 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8485 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8486 override default values used in a command script.
8487
8488 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8489 any side-effects do not occur.
8490 @end table
8491
8492 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8493 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8494 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8495
8496 @smallexample
8497 set $i = 0
8498 print bar[$i++]->contents
8499 @end smallexample
8500
8501 @noindent
8502 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8503
8504 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8505 values likely to be useful.
8506
8507 @table @code
8508 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8509 @item $_
8510 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8511 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8512 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8513 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8514 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8515 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8516 to the type of @code{$__}.
8517
8518 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8519 @item $__
8520 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8521 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8522 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8523
8524 @item $_exitcode
8525 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8526 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8527 the program being debugged terminates.
8528
8529 @item $_sdata
8530 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
8531 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
8532 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
8533 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
8534 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
8535
8536 @item $_siginfo
8537 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8538 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8539 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8540 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8541 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8542
8543 @item $_tlb
8544 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
8545 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
8546 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
8547 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
8548 @xref{General Query Packets}.
8549 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
8550
8551 @end table
8552
8553 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8554 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8555 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8556
8557 @cindex convenience functions
8558 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8559 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8560 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8561 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8562 @value{GDBN}.
8563
8564 @table @code
8565 @item help function
8566 @kindex help function
8567 @cindex show all convenience functions
8568 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8569 @end table
8570
8571 @node Registers
8572 @section Registers
8573
8574 @cindex registers
8575 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8576 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8577 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8578 your machine.
8579
8580 @table @code
8581 @kindex info registers
8582 @item info registers
8583 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8584 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8585
8586 @kindex info all-registers
8587 @cindex floating point registers
8588 @item info all-registers
8589 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8590 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8591
8592 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8593 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8594 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8595 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8596 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8597 @end table
8598
8599 @cindex stack pointer register
8600 @cindex program counter register
8601 @cindex process status register
8602 @cindex frame pointer register
8603 @cindex standard registers
8604 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8605 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8606 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8607 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8608 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8609 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8610 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8611 you could print the program counter in hex with
8612
8613 @smallexample
8614 p/x $pc
8615 @end smallexample
8616
8617 @noindent
8618 or print the instruction to be executed next with
8619
8620 @smallexample
8621 x/i $pc
8622 @end smallexample
8623
8624 @noindent
8625 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8626 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8627 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8628 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8629 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8630 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8631 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8632
8633 @smallexample
8634 set $sp += 4
8635 @end smallexample
8636
8637 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8638 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8639 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8640 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8641 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8642 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8643 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8644
8645 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8646 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8647 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8648 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8649 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8650 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8651 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8652
8653 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8654 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8655 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8656 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8657 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8658 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8659 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8660 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8661 prints the data in both formats.
8662
8663 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
8664 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
8665 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8666 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8667 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8668 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8669 registers in @code{struct} notation:
8670
8671 @smallexample
8672 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8673 $1 = @{
8674 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8675 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8676 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8677 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8678 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8679 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8680 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8681 @}
8682 @end smallexample
8683
8684 @noindent
8685 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8686 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8687 value to a @code{struct} member:
8688
8689 @smallexample
8690 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8691 @end smallexample
8692
8693 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8694 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8695 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8696 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8697 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8698 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8699
8700 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8701 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8702 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8703 frame makes no difference.
8704
8705 @node Floating Point Hardware
8706 @section Floating Point Hardware
8707 @cindex floating point
8708
8709 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8710 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8711
8712 @table @code
8713 @kindex info float
8714 @item info float
8715 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8716 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8717 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8718 the ARM and x86 machines.
8719 @end table
8720
8721 @node Vector Unit
8722 @section Vector Unit
8723 @cindex vector unit
8724
8725 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8726 more information about the status of the vector unit.
8727
8728 @table @code
8729 @kindex info vector
8730 @item info vector
8731 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8732 layout vary depending on the hardware.
8733 @end table
8734
8735 @node OS Information
8736 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8737 @cindex OS information
8738
8739 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8740 you debug your program.
8741
8742 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8743 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
8744 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8745 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8746 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8747 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8748 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8749 structure.
8750
8751 @table @code
8752 @item info udot
8753 @kindex info udot
8754 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8755 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8756 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8757 the @code{examine} command.
8758 @end table
8759
8760 @cindex auxiliary vector
8761 @cindex vector, auxiliary
8762 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8763 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8764 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8765 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8766 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8767 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8768 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8769 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8770 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8771 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8772 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8773
8774 @table @code
8775 @kindex info auxv
8776 @item info auxv
8777 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8778 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8779 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8780 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8781 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8782 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8783 an unrecognized tag.
8784 @end table
8785
8786 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8787 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8788 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8789 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8790
8791 @table @code
8792 @kindex info os
8793 @item info os
8794 List the types of OS information available for the target. If the
8795 target does not return a list of possible types, this command will
8796 report an error.
8797
8798 @kindex info os processes
8799 @item info os processes
8800 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8801 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8802 the command corresponding to the process.
8803 @end table
8804
8805 @node Memory Region Attributes
8806 @section Memory Region Attributes
8807 @cindex memory region attributes
8808
8809 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8810 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8811 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8812 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8813 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8814 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8815 user can override the fetched regions.
8816
8817 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8818 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8819 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8820 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8821 all memory.
8822
8823 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8824 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8825
8826 @table @code
8827 @kindex mem
8828 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8829 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8830 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8831 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8832 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8833 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8834
8835 @item mem auto
8836 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8837 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8838
8839 @kindex delete mem
8840 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8841 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8842 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8843
8844 @kindex disable mem
8845 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8846 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8847 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8848 It may be enabled again later.
8849
8850 @kindex enable mem
8851 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8852 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8853
8854 @kindex info mem
8855 @item info mem
8856 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8857 for each region:
8858
8859 @table @emph
8860 @item Memory Region Number
8861 @item Enabled or Disabled.
8862 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8863 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8864
8865 @item Lo Address
8866 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8867
8868 @item Hi Address
8869 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8870
8871 @item Attributes
8872 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8873 @end table
8874 @end table
8875
8876
8877 @subsection Attributes
8878
8879 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8880 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8881 write accesses to a memory region.
8882
8883 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8884 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8885 etc.@: from accessing memory.
8886
8887 @table @code
8888 @item ro
8889 Memory is read only.
8890 @item wo
8891 Memory is write only.
8892 @item rw
8893 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8894 @end table
8895
8896 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
8897 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8898 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8899 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8900 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8901
8902 @table @code
8903 @item 8
8904 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8905 @item 16
8906 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8907 @item 32
8908 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8909 @item 64
8910 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8911 @end table
8912
8913 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8914 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8915 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8916 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8917 @c
8918 @c @table @code
8919 @c @item hwbreak
8920 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8921 @c @item swbreak (default)
8922 @c @end table
8923
8924 @subsubsection Data Cache
8925 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8926 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8927 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8928 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8929 registers.
8930
8931 @table @code
8932 @item cache
8933 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8934 @item nocache
8935 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8936 @end table
8937
8938 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8939 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8940 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8941 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8942 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8943
8944 @table @code
8945 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8946 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8947 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8948 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8949 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8950 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8951 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8952 The default value is @code{on}.
8953 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8954 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8955 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8956 @end table
8957
8958
8959 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8960 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8961 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8962 @c
8963 @c @table @code
8964 @c @item verify
8965 @c @item noverify (default)
8966 @c @end table
8967
8968 @node Dump/Restore Files
8969 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8970 @cindex dump/restore files
8971 @cindex append data to a file
8972 @cindex dump data to a file
8973 @cindex restore data from a file
8974
8975 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8976 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8977 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8978 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8979 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8980 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8981 files.
8982
8983 @table @code
8984
8985 @kindex dump
8986 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8987 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8988 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8989 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8990
8991 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8992 @table @code
8993 @item binary
8994 Raw binary form.
8995 @item ihex
8996 Intel hex format.
8997 @item srec
8998 Motorola S-record format.
8999 @item tekhex
9000 Tektronix Hex format.
9001 @end table
9002
9003 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
9004 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
9005 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
9006 form.
9007
9008 @kindex append
9009 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9010 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9011 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9012 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
9013 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
9014
9015 @kindex restore
9016 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
9017 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
9018 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
9019 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
9020 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
9021
9022 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
9023 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
9024 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
9025 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
9026 from that location.
9027
9028 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
9029 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
9030 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
9031 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
9032
9033 @end table
9034
9035 @node Core File Generation
9036 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
9037 @cindex dump core from inferior
9038
9039 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
9040 image of a running process and its process status (register values
9041 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
9042 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
9043 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
9044 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
9045 the post-mortem debugging mode.
9046
9047 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
9048 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
9049 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
9050
9051 @table @code
9052 @kindex gcore
9053 @kindex generate-core-file
9054 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
9055 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
9056 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
9057 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
9058 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
9059 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
9060
9061 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
9062 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
9063 @end table
9064
9065 @node Character Sets
9066 @section Character Sets
9067 @cindex character sets
9068 @cindex charset
9069 @cindex translating between character sets
9070 @cindex host character set
9071 @cindex target character set
9072
9073 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
9074 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
9075 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
9076 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
9077 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
9078 @dfn{target character set}.
9079
9080 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
9081 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
9082 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
9083 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
9084 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
9085 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
9086 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
9087 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
9088 character and string literals in expressions.
9089
9090 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
9091 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
9092 target-charset} command, described below.
9093
9094 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
9095 support:
9096
9097 @table @code
9098 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
9099 @kindex set target-charset
9100 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
9101 list of supported target character sets, type
9102 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9103
9104 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
9105 @kindex set host-charset
9106 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
9107
9108 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
9109 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
9110 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
9111 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
9112 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
9113
9114 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
9115 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9116 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
9117
9118 @item set charset @var{charset}
9119 @kindex set charset
9120 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
9121 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9122 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
9123 for both host and target.
9124
9125 @item show charset
9126 @kindex show charset
9127 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
9128
9129 @item show host-charset
9130 @kindex show host-charset
9131 Show the name of the current host character set.
9132
9133 @item show target-charset
9134 @kindex show target-charset
9135 Show the name of the current target character set.
9136
9137 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
9138 @kindex set target-wide-charset
9139 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
9140 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
9141 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
9142 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9143
9144 @item show target-wide-charset
9145 @kindex show target-wide-charset
9146 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
9147 @end table
9148
9149 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
9150 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
9151 @file{charset-test.c}:
9152
9153 @smallexample
9154 #include <stdio.h>
9155
9156 char ascii_hello[]
9157 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
9158 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
9159 char ibm1047_hello[]
9160 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
9161 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
9162
9163 main ()
9164 @{
9165 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9166 @}
9167 @end smallexample
9168
9169 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
9170 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
9171 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
9172
9173 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
9174
9175 @smallexample
9176 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
9177 $ gdb -nw charset-test
9178 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
9179 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9180 @dots{}
9181 (@value{GDBP})
9182 @end smallexample
9183
9184 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
9185 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
9186 strings:
9187
9188 @smallexample
9189 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9190 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
9191 (@value{GDBP})
9192 @end smallexample
9193
9194 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
9195 initial character set:
9196 @smallexample
9197 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
9198 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9199 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
9200 (@value{GDBP})
9201 @end smallexample
9202
9203 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
9204 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
9205 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
9206 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
9207 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
9208
9209 @smallexample
9210 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9211 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
9212 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9213 $2 = 72 'H'
9214 (@value{GDBP})
9215 @end smallexample
9216
9217 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
9218 literals you use in expressions:
9219
9220 @smallexample
9221 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9222 $3 = 43 '+'
9223 (@value{GDBP})
9224 @end smallexample
9225
9226 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
9227 character.
9228
9229 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
9230 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
9231 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
9232
9233 @smallexample
9234 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9235 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
9236 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9237 $5 = 200 '\310'
9238 (@value{GDBP})
9239 @end smallexample
9240
9241 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
9242 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
9243
9244 @smallexample
9245 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9246 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
9247 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9248 @end smallexample
9249
9250 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
9251 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
9252 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
9253 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
9254 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
9255
9256 @smallexample
9257 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
9258 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9259 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
9260 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
9261 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9262 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
9263 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9264 $7 = 72 '\110'
9265 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9266 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
9267 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9268 $9 = 200 'H'
9269 (@value{GDBP})
9270 @end smallexample
9271
9272 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
9273 string literals you use in expressions:
9274
9275 @smallexample
9276 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9277 $10 = 78 '+'
9278 (@value{GDBP})
9279 @end smallexample
9280
9281 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
9282 character.
9283
9284 @node Caching Remote Data
9285 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
9286 @cindex caching data of remote targets
9287
9288 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
9289 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
9290 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
9291 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
9292 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
9293 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
9294 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
9295 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
9296 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
9297 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
9298 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
9299 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
9300 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
9301 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
9302 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
9303
9304 @table @code
9305 @kindex set remotecache
9306 @item set remotecache on
9307 @itemx set remotecache off
9308 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
9309 with old scripts.
9310
9311 @kindex show remotecache
9312 @item show remotecache
9313 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
9314
9315 @kindex set stack-cache
9316 @item set stack-cache on
9317 @itemx set stack-cache off
9318 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
9319 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
9320
9321 @kindex show stack-cache
9322 @item show stack-cache
9323 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
9324
9325 @kindex info dcache
9326 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
9327 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
9328 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
9329 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
9330 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
9331 operation.
9332
9333 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
9334 printed in hex.
9335
9336 @item set dcache size @var{size}
9337 @cindex dcache size
9338 @kindex set dcache size
9339 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
9340
9341 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
9342 @cindex dcache line-size
9343 @kindex set dcache line-size
9344 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
9345 Must be a power of 2.
9346
9347 @item show dcache size
9348 @kindex show dcache size
9349 Show maximum number of dcache entries. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
9350
9351 @item show dcache line-size
9352 @kindex show dcache line-size
9353 Show default size of dcache lines. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
9354
9355 @end table
9356
9357 @node Searching Memory
9358 @section Search Memory
9359 @cindex searching memory
9360
9361 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
9362 @code{find} command.
9363
9364 @table @code
9365 @kindex find
9366 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9367 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9368 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
9369 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
9370 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
9371 @end table
9372
9373 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
9374 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
9375
9376 @table @r
9377 @item @var{s}, search query size
9378 The size of each search query value.
9379
9380 @table @code
9381 @item b
9382 bytes
9383 @item h
9384 halfwords (two bytes)
9385 @item w
9386 words (four bytes)
9387 @item g
9388 giant words (eight bytes)
9389 @end table
9390
9391 All values are interpreted in the current language.
9392 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
9393 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
9394
9395 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
9396 value's type in the current language.
9397 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
9398 pattern as a mixture of types.
9399 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
9400 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
9401 which is typically four bytes.
9402
9403 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
9404 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
9405 @end table
9406
9407 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
9408 (@code{"}).
9409 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
9410 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
9411
9412 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
9413 number of matches found.
9414
9415 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
9416 @samp{$_}.
9417 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
9418
9419 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
9420
9421 @smallexample
9422 void
9423 hello ()
9424 @{
9425 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
9426 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
9427 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
9428 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
9429 printf ("%s\n", hello);
9430 @}
9431 @end smallexample
9432
9433 @noindent
9434 you get during debugging:
9435
9436 @smallexample
9437 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
9438 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9439 1 pattern found
9440 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
9441 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9442 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9443 2 patterns found
9444 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
9445 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9446 1 pattern found
9447 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
9448 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
9449 1 pattern found
9450 (gdb) print $numfound
9451 $1 = 1
9452 (gdb) print $_
9453 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
9454 @end smallexample
9455
9456 @node Optimized Code
9457 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
9458 @cindex optimized code, debugging
9459 @cindex debugging optimized code
9460
9461 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
9462 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
9463 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
9464 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
9465 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
9466 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
9467 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
9468
9469 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
9470 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
9471 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
9472 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
9473
9474 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
9475 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
9476 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
9477 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
9478 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
9479 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
9480
9481 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
9482 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
9483 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
9484 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
9485 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
9486
9487 @menu
9488 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
9489 @end menu
9490
9491 @node Inline Functions
9492 @section Inline Functions
9493 @cindex inline functions, debugging
9494
9495 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
9496 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
9497 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
9498 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
9499 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
9500 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
9501 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
9502 @code{info frame} command.
9503
9504 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
9505 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
9506 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
9507 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
9508 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
9509 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
9510 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
9511 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
9512 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
9513 local variables in the caller.
9514
9515 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
9516 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
9517 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
9518 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
9519 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
9520 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
9521 instructions are executed.
9522
9523 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
9524 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
9525 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
9526 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9527
9528 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9529 function calls are the same as normal calls:
9530
9531 @itemize @bullet
9532 @item
9533 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9534 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9535 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9536 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9537 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9538 function instead.
9539
9540 @item
9541 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9542 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9543 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9544 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9545 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9546 or inside the inlined function instead.
9547
9548 @item
9549 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9550 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9551 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9552 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9553
9554 @end itemize
9555
9556
9557 @node Macros
9558 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9559
9560 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9561 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9562 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9563 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9564 where it was defined.
9565
9566 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9567 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9568 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9569 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9570
9571 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9572 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9573 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9574 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9575 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9576 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9577 see @ref{List}.
9578
9579 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9580 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9581 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9582
9583 @table @code
9584
9585 @kindex macro expand
9586 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9587 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9588 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9589 @item macro expand @var{expression}
9590 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9591 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9592 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9593 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9594 it can be any string of tokens.
9595
9596 @kindex macro exp1
9597 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9598 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9599 @cindex expand macro once
9600 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9601 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9602 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9603 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9604 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9605 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9606 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9607 can be any string of tokens.
9608
9609 @kindex info macro
9610 @cindex macro definition, showing
9611 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
9612 @cindex macros, from debug info
9613 @item info macro @var{macro}
9614 Show the current definition of the named @var{macro}, and describe the
9615 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9616
9617 @kindex info macros
9618 @item info macros @var{linespec}
9619 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
9620 by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
9621 command-line where those definitions were established.
9622
9623 @kindex info definitions
9624 @item info definitions @var{macro}
9625 Show all definitions of the named @var{macro} that are defined in the current
9626 compilation unit, and describe the source location or compiler command-line
9627 where those definitions were established.
9628
9629 @kindex macro define
9630 @cindex user-defined macros
9631 @cindex defining macros interactively
9632 @cindex macros, user-defined
9633 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9634 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9635 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9636 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9637 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9638 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9639 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9640 @var{arglist}.
9641
9642 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9643 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9644 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9645 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9646 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9647
9648 @kindex macro undef
9649 @item macro undef @var{macro}
9650 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9651 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9652 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9653 in the program being debugged.
9654
9655 @kindex macro list
9656 @item macro list
9657 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9658 @end table
9659
9660 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
9661 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9662 show our source files:
9663
9664 @smallexample
9665 $ cat sample.c
9666 #include <stdio.h>
9667 #include "sample.h"
9668
9669 #define M 42
9670 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9671
9672 main ()
9673 @{
9674 #define N 28
9675 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9676 #undef N
9677 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9678 #define N 1729
9679 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9680 @}
9681 $ cat sample.h
9682 #define Q <
9683 $
9684 @end smallexample
9685
9686 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9687 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9688 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9689 information.
9690
9691 @smallexample
9692 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9693 $
9694 @end smallexample
9695
9696 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9697
9698 @smallexample
9699 $ gdb -nw sample
9700 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9701 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9702 GDB is free software, @dots{}
9703 (@value{GDBP})
9704 @end smallexample
9705
9706 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9707 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9708 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9709
9710 @smallexample
9711 (@value{GDBP}) list main
9712 3
9713 4 #define M 42
9714 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9715 6
9716 7 main ()
9717 8 @{
9718 9 #define N 28
9719 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9720 11 #undef N
9721 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9722 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9723 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9724 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9725 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9726 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9727 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9728 #define Q <
9729 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9730 expands to: (42 + 1)
9731 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9732 expands to: once (M + 1)
9733 (@value{GDBP})
9734 @end smallexample
9735
9736 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9737 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9738 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9739 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9740
9741 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9742 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9743
9744 @smallexample
9745 (@value{GDBP}) break main
9746 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9747 (@value{GDBP}) run
9748 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9749
9750 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
9751 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9752 (@value{GDBP})
9753 @end smallexample
9754
9755 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9756
9757 @smallexample
9758 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9759 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9760 #define N 28
9761 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9762 expands to: 28 < 42
9763 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9764 $1 = 1
9765 (@value{GDBP})
9766 @end smallexample
9767
9768 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9769 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9770 thereof) in force at each point:
9771
9772 @smallexample
9773 (@value{GDBP}) next
9774 Hello, world!
9775 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9776 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9777 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9778 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9779 (@value{GDBP}) next
9780 We're so creative.
9781 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9782 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9783 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9784 #define N 1729
9785 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9786 expands to: 1729 < 42
9787 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9788 $2 = 0
9789 (@value{GDBP})
9790 @end smallexample
9791
9792 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9793 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9794 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9795 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9796
9797 @smallexample
9798 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9799 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9800 -D__STDC__=1
9801 (@value{GDBP})
9802 @end smallexample
9803
9804
9805 @node Tracepoints
9806 @chapter Tracepoints
9807 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9808 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9809
9810 @cindex tracepoints
9811 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9812 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9813 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9814 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9815 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9816 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9817 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9818
9819 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9820 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9821 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9822 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9823 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9824 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9825 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9826 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9827 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9828 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9829 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9830
9831 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9832 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9833 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9834 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9835 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9836 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9837 Packets}.
9838
9839 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
9840 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
9841 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
9842
9843 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9844
9845 @menu
9846 * Set Tracepoints::
9847 * Analyze Collected Data::
9848 * Tracepoint Variables::
9849 * Trace Files::
9850 @end menu
9851
9852 @node Set Tracepoints
9853 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9854
9855 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9856 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9857 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9858 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9859 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9860 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9861 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9862
9863 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9864 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9865 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9866 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9867 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9868 tracepoint was hit.
9869
9870 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
9871 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
9872 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
9873 either.
9874
9875 @cindex fast tracepoints
9876 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
9877 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
9878 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
9879
9880 @cindex static tracepoints
9881 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
9882 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
9883 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
9884 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
9885 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
9886 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
9887 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
9888 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
9889 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
9890 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
9891 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
9892 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
9893 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
9894 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
9895 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
9896 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
9897 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
9898 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
9899 static tracepoint marker.
9900
9901 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
9902 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
9903
9904 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9905 conditions and actions.
9906
9907 @menu
9908 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9909 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9910 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
9911 * Tracepoint Conditions::
9912 * Trace State Variables::
9913 * Tracepoint Actions::
9914 * Listing Tracepoints::
9915 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
9916 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9917 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
9918 @end menu
9919
9920 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9921 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9922
9923 @table @code
9924 @cindex set tracepoint
9925 @kindex trace
9926 @item trace @var{location}
9927 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9928 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9929 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9930 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9931 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9932 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9933 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9934 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9935 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9936
9937 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9938
9939 @smallexample
9940 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9941
9942 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9943
9944 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9945
9946 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9947
9948 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9949 @end smallexample
9950
9951 @noindent
9952 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9953
9954 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9955 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9956 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9957 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9958 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9959 information on tracepoint conditions.
9960
9961 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9962 @cindex set fast tracepoint
9963 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
9964 @kindex ftrace
9965 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
9966 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
9967 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
9968 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
9969 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
9970 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
9971 message.
9972
9973 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
9974 @code{trace}.
9975
9976 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9977 @cindex set static tracepoint
9978 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
9979 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
9980 @kindex strace
9981 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
9982 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
9983 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
9984 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
9985 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
9986
9987 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
9988 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
9989 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
9990 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
9991 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
9992 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
9993 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
9994 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
9995 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
9996 tracing engine:
9997
9998 @smallexample
9999 main ()
10000 @{
10001 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
10002 @}
10003 @end smallexample
10004
10005 @noindent
10006 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
10007 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
10008
10009 @smallexample
10010 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
10011 Cnt Enb ID Address What
10012 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
10013 Data: "str %s"
10014 [etc...]
10015 @end smallexample
10016
10017 @noindent
10018 so you may probe the marker above with:
10019
10020 @smallexample
10021 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
10022 @end smallexample
10023
10024 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
10025 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
10026 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
10027 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
10028 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
10029 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
10030 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
10031 the @samp{Data:} field.
10032
10033 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
10034 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
10035 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
10036
10037 @vindex $tpnum
10038 @cindex last tracepoint number
10039 @cindex recent tracepoint number
10040 @cindex tracepoint number
10041 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
10042 of the most recently set tracepoint.
10043
10044 @kindex delete tracepoint
10045 @cindex tracepoint deletion
10046 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10047 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
10048 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
10049 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
10050
10051 Examples:
10052
10053 @smallexample
10054 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
10055
10056 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
10057 @end smallexample
10058
10059 @noindent
10060 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
10061 @end table
10062
10063 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
10064 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
10065
10066 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
10067
10068 @table @code
10069 @kindex disable tracepoint
10070 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10071 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
10072 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
10073 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
10074 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
10075 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
10076 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
10077 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
10078 next trace experiment.
10079
10080 @kindex enable tracepoint
10081 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10082 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
10083 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
10084 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
10085 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
10086 next time a trace experiment is run.
10087 @end table
10088
10089 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
10090 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
10091
10092 @table @code
10093 @kindex passcount
10094 @cindex tracepoint pass count
10095 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
10096 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
10097 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
10098 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
10099 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
10100 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
10101 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
10102 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
10103 user.
10104
10105 Examples:
10106
10107 @smallexample
10108 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
10109 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
10110
10111 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
10112 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
10113 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10114 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
10115 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
10116 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
10117 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
10118 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
10119 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
10120 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
10121 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
10122 @end smallexample
10123 @end table
10124
10125 @node Tracepoint Conditions
10126 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
10127 @cindex conditional tracepoints
10128 @cindex tracepoint conditions
10129
10130 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
10131 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
10132 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
10133 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
10134 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
10135 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
10136 is true.
10137
10138 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
10139 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
10140 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
10141 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
10142 just as with breakpoints.
10143
10144 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
10145 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
10146 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
10147 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
10148 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
10149 accesses, and so forth.
10150
10151 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
10152 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
10153 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
10154 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
10155 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
10156 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
10157 search through.
10158
10159 @smallexample
10160 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
10161 @end smallexample
10162
10163 @node Trace State Variables
10164 @subsection Trace State Variables
10165 @cindex trace state variables
10166
10167 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
10168 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
10169 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
10170 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
10171 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
10172 integers.
10173
10174 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
10175 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
10176 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
10177 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
10178
10179 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
10180 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
10181 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
10182 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
10183 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
10184 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
10185 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
10186 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
10187 variable with the same name.
10188
10189 @table @code
10190
10191 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
10192 @kindex tvariable
10193 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
10194 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
10195 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
10196 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
10197 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
10198 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
10199 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
10200 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
10201 value. The default initial value is 0.
10202
10203 @item info tvariables
10204 @kindex info tvariables
10205 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
10206 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
10207 currently running.
10208
10209 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
10210 @kindex delete tvariable
10211 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
10212 are specified.
10213
10214 @end table
10215
10216 @node Tracepoint Actions
10217 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
10218
10219 @table @code
10220 @kindex actions
10221 @cindex tracepoint actions
10222 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10223 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
10224 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
10225 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
10226 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
10227 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
10228 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
10229 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
10230 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
10231 @code{while-stepping}.
10232
10233 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
10234 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
10235 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
10236
10237 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
10238 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
10239 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
10240
10241 @smallexample
10242 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
10243
10244 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
10245
10246 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
10247 @end smallexample
10248
10249 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
10250 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
10251 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
10252 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
10253 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
10254 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
10255 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
10256 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
10257
10258 @smallexample
10259 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10260 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10261 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
10262 > collect bar,baz
10263 > collect $regs
10264 > while-stepping 12
10265 > collect $pc, arr[i]
10266 > end
10267 end
10268 @end smallexample
10269
10270 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
10271 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10272 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
10273 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
10274 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
10275 special arguments are supported:
10276
10277 @table @code
10278 @item $regs
10279 Collect all registers.
10280
10281 @item $args
10282 Collect all function arguments.
10283
10284 @item $locals
10285 Collect all local variables.
10286
10287 @item $_ret
10288 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
10289 of a backtrace.
10290
10291 @item $_sdata
10292 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
10293 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
10294 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
10295 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
10296 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
10297 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
10298 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
10299 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
10300 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
10301
10302 @smallexample
10303 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
10304 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
10305 @end smallexample
10306
10307 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
10308 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
10309 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
10310 @value{GDBN}.
10311 @end table
10312
10313 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
10314 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
10315 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
10316
10317 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
10318 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
10319
10320 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
10321 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10322 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
10323 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
10324 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
10325 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
10326 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
10327 action were used.
10328
10329 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
10330 @item while-stepping @var{n}
10331 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
10332 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
10333 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
10334 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
10335
10336 @smallexample
10337 > while-stepping 12
10338 > collect $regs, myglobal
10339 > end
10340 >
10341 @end smallexample
10342
10343 @noindent
10344 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
10345 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
10346 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
10347 @code{stepping}.
10348
10349 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10350 @kindex set default-collect
10351 @cindex default collection action
10352 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
10353 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
10354 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
10355 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
10356 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
10357 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
10358
10359 @item show default-collect
10360 @kindex show default-collect
10361 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
10362 tracepoint hit.
10363
10364 @end table
10365
10366 @node Listing Tracepoints
10367 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
10368
10369 @table @code
10370 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
10371 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
10372 @cindex information about tracepoints
10373 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
10374 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
10375 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
10376 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
10377 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
10378 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
10379
10380 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
10381 tracing:
10382
10383 @itemize @bullet
10384 @item
10385 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
10386 @end itemize
10387
10388 @smallexample
10389 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
10390 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
10391 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
10392 while-stepping 20
10393 collect globfoo, $regs
10394 end
10395 collect globfoo2
10396 end
10397 pass count 1200
10398 (@value{GDBP})
10399 @end smallexample
10400
10401 @noindent
10402 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
10403 @end table
10404
10405 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10406 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10407
10408 @table @code
10409 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
10410 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
10411 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
10412 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
10413 program.
10414
10415 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
10416
10417 @table @emph
10418 @item Count
10419 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
10420 stable identifier.
10421 @item ID
10422 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
10423 @item Enabled or Disabled
10424 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
10425 that are not enabled.
10426 @item Address
10427 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
10428 @item What
10429 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
10430 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
10431 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
10432 will be left blank.
10433 @end table
10434
10435 @noindent
10436 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
10437
10438 @table @emph
10439 @item Data
10440 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
10441 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
10442 marker call.
10443 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
10444 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
10445 @end table
10446
10447 @smallexample
10448 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
10449 Cnt ID Enb Address What
10450 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
10451 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
10452 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
10453 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
10454 Data: str %s
10455 (@value{GDBP})
10456 @end smallexample
10457 @end table
10458
10459 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10460 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10461
10462 @table @code
10463 @kindex tstart
10464 @cindex start a new trace experiment
10465 @cindex collected data discarded
10466 @item tstart
10467 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
10468 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
10469 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
10470 experiment.
10471
10472 @kindex tstop
10473 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
10474 @item tstop
10475 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
10476 stops collecting data.
10477
10478 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
10479 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
10480 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
10481
10482 @kindex tstatus
10483 @cindex status of trace data collection
10484 @cindex trace experiment, status of
10485 @item tstatus
10486 This command displays the status of the current trace data
10487 collection.
10488 @end table
10489
10490 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
10491
10492 @smallexample
10493 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
10494 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10495 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
10496 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
10497 > while-stepping 11
10498 > collect $regs
10499 > end
10500 > end
10501 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10502 [time passes @dots{}]
10503 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
10504 @end smallexample
10505
10506 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
10507 @cindex disconnected tracing
10508 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
10509 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
10510 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
10511 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
10512 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
10513 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
10514 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
10515 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
10516
10517 @table @code
10518 @item set disconnected-tracing on
10519 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
10520 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
10521 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
10522 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
10523 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
10524 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
10525 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
10526
10527 @item show disconnected-tracing
10528 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
10529 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
10530
10531 @end table
10532
10533 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
10534 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
10535 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
10536 it will continue after reconnection.
10537
10538 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
10539 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
10540 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
10541 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
10542 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
10543 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
10544 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
10545 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
10546 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
10547 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
10548
10549 @cindex circular trace buffer
10550 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
10551 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
10552 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
10553 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
10554 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
10555 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
10556 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
10557 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
10558 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
10559 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
10560 the next run.
10561
10562 @table @code
10563 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
10564 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
10565 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
10566 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
10567 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
10568 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
10569 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
10570
10571 @item show circular-trace-buffer
10572 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
10573 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
10574 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
10575 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
10576 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
10577
10578 @end table
10579
10580 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
10581 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
10582
10583 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
10584 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
10585 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
10586 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
10587 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
10588 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
10589 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
10590 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
10591 mentioned here.
10592
10593 @itemize @bullet
10594
10595 @item
10596 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
10597 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
10598 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
10599 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
10600 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
10601 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
10602 cannot be collected either.
10603
10604 @item
10605 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
10606 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
10607 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
10608 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
10609 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
10610 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
10611 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
10612 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
10613 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
10614 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
10615
10616 @item
10617 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
10618 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
10619 in a misleading way.
10620
10621 @item
10622 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
10623 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
10624 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
10625 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
10626 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
10627 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
10628 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
10629 by @code{ptr}.
10630
10631 @item
10632 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
10633 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
10634 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
10635 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
10636 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
10637 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
10638 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
10639 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
10640 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
10641 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
10642 invalid address.
10643
10644 @item
10645 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
10646 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
10647 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
10648 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
10649 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
10650 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
10651 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
10652 it to zero.
10653
10654 @end itemize
10655
10656 @node Analyze Collected Data
10657 @section Using the Collected Data
10658
10659 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
10660 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
10661 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
10662 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
10663 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
10664 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
10665 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
10666 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
10667 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
10668 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
10669 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
10670 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
10671 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
10672 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
10673 the buffer will fail.
10674
10675 @menu
10676 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
10677 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
10678 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
10679 @end menu
10680
10681 @node tfind
10682 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
10683
10684 @kindex tfind
10685 @cindex select trace snapshot
10686 @cindex find trace snapshot
10687 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
10688 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
10689 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
10690 snapshot is selected.
10691
10692 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
10693
10694 @table @code
10695 @item tfind start
10696 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
10697 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
10698
10699 @item tfind none
10700 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
10701
10702 @item tfind end
10703 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
10704
10705 @item tfind
10706 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
10707
10708 @item tfind -
10709 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
10710 retracing earlier steps.
10711
10712 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
10713 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
10714 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
10715 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
10716 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
10717
10718 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
10719 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
10720 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
10721 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
10722 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
10723
10724 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10725 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
10726 addresses (exclusive).
10727
10728 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10729 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
10730 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
10731
10732 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
10733 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
10734 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
10735 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
10736 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
10737 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
10738 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
10739 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
10740 @end table
10741
10742 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
10743 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
10744 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
10745 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
10746 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
10747 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
10748 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
10749 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
10750 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
10751 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
10752 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
10753 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
10754 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
10755 tracepoint as the current one.
10756
10757 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
10758 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
10759 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
10760 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
10761 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
10762
10763 @smallexample
10764 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10765 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10766 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
10767 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
10768 > tfind
10769 > end
10770
10771 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
10772 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
10773 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
10774 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
10775 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
10776 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
10777 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
10778 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
10779 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
10780 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
10781 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
10782 @end smallexample
10783
10784 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
10785 the buffer:
10786
10787 @smallexample
10788 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10789 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10790 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
10791 > tfind line
10792 > end
10793
10794 Frame 0, X = 1
10795 Frame 7, X = 2
10796 Frame 13, X = 255
10797 @end smallexample
10798
10799 @node tdump
10800 @subsection @code{tdump}
10801 @kindex tdump
10802 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
10803 @cindex tracepoint data, display
10804
10805 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
10806 the current trace snapshot.
10807
10808 @smallexample
10809 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
10810 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10811 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
10812 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
10813 > end
10814
10815 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10816
10817 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
10818 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
10819 at gdb_test.c:444
10820 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
10821
10822 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
10823 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
10824 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
10825 d1 0x18 24
10826 d2 0x80 128
10827 d3 0x33 51
10828 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
10829 d5 0x22 34
10830 d6 0xe0 224
10831 d7 0x380035 3670069
10832 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
10833 a1 0x3000668 50333288
10834 a2 0x100 256
10835 a3 0x322000 3284992
10836 a4 0x3000698 50333336
10837 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
10838 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
10839 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
10840 ps 0x0 0
10841 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
10842 fpcontrol 0x0 0
10843 fpstatus 0x0 0
10844 fpiaddr 0x0 0
10845 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
10846 p1 = (void *) 0x11
10847 p2 = (void *) 0x22
10848 p3 = (void *) 0x33
10849 p4 = (void *) 0x44
10850 p5 = (void *) 0x55
10851 p6 = (void *) 0x66
10852 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
10853
10854 (@value{GDBP})
10855 @end smallexample
10856
10857 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
10858 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
10859 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
10860 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
10861
10862 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
10863 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
10864 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
10865 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
10866 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
10867 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
10868 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
10869 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
10870 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
10871 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
10872
10873 @node save tracepoints
10874 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
10875 @kindex save tracepoints
10876 @kindex save-tracepoints
10877 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
10878
10879 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
10880 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
10881 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
10882 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
10883 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
10884 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
10885
10886 @node Tracepoint Variables
10887 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
10888 @cindex tracepoint variables
10889 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
10890
10891 @table @code
10892 @vindex $trace_frame
10893 @item (int) $trace_frame
10894 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
10895 snapshot is selected.
10896
10897 @vindex $tracepoint
10898 @item (int) $tracepoint
10899 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
10900
10901 @vindex $trace_line
10902 @item (int) $trace_line
10903 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
10904
10905 @vindex $trace_file
10906 @item (char []) $trace_file
10907 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
10908
10909 @vindex $trace_func
10910 @item (char []) $trace_func
10911 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
10912 @end table
10913
10914 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
10915 use @code{output} instead.
10916
10917 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10918 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10919 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10920 which are managed by the target.
10921
10922 @smallexample
10923 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10924
10925 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10926 > output $trace_file
10927 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10928 > tfind
10929 > end
10930 @end smallexample
10931
10932 @node Trace Files
10933 @section Using Trace Files
10934 @cindex trace files
10935
10936 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
10937 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
10938 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
10939 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
10940 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
10941
10942 @table @code
10943
10944 @kindex tsave
10945 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
10946 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
10947 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
10948 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
10949 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
10950 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
10951 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
10952 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
10953 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
10954
10955 @kindex target tfile
10956 @kindex tfile
10957 @item target tfile @var{filename}
10958 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
10959 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
10960 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
10961 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
10962 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
10963 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
10964
10965 @end table
10966
10967 @node Overlays
10968 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10969 @cindex overlays
10970
10971 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10972 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10973 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10974 use overlays.
10975
10976 @menu
10977 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10978 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10979 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10980 mapped by asking the inferior.
10981 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10982 @end menu
10983
10984 @node How Overlays Work
10985 @section How Overlays Work
10986 @cindex mapped overlays
10987 @cindex unmapped overlays
10988 @cindex load address, overlay's
10989 @cindex mapped address
10990 @cindex overlay area
10991
10992 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10993 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10994 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10995 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10996 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10997
10998 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10999 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
11000 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
11001 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
11002 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
11003 largest overlay as well.
11004
11005 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
11006 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
11007 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
11008 there.
11009
11010 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
11011 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
11012 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
11013
11014 @smallexample
11015 @group
11016 Data Instruction Larger
11017 Address Space Address Space Address Space
11018 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
11019 | | | | | |
11020 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
11021 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
11022 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
11023 | and heap | | | | | |
11024 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
11025 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
11026 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
11027 | | | | | |
11028 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
11029 address | | | | | |
11030 | overlay | <-' | | |
11031 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
11032 | | <---. | | load address
11033 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
11034 | | | |
11035 +-----------+ | |
11036 +-----------+
11037 | |
11038 +-----------+
11039
11040 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
11041 @end group
11042 @end smallexample
11043
11044 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
11045 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
11046 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
11047 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
11048 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
11049 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
11050 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
11051 program and the overlay area.
11052
11053 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
11054 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
11055 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
11056 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
11057 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
11058 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
11059 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
11060
11061 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
11062 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
11063 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
11064
11065 @itemize @bullet
11066
11067 @item
11068 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
11069 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
11070 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
11071 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
11072
11073 @item
11074 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
11075 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
11076 your program's performance.
11077
11078 @item
11079 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
11080 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
11081 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
11082 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
11083 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
11084 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
11085 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
11086
11087 @item
11088 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
11089 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
11090 instruction and data spaces.
11091
11092 @end itemize
11093
11094 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
11095 improved in many ways:
11096
11097 @itemize @bullet
11098
11099 @item
11100 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
11101 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
11102 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
11103 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
11104 area in the usual way.
11105
11106 @item
11107 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
11108 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
11109
11110 @item
11111 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
11112 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
11113 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
11114 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
11115 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
11116 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
11117 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
11118
11119 @end itemize
11120
11121
11122 @node Overlay Commands
11123 @section Overlay Commands
11124
11125 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
11126 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
11127 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
11128 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
11129 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
11130 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
11131
11132 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
11133 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
11134
11135 @table @code
11136 @item overlay off
11137 @kindex overlay
11138 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
11139 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
11140 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
11141 overlay support is disabled.
11142
11143 @item overlay manual
11144 @cindex manual overlay debugging
11145 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11146 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
11147 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
11148 commands described below.
11149
11150 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
11151 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
11152 @cindex map an overlay
11153 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
11154 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
11155 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
11156 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
11157 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
11158 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
11159
11160 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
11161 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
11162 @cindex unmap an overlay
11163 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
11164 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
11165 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
11166 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
11167
11168 @item overlay auto
11169 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11170 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
11171 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
11172 Overlay Debugging}.
11173
11174 @item overlay load-target
11175 @itemx overlay load
11176 @cindex reloading the overlay table
11177 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
11178 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
11179 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
11180 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
11181 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
11182
11183 @item overlay list-overlays
11184 @itemx overlay list
11185 @cindex listing mapped overlays
11186 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
11187 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
11188
11189 @end table
11190
11191 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
11192 of the function the address falls in:
11193
11194 @smallexample
11195 (@value{GDBP}) print main
11196 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
11197 @end smallexample
11198 @noindent
11199 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
11200 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
11201 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
11202 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
11203
11204 @smallexample
11205 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11206 No sections are mapped.
11207 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11208 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
11209 @end smallexample
11210 @noindent
11211 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
11212 name normally:
11213
11214 @smallexample
11215 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11216 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
11217 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
11218 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11219 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
11220 @end smallexample
11221
11222 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
11223 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
11224 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
11225 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
11226 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
11227
11228 @itemize @bullet
11229 @item
11230 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
11231 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
11232 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
11233 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
11234 @item
11235 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
11236 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
11237 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
11238 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
11239 breakpoints properly.
11240 @end itemize
11241
11242
11243 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
11244 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
11245 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
11246
11247 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
11248 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
11249 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
11250 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
11251 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
11252 current state of the overlays.
11253
11254 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
11255 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
11256
11257 @table @asis
11258
11259 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
11260 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
11261
11262 @smallexample
11263 struct
11264 @{
11265 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
11266 unsigned long vma;
11267
11268 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
11269 unsigned long size;
11270
11271 /* The overlay's load address. */
11272 unsigned long lma;
11273
11274 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
11275 zero otherwise. */
11276 unsigned long mapped;
11277 @}
11278 @end smallexample
11279
11280 @item @code{_novlys}:
11281 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
11282 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
11283
11284 @end table
11285
11286 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
11287 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
11288 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
11289 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
11290 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
11291 currently mapped.
11292
11293 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
11294 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
11295 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
11296 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
11297 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
11298 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
11299 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
11300 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
11301 are not being executed.
11302
11303 @node Overlay Sample Program
11304 @section Overlay Sample Program
11305 @cindex overlay example program
11306
11307 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
11308 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
11309 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
11310 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
11311 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
11312 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
11313 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
11314
11315 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
11316 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
11317 suite. The program consists of the following files from
11318 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
11319
11320 @table @file
11321 @item overlays.c
11322 The main program file.
11323 @item ovlymgr.c
11324 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
11325 @item foo.c
11326 @itemx bar.c
11327 @itemx baz.c
11328 @itemx grbx.c
11329 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
11330 @item d10v.ld
11331 @itemx m32r.ld
11332 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
11333 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
11334 @end table
11335
11336 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
11337 cross-compiler like this:
11338
11339 @smallexample
11340 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
11341 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
11342 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
11343 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
11344 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
11345 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
11346 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
11347 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
11348 @end smallexample
11349
11350 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
11351 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
11352 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
11353
11354
11355 @node Languages
11356 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
11357 @cindex languages
11358
11359 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
11360 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
11361 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
11362 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
11363 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
11364 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
11365
11366 @cindex working language
11367 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
11368 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
11369 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
11370 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
11371 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
11372 language}.
11373
11374 @menu
11375 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
11376 * Show:: Displaying the language
11377 * Checks:: Type and range checks
11378 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
11379 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
11380 @end menu
11381
11382 @node Setting
11383 @section Switching Between Source Languages
11384
11385 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
11386 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
11387 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
11388 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
11389 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
11390 are printed, etc.
11391
11392 In addition to the working language, every source file that
11393 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
11394 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
11395 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
11396 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
11397 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
11398 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
11399 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
11400 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
11401 Displaying the Language}.
11402
11403 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
11404 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
11405 another language. In that case, make the
11406 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
11407 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
11408 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
11409
11410 @menu
11411 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
11412 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
11413 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
11414 @end menu
11415
11416 @node Filenames
11417 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
11418
11419 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
11420 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
11421
11422 @table @file
11423 @item .ada
11424 @itemx .ads
11425 @itemx .adb
11426 @itemx .a
11427 Ada source file.
11428
11429 @item .c
11430 C source file
11431
11432 @item .C
11433 @itemx .cc
11434 @itemx .cp
11435 @itemx .cpp
11436 @itemx .cxx
11437 @itemx .c++
11438 C@t{++} source file
11439
11440 @item .d
11441 D source file
11442
11443 @item .m
11444 Objective-C source file
11445
11446 @item .f
11447 @itemx .F
11448 Fortran source file
11449
11450 @item .mod
11451 Modula-2 source file
11452
11453 @item .s
11454 @itemx .S
11455 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
11456 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
11457 @end table
11458
11459 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
11460 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
11461
11462 @node Manually
11463 @subsection Setting the Working Language
11464
11465 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
11466 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
11467 your program.
11468
11469 @kindex set language
11470 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
11471 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
11472 a language, such as
11473 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
11474 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
11475
11476 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
11477 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
11478 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
11479 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
11480 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
11481 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
11482 command such as:
11483
11484 @smallexample
11485 print a = b + c
11486 @end smallexample
11487
11488 @noindent
11489 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
11490 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
11491 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
11492 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
11493
11494 @node Automatically
11495 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
11496
11497 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
11498 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
11499 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
11500 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
11501 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
11502 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
11503 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
11504 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
11505 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
11506
11507 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
11508 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
11509 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
11510 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
11511 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
11512
11513 @node Show
11514 @section Displaying the Language
11515
11516 The following commands help you find out which language is the
11517 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
11518
11519 @table @code
11520 @item show language
11521 @kindex show language
11522 Display the current working language. This is the
11523 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
11524 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
11525
11526 @item info frame
11527 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
11528 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
11529 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
11530 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
11531 information listed here.
11532
11533 @item info source
11534 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
11535 Display the source language of this source file.
11536 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
11537 information listed here.
11538 @end table
11539
11540 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
11541 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
11542 with a language explicitly:
11543
11544 @table @code
11545 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
11546 @kindex set extension-language
11547 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
11548 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
11549
11550 @item info extensions
11551 @kindex info extensions
11552 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
11553 @end table
11554
11555 @node Checks
11556 @section Type and Range Checking
11557
11558 @quotation
11559 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
11560 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
11561 section documents the intended facilities.
11562 @end quotation
11563 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
11564
11565 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
11566 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
11567 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
11568 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
11569 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
11570 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
11571 errors when your program is running.
11572
11573 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
11574 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
11575 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
11576 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
11577 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
11578 automatically based on your program's source language.
11579 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
11580 settings of supported languages.
11581
11582 @menu
11583 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
11584 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
11585 @end menu
11586
11587 @cindex type checking
11588 @cindex checks, type
11589 @node Type Checking
11590 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
11591
11592 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
11593 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
11594 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
11595 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
11596
11597 @smallexample
11598 1 + 2 @result{} 3
11599 @exdent but
11600 @error{} 1 + 2.3
11601 @end smallexample
11602
11603 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
11604 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
11605
11606 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
11607 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
11608 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
11609 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
11610 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
11611 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
11612 also issues a warning.
11613
11614 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
11615 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
11616 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
11617 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
11618 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
11619 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
11620
11621 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
11622 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
11623 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
11624 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
11625 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
11626 details on specific languages.
11627
11628 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
11629
11630 @kindex set check type
11631 @kindex show check type
11632 @table @code
11633 @item set check type auto
11634 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
11635 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11636 each language.
11637
11638 @item set check type on
11639 @itemx set check type off
11640 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11641 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
11642 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
11643 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
11644 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
11645
11646 @item set check type warn
11647 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
11648 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
11649 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
11650 numbers and structures.
11651
11652 @item show type
11653 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
11654 is setting it automatically.
11655 @end table
11656
11657 @cindex range checking
11658 @cindex checks, range
11659 @node Range Checking
11660 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
11661
11662 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
11663 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
11664 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
11665 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
11666 not exceed the bounds of the array.
11667
11668 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
11669 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
11670 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
11671 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
11672
11673 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
11674 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
11675 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
11676 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
11677 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
11678 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
11679
11680 @smallexample
11681 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
11682 @end smallexample
11683
11684 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
11685 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
11686 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
11687
11688 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
11689
11690 @kindex set check range
11691 @kindex show check range
11692 @table @code
11693 @item set check range auto
11694 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
11695 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11696 each language.
11697
11698 @item set check range on
11699 @itemx set check range off
11700 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11701 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
11702 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
11703 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
11704
11705 @item set check range warn
11706 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
11707 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
11708 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
11709 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
11710 systems).
11711
11712 @item show range
11713 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
11714 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
11715 @end table
11716
11717 @node Supported Languages
11718 @section Supported Languages
11719
11720 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, OpenCL C, Pascal,
11721 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
11722 @c This is false ...
11723 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
11724 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
11725 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
11726 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
11727 language.
11728
11729 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
11730 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
11731 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
11732 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
11733 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
11734 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
11735 language reference or tutorial.
11736
11737 @menu
11738 * C:: C and C@t{++}
11739 * D:: D
11740 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
11741 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
11742 * Fortran:: Fortran
11743 * Pascal:: Pascal
11744 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
11745 * Ada:: Ada
11746 @end menu
11747
11748 @node C
11749 @subsection C and C@t{++}
11750
11751 @cindex C and C@t{++}
11752 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
11753
11754 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
11755 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
11756 together.
11757
11758 @cindex C@t{++}
11759 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
11760 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
11761 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
11762 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
11763 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
11764 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
11765 compiler (@code{aCC}).
11766
11767 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
11768 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
11769 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
11770 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
11771 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
11772 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
11773
11774 @menu
11775 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
11776 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
11777 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
11778 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
11779 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
11780 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
11781 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
11782 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
11783 @end menu
11784
11785 @node C Operators
11786 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
11787
11788 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
11789
11790 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11791 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11792 often defined on groups of types.
11793
11794 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
11795
11796 @itemize @bullet
11797
11798 @item
11799 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
11800 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
11801
11802 @item
11803 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
11804 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
11805
11806 @item
11807 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
11808
11809 @item
11810 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
11811
11812 @end itemize
11813
11814 @noindent
11815 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
11816 in order of increasing precedence:
11817
11818 @table @code
11819 @item ,
11820 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
11821 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
11822 expression being the last expression evaluated.
11823
11824 @item =
11825 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
11826 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
11827
11828 @item @var{op}=
11829 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
11830 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
11831 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
11832 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
11833 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
11834
11835 @item ?:
11836 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
11837 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
11838 integral type.
11839
11840 @item ||
11841 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11842
11843 @item &&
11844 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11845
11846 @item |
11847 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11848
11849 @item ^
11850 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11851
11852 @item &
11853 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11854
11855 @item ==@r{, }!=
11856 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
11857 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
11858
11859 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
11860 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
11861 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
11862 and non-zero for true.
11863
11864 @item <<@r{, }>>
11865 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
11866
11867 @item @@
11868 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11869
11870 @item +@r{, }-
11871 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
11872 pointer types.
11873
11874 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
11875 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
11876 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
11877 integral types.
11878
11879 @item ++@r{, }--
11880 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
11881 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
11882 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
11883 operation takes place.
11884
11885 @item *
11886 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
11887 @code{++}.
11888
11889 @item &
11890 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
11891
11892 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
11893 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
11894 to examine the address
11895 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
11896 stored.
11897
11898 @item -
11899 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
11900 precedence as @code{++}.
11901
11902 @item !
11903 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11904 @code{++}.
11905
11906 @item ~
11907 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11908 @code{++}.
11909
11910
11911 @item .@r{, }->
11912 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
11913 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
11914 pointer based on the stored type information.
11915 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
11916
11917 @item .*@r{, }->*
11918 Dereferences of pointers to members.
11919
11920 @item []
11921 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
11922 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11923
11924 @item ()
11925 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11926
11927 @item ::
11928 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
11929 and @code{class} types.
11930
11931 @item ::
11932 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
11933 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
11934 above.
11935 @end table
11936
11937 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
11938 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
11939 predefined meaning.
11940
11941 @node C Constants
11942 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
11943
11944 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
11945
11946 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
11947 following ways:
11948
11949 @itemize @bullet
11950 @item
11951 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
11952 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
11953 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
11954 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
11955 @code{long} value.
11956
11957 @item
11958 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11959 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11960 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11961 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11962 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11963 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11964 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11965 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11966 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11967 constant.
11968
11969 @item
11970 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11971 integral equivalents.
11972
11973 @item
11974 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11975 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11976 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11977 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11978 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11979 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11980 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11981 @samp{\n} for newline.
11982
11983 @item
11984 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11985 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11986 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11987 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11988 characters.
11989
11990 @item
11991 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11992 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11993
11994 @item
11995 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11996 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11997 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11998 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11999 @end itemize
12000
12001 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
12002 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
12003
12004 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
12005 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
12006
12007 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
12008 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
12009 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
12010 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
12011 @quotation
12012 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
12013 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
12014 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
12015 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
12016 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
12017 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
12018 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
12019 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
12020 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
12021 C@t{++} code.
12022 @end quotation
12023
12024 @enumerate
12025
12026 @cindex member functions
12027 @item
12028 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
12029
12030 @smallexample
12031 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
12032 @end smallexample
12033
12034 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
12035 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
12036 @item
12037 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
12038 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
12039 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
12040 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
12041
12042 @cindex call overloaded functions
12043 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
12044 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
12045 @item
12046 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
12047 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
12048 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
12049 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
12050 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
12051 default arguments.
12052
12053 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
12054 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
12055 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
12056 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
12057 number of function arguments.
12058
12059 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
12060 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
12061 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
12062
12063 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
12064 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
12065 @smallexample
12066 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
12067 @end smallexample
12068
12069 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
12070 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
12071
12072 @cindex reference declarations
12073 @item
12074 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
12075 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
12076 dereferenced.
12077
12078 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
12079 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
12080 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
12081 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
12082 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
12083
12084 @item
12085 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
12086 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
12087 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
12088 necessary, for example in an expression like
12089 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
12090 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
12091 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
12092 @end enumerate
12093
12094 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
12095 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
12096 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
12097 invoking user-defined operators.
12098
12099 @node C Defaults
12100 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
12101
12102 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
12103
12104 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
12105 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
12106 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12107 selects the working language.
12108
12109 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
12110 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
12111 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
12112 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
12113 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
12114 for further details.
12115
12116 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
12117 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
12118 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
12119
12120 @node C Checks
12121 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
12122
12123 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
12124
12125 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
12126 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
12127 considers two variables type equivalent if:
12128
12129 @itemize @bullet
12130 @item
12131 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
12132 enumerated tag.
12133
12134 @item
12135 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
12136 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
12137
12138 @ignore
12139 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
12140 @c FIXME--beers?
12141 @item
12142 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
12143 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
12144 compilers.)
12145 @end ignore
12146 @end itemize
12147
12148 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
12149 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
12150 that is not itself an array.
12151
12152 @node Debugging C
12153 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
12154
12155 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
12156 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
12157 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
12158 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
12159
12160 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
12161 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
12162 ,Expressions}.
12163
12164 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
12165 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
12166
12167 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
12168
12169 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
12170 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
12171
12172 @table @code
12173 @cindex break in overloaded functions
12174 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
12175 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
12176 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
12177 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
12178 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
12179
12180 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
12181 @item rbreak @var{regex}
12182 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
12183 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
12184 classes.
12185 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
12186
12187 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
12188 @item catch throw
12189 @itemx catch catch
12190 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
12191 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
12192
12193 @cindex inheritance
12194 @item ptype @var{typename}
12195 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
12196 @var{typename}.
12197 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
12198
12199 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
12200 @item set print demangle
12201 @itemx show print demangle
12202 @itemx set print asm-demangle
12203 @itemx show print asm-demangle
12204 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
12205 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
12206 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12207
12208 @item set print object
12209 @itemx show print object
12210 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
12211 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12212
12213 @item set print vtbl
12214 @itemx show print vtbl
12215 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
12216 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12217 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
12218 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
12219
12220 @kindex set overload-resolution
12221 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
12222 @item set overload-resolution on
12223 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
12224 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
12225 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
12226 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
12227 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
12228 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
12229
12230 @item set overload-resolution off
12231 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
12232 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12233 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
12234 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
12235 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12236 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
12237 argument types.
12238
12239 @kindex show overload-resolution
12240 @item show overload-resolution
12241 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
12242
12243 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
12244 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
12245 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
12246 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
12247 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
12248 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
12249 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
12250 @end table
12251
12252 @node Decimal Floating Point
12253 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
12254 @cindex decimal floating point format
12255
12256 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
12257 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
12258 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
12259 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
12260
12261 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
12262 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
12263 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
12264 target.
12265
12266 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
12267 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
12268 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
12269
12270 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
12271 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
12272 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
12273
12274 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
12275 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
12276 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
12277
12278 @node D
12279 @subsection D
12280
12281 @cindex D
12282 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
12283 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
12284 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
12285
12286 @node Objective-C
12287 @subsection Objective-C
12288
12289 @cindex Objective-C
12290 This section provides information about some commands and command
12291 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
12292 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
12293 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
12294
12295 @menu
12296 * Method Names in Commands::
12297 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
12298 @end menu
12299
12300 @node Method Names in Commands
12301 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
12302
12303 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
12304 names as line specifications:
12305
12306 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
12307 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
12308 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
12309 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
12310 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
12311 @itemize
12312 @item @code{clear}
12313 @item @code{break}
12314 @item @code{info line}
12315 @item @code{jump}
12316 @item @code{list}
12317 @end itemize
12318
12319 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
12320
12321 @smallexample
12322 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
12323 @end smallexample
12324
12325 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
12326 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
12327 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
12328 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
12329 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
12330 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
12331 debugged, enter:
12332
12333 @smallexample
12334 break -[Fruit create]
12335 @end smallexample
12336
12337 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
12338 enter:
12339
12340 @smallexample
12341 list +[NSText initialize]
12342 @end smallexample
12343
12344 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
12345 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
12346 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
12347 is also possible to specify just a method name:
12348
12349 @smallexample
12350 break create
12351 @end smallexample
12352
12353 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
12354 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
12355 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
12356 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
12357 none apply.
12358
12359 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
12360 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
12361
12362 @smallexample
12363 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
12364 @end smallexample
12365
12366 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
12367 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
12368 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
12369 @kindex print-object
12370 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
12371
12372 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
12373
12374 @smallexample
12375 print -[@var{object} hash]
12376 @end smallexample
12377
12378 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
12379 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
12380 @noindent
12381 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
12382 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
12383 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
12384 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
12385 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
12386 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
12387
12388 @node OpenCL C
12389 @subsection OpenCL C
12390
12391 @cindex OpenCL C
12392 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
12393
12394 @menu
12395 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
12396 * OpenCL C Expressions::
12397 * OpenCL C Operators::
12398 @end menu
12399
12400 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
12401 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
12402
12403 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
12404 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
12405 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
12406 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
12407 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
12408
12409 @node OpenCL C Expressions
12410 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
12411
12412 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
12413 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
12414 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
12415 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
12416
12417 @node OpenCL C Operators
12418 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
12419
12420 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
12421 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
12422 vector data types.
12423
12424 @node Fortran
12425 @subsection Fortran
12426 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
12427
12428 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
12429 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
12430
12431 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
12432 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
12433 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
12434 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
12435 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
12436 underscore.
12437
12438 @menu
12439 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
12440 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
12441 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
12442 @end menu
12443
12444 @node Fortran Operators
12445 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
12446
12447 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
12448
12449 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12450 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
12451 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
12452
12453 @table @code
12454 @item **
12455 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
12456 of the second one.
12457
12458 @item :
12459 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
12460 represent a section of array.
12461
12462 @item %
12463 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
12464 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
12465 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
12466 union type.
12467 @end table
12468
12469 @node Fortran Defaults
12470 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
12471
12472 @cindex Fortran Defaults
12473
12474 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
12475 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
12476 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
12477 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
12478
12479 @node Special Fortran Commands
12480 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
12481
12482 @cindex Special Fortran commands
12483
12484 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
12485 such as displaying common blocks.
12486
12487 @table @code
12488 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
12489 @kindex info common
12490 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
12491 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
12492 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
12493 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
12494 printed.
12495 @end table
12496
12497 @node Pascal
12498 @subsection Pascal
12499
12500 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
12501 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
12502 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
12503 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
12504 syntax.
12505
12506 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
12507 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
12508 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
12509
12510 @node Modula-2
12511 @subsection Modula-2
12512
12513 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
12514
12515 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
12516 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
12517 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
12518 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12519 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
12520 table.
12521
12522 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
12523 @menu
12524 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
12525 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
12526 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
12527 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
12528 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
12529 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
12530 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
12531 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12532 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12533 @end menu
12534
12535 @node M2 Operators
12536 @subsubsection Operators
12537 @cindex Modula-2 operators
12538
12539 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12540 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12541 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
12542 following definitions hold:
12543
12544 @itemize @bullet
12545
12546 @item
12547 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
12548 their subranges.
12549
12550 @item
12551 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
12552
12553 @item
12554 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
12555
12556 @item
12557 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
12558 @var{type}}.
12559
12560 @item
12561 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
12562
12563 @item
12564 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
12565
12566 @item
12567 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
12568 @end itemize
12569
12570 @noindent
12571 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
12572 increasing precedence:
12573
12574 @table @code
12575 @item ,
12576 Function argument or array index separator.
12577
12578 @item :=
12579 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
12580 @var{value}.
12581
12582 @item <@r{, }>
12583 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
12584 types.
12585
12586 @item <=@r{, }>=
12587 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
12588 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
12589 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
12590
12591 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
12592 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
12593 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
12594 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
12595 comment character.
12596
12597 @item IN
12598 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
12599 Same precedence as @code{<}.
12600
12601 @item OR
12602 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12603
12604 @item AND@r{, }&
12605 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12606
12607 @item @@
12608 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12609
12610 @item +@r{, }-
12611 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
12612 and difference on set types.
12613
12614 @item *
12615 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
12616 on set types.
12617
12618 @item /
12619 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
12620 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
12621
12622 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
12623 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
12624 precedence as @code{*}.
12625
12626 @item -
12627 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
12628
12629 @item ^
12630 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
12631
12632 @item NOT
12633 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
12634 @code{^}.
12635
12636 @item .
12637 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
12638 precedence as @code{^}.
12639
12640 @item []
12641 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
12642
12643 @item ()
12644 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
12645 as @code{^}.
12646
12647 @item ::@r{, }.
12648 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
12649 @end table
12650
12651 @quotation
12652 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
12653 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
12654 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
12655 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
12656 @end quotation
12657
12658
12659 @node Built-In Func/Proc
12660 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
12661 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
12662
12663 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
12664 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
12665
12666 @table @var
12667
12668 @item a
12669 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
12670
12671 @item c
12672 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
12673
12674 @item i
12675 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
12676
12677 @item m
12678 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
12679 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
12680 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
12681
12682 @item n
12683 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
12684
12685 @item r
12686 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
12687
12688 @item t
12689 represents a type.
12690
12691 @item v
12692 represents a variable.
12693
12694 @item x
12695 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
12696 explanation of the function for details.
12697 @end table
12698
12699 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
12700
12701 @table @code
12702 @item ABS(@var{n})
12703 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
12704
12705 @item CAP(@var{c})
12706 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
12707 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
12708
12709 @item CHR(@var{i})
12710 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12711
12712 @item DEC(@var{v})
12713 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12714
12715 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
12716 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12717 new value.
12718
12719 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12720 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
12721 set.
12722
12723 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
12724 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
12725
12726 @item HIGH(@var{a})
12727 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
12728
12729 @item INC(@var{v})
12730 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12731
12732 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
12733 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12734 new value.
12735
12736 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12737 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
12738 there. Returns the new set.
12739
12740 @item MAX(@var{t})
12741 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
12742
12743 @item MIN(@var{t})
12744 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
12745
12746 @item ODD(@var{i})
12747 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
12748
12749 @item ORD(@var{x})
12750 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
12751 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
12752 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
12753 integral, character and enumerated types.
12754
12755 @item SIZE(@var{x})
12756 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12757
12758 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
12759 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
12760
12761 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
12762 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12763
12764 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
12765 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12766 @end table
12767
12768 @quotation
12769 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
12770 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
12771 an error.
12772 @end quotation
12773
12774 @cindex Modula-2 constants
12775 @node M2 Constants
12776 @subsubsection Constants
12777
12778 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
12779 ways:
12780
12781 @itemize @bullet
12782
12783 @item
12784 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
12785 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
12786 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
12787 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
12788
12789 @item
12790 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
12791 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
12792 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
12793 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
12794 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
12795 digits.
12796
12797 @item
12798 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
12799 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
12800 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
12801 followed by a @samp{C}.
12802
12803 @item
12804 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
12805 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
12806 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
12807 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
12808 sequences.
12809
12810 @item
12811 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
12812
12813 @item
12814 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
12815 @code{FALSE}.
12816
12817 @item
12818 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
12819
12820 @item
12821 Set constants are not yet supported.
12822 @end itemize
12823
12824 @node M2 Types
12825 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
12826 @cindex Modula-2 types
12827
12828 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
12829 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
12830 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
12831 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
12832 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
12833 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
12834
12835 The first example contains the following section of code:
12836
12837 @smallexample
12838 VAR
12839 s: SET OF CHAR ;
12840 r: [20..40] ;
12841 @end smallexample
12842
12843 @noindent
12844 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
12845 @code{r} and @code{s}.
12846
12847 @smallexample
12848 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12849 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
12850 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12851 SET OF CHAR
12852 (@value{GDBP}) print r
12853 21
12854 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
12855 [20..40]
12856 @end smallexample
12857
12858 @noindent
12859 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
12860
12861 @smallexample
12862 VAR
12863 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
12864 @end smallexample
12865
12866 @noindent
12867 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
12868
12869 @smallexample
12870 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12871 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
12872 @end smallexample
12873
12874 @noindent
12875 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
12876 expressions using the debugger.
12877
12878 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
12879 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
12880
12881 @smallexample
12882 VAR
12883 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
12884 @end smallexample
12885
12886 @smallexample
12887 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12888 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
12889 @end smallexample
12890
12891 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
12892 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
12893 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
12894 above.
12895
12896 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
12897
12898 @smallexample
12899 TYPE
12900 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
12901 t = [blue..yellow] ;
12902 VAR
12903 s: t ;
12904 BEGIN
12905 s := blue ;
12906 @end smallexample
12907
12908 @noindent
12909 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
12910 and value of a variable.
12911
12912 @smallexample
12913 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12914 $1 = blue
12915 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
12916 type = [blue..yellow]
12917 @end smallexample
12918
12919 @noindent
12920 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
12921 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
12922 their @code{C} counterparts.
12923
12924 @smallexample
12925 VAR
12926 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12927 BEGIN
12928 s[1] := 1 ;
12929 @end smallexample
12930
12931 @smallexample
12932 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12933 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
12934 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12935 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12936 @end smallexample
12937
12938 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
12939 pointer types as shown in this example:
12940
12941 @smallexample
12942 VAR
12943 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12944 BEGIN
12945 NEW(s) ;
12946 s^[1] := 1 ;
12947 @end smallexample
12948
12949 @noindent
12950 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
12951
12952 @smallexample
12953 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12954 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12955 @end smallexample
12956
12957 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
12958 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
12959 types:
12960
12961 @smallexample
12962 TYPE
12963 foo = RECORD
12964 f1: CARDINAL ;
12965 f2: CHAR ;
12966 f3: myarray ;
12967 END ;
12968
12969 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
12970 myrange = [-2..2] ;
12971 VAR
12972 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
12973 @end smallexample
12974
12975 @noindent
12976 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
12977 below.
12978
12979 @smallexample
12980 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12981 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
12982 f1 : CARDINAL;
12983 f2 : CHAR;
12984 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
12985 END
12986 @end smallexample
12987
12988 @node M2 Defaults
12989 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
12990 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
12991
12992 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
12993 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
12994 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12995 selected the working language.
12996
12997 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
12998 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
12999 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
13000 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
13001
13002 @node Deviations
13003 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
13004 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
13005
13006 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
13007 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
13008
13009 @itemize @bullet
13010 @item
13011 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
13012 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
13013 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
13014 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
13015 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
13016 returned a pointer.)
13017
13018 @item
13019 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
13020 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
13021 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
13022 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
13023
13024 @item
13025 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
13026 argument.
13027
13028 @item
13029 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
13030 @end itemize
13031
13032 @node M2 Checks
13033 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
13034 @cindex Modula-2 checks
13035
13036 @quotation
13037 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
13038 range checking.
13039 @end quotation
13040 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
13041
13042 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
13043
13044 @itemize @bullet
13045 @item
13046 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
13047 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
13048
13049 @item
13050 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
13051 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
13052 @end itemize
13053
13054 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
13055 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
13056
13057 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
13058 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
13059
13060 @node M2 Scope
13061 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
13062 @cindex scope
13063 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
13064 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
13065 @ifinfo
13066 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
13067 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
13068 @end ifinfo
13069 @ifnotinfo
13070 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
13071 @end ifnotinfo
13072
13073 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
13074 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
13075 similar syntax:
13076
13077 @smallexample
13078
13079 @var{module} . @var{id}
13080 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
13081 @end smallexample
13082
13083 @noindent
13084 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
13085 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
13086 identifier within your program, except another module.
13087
13088 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
13089 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
13090 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
13091 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
13092
13093 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
13094 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
13095 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
13096 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
13097 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
13098 @var{module}.
13099
13100 @node GDB/M2
13101 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13102
13103 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
13104 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
13105 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
13106 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
13107 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
13108 analogue in Modula-2.
13109
13110 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
13111 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
13112 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
13113 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
13114 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
13115 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
13116
13117 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
13118 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
13119 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
13120
13121 @node Ada
13122 @subsection Ada
13123 @cindex Ada
13124
13125 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
13126 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
13127 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
13128 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13129 to be difficult.
13130
13131
13132 @cindex expressions in Ada
13133 @menu
13134 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
13135 and semantics supported by Ada mode
13136 in @value{GDBN}.
13137 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
13138 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
13139 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
13140 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
13141 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13142 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
13143 Profile
13144 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
13145 @end menu
13146
13147 @node Ada Mode Intro
13148 @subsubsection Introduction
13149 @cindex Ada mode, general
13150
13151 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
13152 syntax, with some extensions.
13153 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
13154
13155 @itemize @bullet
13156 @item
13157 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
13158 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
13159 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
13160 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
13161
13162 @item
13163 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
13164 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13165
13166 @item
13167 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13168 @end itemize
13169
13170 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
13171 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
13172 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
13173 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
13174 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
13175
13176 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
13177 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
13178 was translated from an Ada source file.
13179
13180 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
13181 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
13182 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
13183 middle (to allow based literals).
13184
13185 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
13186 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
13187 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
13188 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
13189 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
13190 functions to procedures elsewhere.
13191
13192 @node Omissions from Ada
13193 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
13194 @cindex Ada, omissions from
13195
13196 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
13197
13198 @itemize @bullet
13199 @item
13200 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
13201
13202 @itemize @minus
13203 @item
13204 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
13205 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
13206
13207 @item
13208 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
13209
13210 @item
13211 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
13212
13213 @item
13214 @t{'Tag}.
13215
13216 @item
13217 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
13218 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
13219
13220 @item
13221 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
13222 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
13223
13224 @item
13225 @t{'Address}.
13226 @end itemize
13227
13228 @item
13229 The names in
13230 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
13231 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
13232 not currently available.
13233
13234 @item
13235 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
13236 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
13237 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
13238 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
13239 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
13240 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
13241 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
13242 indeterminate values.
13243
13244 @item
13245 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
13246 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
13247 are not implemented.
13248
13249 @item
13250 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
13251 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
13252 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
13253 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
13254 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
13255
13256 @smallexample
13257 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
13258 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
13259 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
13260 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
13261 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
13262 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
13263 @end smallexample
13264
13265 Changing a
13266 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
13267 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
13268 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
13269 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
13270 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
13271 declared to have a type such as:
13272
13273 @smallexample
13274 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
13275 Id : Integer;
13276 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
13277 end record;
13278 @end smallexample
13279
13280 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
13281 assignments:
13282
13283 @smallexample
13284 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
13285 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
13286 @end smallexample
13287
13288 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
13289 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
13290 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
13291 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
13292 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
13293 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
13294 redundant component associations, although which component values are
13295 assigned in such cases is not defined.
13296
13297 @item
13298 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
13299
13300 @item
13301 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
13302 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
13303 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
13304 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
13305 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
13306 the proper resolution.
13307
13308 @item
13309 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
13310
13311 @item
13312 Entry calls are not implemented.
13313
13314 @item
13315 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
13316 formats are not supported.
13317
13318 @item
13319 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
13320
13321 @item
13322 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
13323 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
13324 context.
13325 Should your program
13326 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
13327 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
13328 @end itemize
13329
13330 @node Additions to Ada
13331 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
13332 @cindex Ada, deviations from
13333
13334 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
13335 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
13336
13337 @itemize @bullet
13338 @item
13339 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
13340 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
13341 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
13342 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
13343 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
13344 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
13345 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
13346 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
13347
13348 @item
13349 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
13350 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
13351 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
13352
13353 @item
13354 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
13355 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
13356
13357 @item
13358 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
13359 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
13360 @end itemize
13361
13362 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
13363 additions specific to Ada:
13364
13365 @itemize @bullet
13366 @item
13367 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
13368 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
13369
13370 @smallexample
13371 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
13372 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
13373 @end smallexample
13374
13375 @item
13376 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
13377 the value of its right-hand operand.
13378 This allows, for example,
13379 complex conditional breaks:
13380
13381 @smallexample
13382 (@value{GDBP}) break f
13383 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
13384 @end smallexample
13385
13386 @item
13387 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
13388 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
13389 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
13390 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
13391 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
13392 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
13393 in strings. For example,
13394 @smallexample
13395 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
13396 @end smallexample
13397 @noindent
13398 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
13399 after each period.
13400
13401 @item
13402 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
13403 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
13404 to write
13405
13406 @smallexample
13407 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
13408 @end smallexample
13409
13410 @item
13411 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
13412 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
13413 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
13414 of 3 might print as
13415
13416 @smallexample
13417 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
13418 @end smallexample
13419
13420 @noindent
13421 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
13422 clause.
13423
13424 @item
13425 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
13426 multi-character subsequence of
13427 their names (an exact match gets preference).
13428 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
13429 in place of @t{a'length}.
13430
13431 @item
13432 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
13433 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
13434 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
13435 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
13436 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
13437 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
13438 For example,
13439 @smallexample
13440 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
13441 @end smallexample
13442
13443 @item
13444 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
13445 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
13446 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
13447 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
13448 object.
13449
13450 @end itemize
13451
13452 @node Stopping Before Main Program
13453 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
13454
13455 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
13456 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
13457 before reaching the main procedure.
13458 As defined in the Ada Reference
13459 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
13460 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
13461 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
13462 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
13463
13464 @node Ada Tasks
13465 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
13466 @cindex Ada, tasking
13467
13468 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
13469 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
13470
13471 @table @code
13472 @kindex info tasks
13473 @item info tasks
13474 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
13475
13476
13477 @smallexample
13478 @iftex
13479 @leftskip=0.5cm
13480 @end iftex
13481 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13482 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13483 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13484 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
13485 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
13486 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
13487
13488 @end smallexample
13489
13490 @noindent
13491 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
13492 task currently being inspected.
13493
13494 @table @asis
13495 @item ID
13496 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
13497
13498 @item TID
13499 The Ada task ID.
13500
13501 @item P-ID
13502 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
13503
13504 @item Pri
13505 The base priority of the task.
13506
13507 @item State
13508 Current state of the task.
13509
13510 @table @code
13511 @item Unactivated
13512 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
13513 executing.
13514
13515 @item Runnable
13516 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
13517 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
13518
13519 @item Terminated
13520 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
13521 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
13522 terminated themselves.
13523
13524 @item Child Activation Wait
13525 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
13526
13527 @item Accept Statement
13528 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
13529
13530 @item Waiting on entry call
13531 The task is waiting on an entry call.
13532
13533 @item Async Select Wait
13534 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
13535 select statement.
13536
13537 @item Delay Sleep
13538 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
13539 alternative open.
13540
13541 @item Child Termination Wait
13542 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
13543 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
13544 waiting on a terminate Phase.
13545
13546 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
13547 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
13548 finish terminating.
13549
13550 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
13551 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
13552 @end table
13553
13554 @item Name
13555 Name of the task in the program.
13556
13557 @end table
13558
13559 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
13560 @item info task @var{taskno}
13561 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
13562 the following example:
13563 @smallexample
13564 @iftex
13565 @leftskip=0.5cm
13566 @end iftex
13567 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13568 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13569 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13570 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
13571 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
13572 Ada Task: 0x807c468
13573 Name: task_1
13574 Thread: 0x807f378
13575 Parent: 1 (main_task)
13576 Base Priority: 15
13577 State: Runnable
13578 @end smallexample
13579
13580 @item task
13581 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
13582 @cindex current Ada task ID
13583 This command prints the ID of the current task.
13584
13585 @smallexample
13586 @iftex
13587 @leftskip=0.5cm
13588 @end iftex
13589 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13590 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13591 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13592 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13593 (@value{GDBP}) task
13594 [Current task is 2]
13595 @end smallexample
13596
13597 @item task @var{taskno}
13598 @cindex Ada task switching
13599 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
13600 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
13601 from the current task to the given task.
13602
13603 @smallexample
13604 @iftex
13605 @leftskip=0.5cm
13606 @end iftex
13607 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13608 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13609 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13610 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13611 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
13612 [Switching to task 1]
13613 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13614 (@value{GDBP}) bt
13615 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13616 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
13617 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
13618 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
13619 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
13620 @end smallexample
13621
13622 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
13623 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
13624 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
13625 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
13626 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
13627 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
13628 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
13629 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
13630 in @ref{Specify Location}.
13631
13632 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
13633 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
13634 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
13635 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
13636 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
13637
13638 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
13639 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
13640 program.
13641
13642 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
13643 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
13644 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
13645
13646 For example,
13647
13648 @smallexample
13649 @iftex
13650 @leftskip=0.5cm
13651 @end iftex
13652 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13653 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13654 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13655 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
13656 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13657 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
13658 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
13659 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
13660 (@value{GDBP}) cont
13661 Continuing.
13662 task # 1 running
13663 task # 2 running
13664
13665 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
13666 15 flush;
13667 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13668 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13669 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13670 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
13671 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13672 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
13673 @end smallexample
13674 @end table
13675
13676 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
13677 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13678 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
13679
13680 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
13681 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
13682 the platform being used.
13683 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
13684 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
13685 as usual.
13686
13687 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
13688 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
13689 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
13690 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
13691 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
13692 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
13693
13694 @node Ravenscar Profile
13695 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
13696 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
13697
13698 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
13699 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
13700 requirements.
13701
13702 @table @code
13703 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
13704 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
13705 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
13706 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13707 Profile. This is the default.
13708
13709 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
13710 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
13711 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13712 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
13713 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
13714 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
13715 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
13716
13717 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
13718 @item show ravenscar task-switching
13719 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
13720 using the Ravenscar Profile.
13721
13722 @end table
13723
13724 @node Ada Glitches
13725 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
13726 @cindex Ada, problems
13727
13728 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
13729 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
13730 @value{GDBN},
13731 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
13732 and the GNU Ada compiler.
13733
13734 @itemize @bullet
13735 @item
13736 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
13737 storage are invisible to the debugger.
13738
13739 @item
13740 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
13741 argument lists are treated as positional).
13742
13743 @item
13744 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
13745
13746 @item
13747 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
13748 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
13749 the host machine.
13750
13751 @item
13752 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
13753 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
13754 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
13755 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
13756 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
13757 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
13758 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
13759 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
13760 you can usually resolve the confusion
13761 by qualifying the problematic names with package
13762 @code{Standard} explicitly.
13763 @end itemize
13764
13765 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
13766 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
13767 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
13768 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
13769 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
13770 enabled.
13771
13772 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13773 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13774 @table @code
13775
13776 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
13777 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
13778 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
13779 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
13780 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
13781 This is the default.
13782
13783 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
13784 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
13785 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
13786 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
13787 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
13788 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
13789 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
13790
13791 @end table
13792
13793 @node Unsupported Languages
13794 @section Unsupported Languages
13795
13796 @cindex unsupported languages
13797 @cindex minimal language
13798 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
13799 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
13800 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
13801 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
13802 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
13803 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
13804
13805 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
13806 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
13807 language.
13808
13809 @node Symbols
13810 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
13811
13812 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
13813 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
13814 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
13815 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
13816 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
13817 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
13818 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
13819
13820 @cindex symbol names
13821 @cindex names of symbols
13822 @cindex quoting names
13823 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
13824 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
13825 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
13826 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
13827 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
13828 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
13829 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
13830 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
13831
13832 @smallexample
13833 p 'foo.c'::x
13834 @end smallexample
13835
13836 @noindent
13837 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
13838
13839 @table @code
13840 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
13841 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
13842 @kindex set case-sensitive
13843 @item set case-sensitive on
13844 @itemx set case-sensitive off
13845 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
13846 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
13847 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
13848 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
13849 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
13850 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
13851 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
13852 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
13853 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
13854 case-insensitive matches.
13855
13856 @kindex show case-sensitive
13857 @item show case-sensitive
13858 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
13859 lookups.
13860
13861 @kindex info address
13862 @cindex address of a symbol
13863 @item info address @var{symbol}
13864 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
13865 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
13866 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
13867 is always stored.
13868
13869 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
13870 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
13871 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
13872
13873 @kindex info symbol
13874 @cindex symbol from address
13875 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
13876 @item info symbol @var{addr}
13877 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
13878 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
13879 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
13880
13881 @smallexample
13882 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
13883 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
13884 @end smallexample
13885
13886 @noindent
13887 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
13888 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
13889
13890 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
13891 library containing the symbol is also printed:
13892
13893 @smallexample
13894 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
13895 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
13896 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
13897 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
13898 @end smallexample
13899
13900 @kindex whatis
13901 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
13902 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
13903 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
13904 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13905
13906 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
13907 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
13908 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
13909
13910 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
13911 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
13912 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
13913 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
13914 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
13915 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
13916 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
13917 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
13918 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
13919
13920 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
13921 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
13922 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
13923 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
13924 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
13925 unroll it.
13926
13927 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
13928 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
13929 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
13930
13931 @kindex ptype
13932 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
13933 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
13934 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
13935 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13936
13937 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
13938 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
13939 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
13940 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
13941 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
13942 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
13943 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
13944 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
13945
13946 For example, for this variable declaration:
13947
13948 @smallexample
13949 typedef double real_t;
13950 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
13951 typedef struct complex complex_t;
13952 complex_t var;
13953 real_t *real_pointer_var;
13954 @end smallexample
13955
13956 @noindent
13957 the two commands give this output:
13958
13959 @smallexample
13960 @group
13961 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
13962 type = complex_t
13963 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
13964 type = struct complex @{
13965 real_t real;
13966 double imag;
13967 @}
13968 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
13969 type = struct complex
13970 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
13971 type = struct complex
13972 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
13973 type = struct complex @{
13974 real_t real;
13975 double imag;
13976 @}
13977 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
13978 type = real_t *
13979 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
13980 type = double *
13981 @end group
13982 @end smallexample
13983
13984 @noindent
13985 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
13986 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13987
13988 @cindex incomplete type
13989 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
13990 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
13991 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
13992 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
13993 given these declarations:
13994
13995 @smallexample
13996 struct foo;
13997 struct foo *fooptr;
13998 @end smallexample
13999
14000 @noindent
14001 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
14002
14003 @smallexample
14004 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
14005 $1 = <incomplete type>
14006 @end smallexample
14007
14008 @noindent
14009 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
14010 completely specified.
14011
14012 @kindex info types
14013 @item info types @var{regexp}
14014 @itemx info types
14015 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
14016 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
14017 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
14018 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
14019 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
14020 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
14021 name is @code{value}.
14022
14023 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
14024 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
14025 lists all source files where a type is defined.
14026
14027 @kindex info scope
14028 @cindex local variables
14029 @item info scope @var{location}
14030 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
14031 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
14032 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
14033 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
14034 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
14035
14036 @smallexample
14037 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
14038 Scope for command_line_handler:
14039 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
14040 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
14041 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
14042 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
14043 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
14044 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
14045 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
14046 @end smallexample
14047
14048 @noindent
14049 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
14050 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
14051 collect}.
14052
14053 @kindex info source
14054 @item info source
14055 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
14056 the function containing the current point of execution:
14057 @itemize @bullet
14058 @item
14059 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
14060 @item
14061 the directory it was compiled in,
14062 @item
14063 its length, in lines,
14064 @item
14065 which programming language it is written in,
14066 @item
14067 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
14068 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
14069 @item
14070 whether the debugging information includes information about
14071 preprocessor macros.
14072 @end itemize
14073
14074
14075 @kindex info sources
14076 @item info sources
14077 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
14078 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
14079 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
14080
14081 @kindex info functions
14082 @item info functions
14083 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
14084
14085 @item info functions @var{regexp}
14086 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
14087 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
14088 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
14089 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
14090 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
14091 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
14092 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
14093
14094 @kindex info variables
14095 @item info variables
14096 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
14097 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
14098
14099 @item info variables @var{regexp}
14100 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
14101 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
14102 @var{regexp}.
14103
14104 @kindex info classes
14105 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
14106 @item info classes
14107 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
14108 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
14109 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
14110 expression.
14111
14112 @kindex info selectors
14113 @item info selectors
14114 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
14115 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
14116 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
14117 expression.
14118
14119 @ignore
14120 This was never implemented.
14121 @kindex info methods
14122 @item info methods
14123 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
14124 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
14125 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
14126 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
14127 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
14128 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
14129 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
14130 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
14131 @end ignore
14132
14133 @cindex reloading symbols
14134 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
14135 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
14136 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
14137 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
14138 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
14139
14140 @table @code
14141 @kindex set symbol-reloading
14142 @item set symbol-reloading on
14143 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
14144 object file with a particular name is seen again.
14145
14146 @item set symbol-reloading off
14147 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
14148 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
14149 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
14150 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
14151 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
14152 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
14153 name.
14154
14155 @kindex show symbol-reloading
14156 @item show symbol-reloading
14157 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
14158 @end table
14159
14160 @cindex opaque data types
14161 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
14162 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
14163 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
14164 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
14165 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
14166 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
14167 another source file. The default is on.
14168
14169 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
14170 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
14171
14172 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
14173 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
14174 is printed as follows:
14175 @smallexample
14176 @{<no data fields>@}
14177 @end smallexample
14178
14179 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
14180 @item show opaque-type-resolution
14181 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
14182
14183 @kindex maint print symbols
14184 @cindex symbol dump
14185 @kindex maint print psymbols
14186 @cindex partial symbol dump
14187 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
14188 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
14189 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
14190 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
14191 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
14192 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
14193 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
14194 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
14195 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
14196 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
14197 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
14198 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
14199 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
14200 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
14201 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
14202 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
14203 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
14204
14205 @kindex maint info symtabs
14206 @kindex maint info psymtabs
14207 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
14208 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14209 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14210 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14211 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14212 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14213
14214 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
14215 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
14216 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
14217 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
14218 structure in more detail. For example:
14219
14220 @smallexample
14221 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
14222 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14223 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14224 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14225 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
14226 readin no
14227 fullname (null)
14228 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
14229 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
14230 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
14231 dependencies (none)
14232 @}
14233 @}
14234 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14235 (@value{GDBP})
14236 @end smallexample
14237 @noindent
14238 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
14239 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
14240 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
14241 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
14242 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
14243
14244 @smallexample
14245 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
14246 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
14247 line 1574.
14248 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14249 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14250 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14251 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14252 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
14253 dirname (null)
14254 fullname (null)
14255 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
14256 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
14257 debugformat DWARF 2
14258 @}
14259 @}
14260 (@value{GDBP})
14261 @end smallexample
14262 @end table
14263
14264
14265 @node Altering
14266 @chapter Altering Execution
14267
14268 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
14269 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
14270 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
14271 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
14272 program.
14273
14274 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
14275 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
14276 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
14277
14278 @menu
14279 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
14280 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
14281 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
14282 * Returning:: Returning from a function
14283 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
14284 * Patching:: Patching your program
14285 @end menu
14286
14287 @node Assignment
14288 @section Assignment to Variables
14289
14290 @cindex assignment
14291 @cindex setting variables
14292 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
14293 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
14294
14295 @smallexample
14296 print x=4
14297 @end smallexample
14298
14299 @noindent
14300 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
14301 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
14302 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
14303 information on operators in supported languages.
14304
14305 @kindex set variable
14306 @cindex variables, setting
14307 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
14308 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
14309 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
14310 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
14311 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
14312
14313 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
14314 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
14315 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
14316 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
14317 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
14318 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
14319 command @code{set width}:
14320
14321 @smallexample
14322 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
14323 type = double
14324 (@value{GDBP}) p width
14325 $4 = 13
14326 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
14327 Invalid syntax in expression.
14328 @end smallexample
14329
14330 @noindent
14331 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
14332 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
14333
14334 @smallexample
14335 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
14336 @end smallexample
14337
14338 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
14339 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
14340 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
14341 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
14342 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
14343 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
14344
14345 @smallexample
14346 @group
14347 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
14348 type = double
14349 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14350 $1 = 1
14351 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
14352 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14353 $2 = 1
14354 (@value{GDBP}) r
14355 The program being debugged has been started already.
14356 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
14357 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
14358 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
14359 Invalid bfd target.
14360 (@value{GDBP}) show g
14361 The current BFD target is "=4".
14362 @end group
14363 @end smallexample
14364
14365 @noindent
14366 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
14367 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
14368 @code{g}, use
14369
14370 @smallexample
14371 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
14372 @end smallexample
14373
14374 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
14375 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
14376 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
14377 same length or shorter.
14378 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
14379 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
14380
14381 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
14382 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
14383 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
14384 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
14385 and representation in memory), and
14386
14387 @smallexample
14388 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
14389 @end smallexample
14390
14391 @noindent
14392 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
14393
14394 @node Jumping
14395 @section Continuing at a Different Address
14396
14397 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
14398 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
14399 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
14400
14401 @table @code
14402 @kindex jump
14403 @item jump @var{linespec}
14404 @itemx jump @var{location}
14405 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
14406 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
14407 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
14408 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
14409 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
14410 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
14411
14412 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
14413 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
14414 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
14415 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
14416 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
14417 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
14418 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
14419 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
14420 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
14421 @end table
14422
14423 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
14424 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
14425 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
14426 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
14427 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
14428 example,
14429
14430 @smallexample
14431 set $pc = 0x485
14432 @end smallexample
14433
14434 @noindent
14435 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
14436 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
14437 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
14438
14439 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
14440 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
14441 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
14442 detail.
14443
14444 @c @group
14445 @node Signaling
14446 @section Giving your Program a Signal
14447 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
14448
14449 @table @code
14450 @kindex signal
14451 @item signal @var{signal}
14452 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
14453 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
14454 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
14455 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
14456
14457 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
14458 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
14459 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
14460 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
14461 signal.
14462
14463 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
14464 after executing the command.
14465 @end table
14466 @c @end group
14467
14468 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
14469 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
14470 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
14471 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
14472 passes the signal directly to your program.
14473
14474
14475 @node Returning
14476 @section Returning from a Function
14477
14478 @table @code
14479 @cindex returning from a function
14480 @kindex return
14481 @item return
14482 @itemx return @var{expression}
14483 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
14484 command. If you give an
14485 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
14486 value.
14487 @end table
14488
14489 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
14490 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
14491 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
14492 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
14493
14494 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
14495 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
14496 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
14497 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
14498 of functions.
14499
14500 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
14501 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
14502 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
14503 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
14504 selected stack frame returns naturally.
14505
14506 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
14507 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
14508 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
14509 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
14510 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
14511 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
14512 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
14513 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
14514 assignment into the right register(s).
14515
14516 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
14517 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
14518 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
14519 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
14520 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
14521 into a @code{long long int}:
14522
14523 @smallexample
14524 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
14525 29 return 31;
14526 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14527 Make func return now? (y or n) y
14528 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
14529 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
14530 (@value{GDBP})
14531 @end smallexample
14532
14533 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
14534 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
14535 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
14536 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
14537 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
14538 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
14539 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
14540 an appropriate cast explicitly:
14541
14542 @smallexample
14543 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
14544 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14545 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
14546 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
14547 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
14548 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
14549 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
14550 (@value{GDBP})
14551 @end smallexample
14552
14553 @node Calling
14554 @section Calling Program Functions
14555
14556 @table @code
14557 @cindex calling functions
14558 @cindex inferior functions, calling
14559 @item print @var{expr}
14560 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
14561 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
14562 debugged.
14563
14564 @kindex call
14565 @item call @var{expr}
14566 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
14567 returned values.
14568
14569 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
14570 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
14571 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
14572 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
14573 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
14574 value history.
14575 @end table
14576
14577 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
14578 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
14579 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
14580 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
14581
14582 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
14583 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
14584 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
14585 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
14586 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
14587 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
14588 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
14589 in that case is controlled by the
14590 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
14591
14592 @table @code
14593 @item set unwindonsignal
14594 @kindex set unwindonsignal
14595 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
14596 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
14597 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
14598 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
14599 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
14600 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
14601 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
14602 received.
14603
14604 @item show unwindonsignal
14605 @kindex show unwindonsignal
14606 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14607 @value{GDBN}.
14608
14609 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14610 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14611 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
14612 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
14613 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
14614 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
14615 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
14616 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
14617 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
14618 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
14619
14620 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14621 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14622 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14623 @value{GDBN}.
14624
14625 @end table
14626
14627 @cindex weak alias functions
14628 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
14629 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
14630 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
14631 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
14632 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
14633 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
14634 function instead.
14635
14636 @node Patching
14637 @section Patching Programs
14638
14639 @cindex patching binaries
14640 @cindex writing into executables
14641 @cindex writing into corefiles
14642
14643 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
14644 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
14645 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
14646 patching your program's binary.
14647
14648 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
14649 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
14650 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
14651 repairs.
14652
14653 @table @code
14654 @kindex set write
14655 @item set write on
14656 @itemx set write off
14657 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
14658 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
14659 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
14660
14661 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
14662 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
14663 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
14664
14665 @item show write
14666 @kindex show write
14667 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
14668 as well as reading.
14669 @end table
14670
14671 @node GDB Files
14672 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
14673
14674 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
14675 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
14676 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
14677 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
14678
14679 @menu
14680 * Files:: Commands to specify files
14681 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
14682 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
14683 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
14684 * Data Files:: GDB data files
14685 @end menu
14686
14687 @node Files
14688 @section Commands to Specify Files
14689
14690 @cindex symbol table
14691 @cindex core dump file
14692
14693 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
14694 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
14695 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
14696 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
14697
14698 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
14699 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
14700 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
14701 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
14702 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
14703 new files are useful.
14704
14705 @table @code
14706 @cindex executable file
14707 @kindex file
14708 @item file @var{filename}
14709 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
14710 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
14711 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
14712 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
14713 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
14714 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
14715 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
14716 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
14717
14718 @cindex unlinked object files
14719 @cindex patching object files
14720 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
14721 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
14722 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
14723 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
14724 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
14725 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
14726 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
14727 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
14728
14729 @item file
14730 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
14731 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
14732
14733 @kindex exec-file
14734 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14735 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
14736 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
14737 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
14738 discard information on the executable file.
14739
14740 @kindex symbol-file
14741 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14742 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
14743 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
14744 table and program to run from the same file.
14745
14746 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
14747 program's symbol table.
14748
14749 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
14750 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
14751 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
14752 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
14753 @value{GDBN}.
14754
14755 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
14756 executing it once.
14757
14758 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
14759 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
14760 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
14761 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
14762 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
14763 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
14764 optimized code.
14765
14766 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
14767 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
14768 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
14769 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
14770 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
14771
14772 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
14773 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
14774 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
14775 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
14776 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
14777 Warnings and Messages}.)
14778
14779 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
14780 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
14781 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
14782 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
14783 in stabs format.
14784
14785 @kindex readnow
14786 @cindex reading symbols immediately
14787 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
14788 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14789 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14790 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
14791 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
14792 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
14793 entire symbol table available.
14794
14795 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
14796 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
14797 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
14798 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
14799 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
14800 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
14801 @c files.
14802
14803 @kindex core-file
14804 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
14805 @itemx core
14806 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
14807 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
14808 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
14809 executable file itself for other parts.
14810
14811 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
14812 to be used.
14813
14814 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
14815 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
14816 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
14817 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
14818 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
14819
14820 @kindex add-symbol-file
14821 @cindex dynamic linking
14822 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
14823 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
14824 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
14825 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
14826 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
14827 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
14828 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
14829 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
14830 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
14831 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
14832 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
14833 @var{address} as an expression.
14834
14835 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
14836 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
14837 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
14838 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
14839 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
14840
14841 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
14842 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
14843 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
14844 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
14845 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
14846 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
14847 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
14848 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
14849 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
14850
14851 @itemize @bullet
14852 @item
14853 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
14854 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
14855 @item
14856 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
14857 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
14858 @item
14859 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
14860 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14861 @end itemize
14862
14863 @noindent
14864 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
14865 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
14866 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
14867 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
14868 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
14869 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
14870 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
14871 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
14872 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
14873 way.
14874
14875 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
14876
14877 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
14878 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
14879 @cindex load symbols from memory
14880 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
14881 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
14882 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
14883 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
14884 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
14885 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
14886 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
14887 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
14888 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
14889
14890 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
14891 @kindex assf
14892 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
14893 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
14894 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
14895 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
14896 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
14897 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
14898 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
14899 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
14900 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
14901 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
14902
14903 @kindex section
14904 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
14905 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
14906 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
14907 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
14908 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
14909 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
14910 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
14911 their addresses.
14912
14913 @kindex info files
14914 @kindex info target
14915 @item info files
14916 @itemx info target
14917 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
14918 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
14919 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
14920 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
14921 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
14922 current ones.
14923
14924 @kindex maint info sections
14925 @item maint info sections
14926 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
14927 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
14928 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
14929 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
14930 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
14931 may be arbitrarily combined):
14932
14933 @table @code
14934 @item ALLOBJ
14935 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
14936 @item @var{sections}
14937 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
14938 @item @var{section-flags}
14939 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
14940 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
14941 @table @code
14942 @item ALLOC
14943 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
14944 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
14945 @item LOAD
14946 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
14947 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
14948 @item RELOC
14949 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
14950 @item READONLY
14951 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
14952 @item CODE
14953 Section contains executable code only.
14954 @item DATA
14955 Section contains data only (no executable code).
14956 @item ROM
14957 Section will reside in ROM.
14958 @item CONSTRUCTOR
14959 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
14960 @item HAS_CONTENTS
14961 Section is not empty.
14962 @item NEVER_LOAD
14963 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
14964 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
14965 A notification to the linker that the section contains
14966 COFF shared library information.
14967 @item IS_COMMON
14968 Section contains common symbols.
14969 @end table
14970 @end table
14971 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
14972 @cindex read-only sections
14973 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
14974 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
14975 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
14976 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
14977 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
14978 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
14979 enhancement to debugging performance.
14980
14981 The default is off.
14982
14983 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
14984 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
14985 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
14986 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
14987
14988 @item show trust-readonly-sections
14989 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
14990 @end table
14991
14992 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
14993 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
14994 name and remembers it that way.
14995
14996 @cindex shared libraries
14997 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
14998 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
14999 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
15000
15001 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
15002 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
15003
15004 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
15005 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
15006 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
15007 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
15008 debugging a core file).
15009
15010 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
15011 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
15012
15013 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
15014 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
15015 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
15016
15017 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
15018 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
15019 particularly large or there are many of them.
15020
15021 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
15022 commands:
15023
15024 @table @code
15025 @kindex set auto-solib-add
15026 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
15027 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
15028 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
15029 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
15030 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
15031 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
15032 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
15033
15034 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
15035 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
15036 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
15037 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
15038 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
15039 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
15040 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
15041 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
15042 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
15043
15044 @kindex show auto-solib-add
15045 @item show auto-solib-add
15046 Display the current autoloading mode.
15047 @end table
15048
15049 @cindex load shared library
15050 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
15051 command:
15052
15053 @table @code
15054 @kindex info sharedlibrary
15055 @kindex info share
15056 @item info share @var{regex}
15057 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
15058 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
15059 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
15060 all shared libraries that are loaded.
15061
15062 @kindex sharedlibrary
15063 @kindex share
15064 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
15065 @itemx share @var{regex}
15066 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
15067 Unix regular expression.
15068 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
15069 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
15070 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
15071 loaded.
15072
15073 @item nosharedlibrary
15074 @kindex nosharedlibrary
15075 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
15076 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
15077 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
15078 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
15079 discarded.
15080 @end table
15081
15082 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
15083 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
15084 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
15085
15086 @table @code
15087 @item set stop-on-solib-events
15088 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
15089 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
15090 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
15091 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
15092 shared library.
15093
15094 @item show stop-on-solib-events
15095 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
15096 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
15097 library events happen.
15098 @end table
15099
15100 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
15101 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
15102 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
15103 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
15104 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
15105 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
15106 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
15107 not.
15108
15109 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
15110 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
15111 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
15112 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
15113 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
15114
15115 @table @code
15116 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
15117 @cindex system root, alternate
15118 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
15119 @kindex set sysroot
15120 @item set sysroot @var{path}
15121 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
15122 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
15123 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
15124 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
15125 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
15126 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
15127 under @var{path}.
15128
15129 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
15130 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
15131 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
15132 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
15133 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
15134 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
15135 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
15136 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
15137 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
15138
15139 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
15140 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
15141 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
15142 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
15143 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
15144
15145 @smallexample
15146 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
15147 @end smallexample
15148
15149 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
15150 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
15151 system:
15152
15153 @smallexample
15154 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
15155 @end smallexample
15156
15157 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
15158 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
15159 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
15160 colons:
15161
15162 @smallexample
15163 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
15164 @end smallexample
15165
15166 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
15167 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
15168 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
15169 @samp{z}):
15170
15171 @smallexample
15172 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
15173 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15174 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15175 @end smallexample
15176
15177 @noindent
15178 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
15179 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
15180 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
15181
15182 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
15183 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
15184
15185 @smallexample
15186 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
15187 @end smallexample
15188
15189 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
15190 if you don't want or need to.
15191
15192 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
15193 sysroot}.
15194
15195 @cindex default system root
15196 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
15197 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
15198 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
15199 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15200 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
15201 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15202 location.
15203
15204 @kindex show sysroot
15205 @item show sysroot
15206 Display the current shared library prefix.
15207
15208 @kindex set solib-search-path
15209 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
15210 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15211 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
15212 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
15213 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
15214 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
15215 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
15216 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
15217 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
15218 of shared library symbols.
15219
15220 @kindex show solib-search-path
15221 @item show solib-search-path
15222 Display the current shared library search path.
15223
15224 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
15225 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
15226 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
15227 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
15228 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
15229
15230 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
15231 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
15232 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
15233 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
15234 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
15235 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
15236 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
15237 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
15238 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
15239 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
15240 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
15241 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
15242 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
15243 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
15244 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
15245 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
15246 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
15247 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
15248 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
15249 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
15250 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
15251 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
15252
15253 @table @code
15254 @item unix
15255 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
15256 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
15257 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
15258 the forward slash.
15259
15260 @item dos-based
15261 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
15262 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
15263 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
15264 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
15265 considered directory separators.
15266
15267 @item auto
15268 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
15269 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
15270 This is the default.
15271 @end table
15272 @end table
15273
15274
15275 @node Separate Debug Files
15276 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
15277 @cindex separate debugging information files
15278 @cindex debugging information in separate files
15279 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
15280 @cindex debugging information directory, global
15281 @cindex global debugging information directory
15282 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
15283 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
15284
15285 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
15286 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
15287 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
15288 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
15289 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
15290 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
15291 install only when they need to debug a problem.
15292
15293 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
15294 file:
15295
15296 @itemize @bullet
15297 @item
15298 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
15299 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
15300 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
15301 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
15302 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
15303 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
15304 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
15305 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
15306
15307 @item
15308 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
15309 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
15310 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
15311 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
15312 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
15313 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
15314 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
15315 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
15316 below.
15317 @end itemize
15318
15319 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
15320 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
15321
15322 @itemize @bullet
15323 @item
15324 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
15325 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
15326 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
15327 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
15328 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
15329
15330 @item
15331 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
15332 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
15333 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
15334 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
15335 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
15336 hex characters, not 10.)
15337 @end itemize
15338
15339 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
15340 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
15341 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
15342 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
15343 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
15344 debug information files, in the indicated order:
15345
15346 @itemize @minus
15347 @item
15348 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
15349 @item
15350 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
15351 @item
15352 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
15353 @item
15354 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
15355 @end itemize
15356
15357 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
15358 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
15359
15360 @table @code
15361
15362 @kindex set debug-file-directory
15363 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
15364 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15365 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
15366 concatenating them by a directory separator.
15367
15368 @kindex show debug-file-directory
15369 @item show debug-file-directory
15370 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15371 information files.
15372
15373 @end table
15374
15375 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
15376 @cindex debug link sections
15377 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
15378 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
15379
15380 @itemize
15381 @item
15382 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
15383 a zero byte,
15384 @item
15385 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
15386 boundary within the section, and
15387 @item
15388 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
15389 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
15390 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
15391 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
15392 @end itemize
15393
15394 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
15395 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
15396 described above.
15397
15398 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
15399 @cindex build ID sections
15400 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
15401 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
15402 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
15403 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
15404 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
15405 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
15406 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
15407 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
15408 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
15409
15410 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
15411 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
15412 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
15413 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
15414 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
15415 in an ordinary executable.
15416
15417 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
15418 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
15419 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
15420 following commands:
15421
15422 @smallexample
15423 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
15424 @kbd{strip -g foo}
15425 @end smallexample
15426
15427 @noindent
15428 These commands remove the debugging
15429 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
15430 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
15431 two files:
15432
15433 @itemize @bullet
15434 @item
15435 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
15436 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
15437
15438 @smallexample
15439 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
15440 @end smallexample
15441
15442 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
15443 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
15444 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
15445 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
15446
15447 @item
15448 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
15449 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
15450 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
15451 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
15452 @end itemize
15453
15454 @noindent
15455
15456 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
15457 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
15458 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
15459
15460 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
15461 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
15462 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
15463 @c different ways!
15464 @ifhtml
15465 @display
15466 @html
15467 <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>
15468 + <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
15469 @end html
15470 @end display
15471 @end ifhtml
15472 @ifnothtml
15473 @display
15474 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
15475 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
15476 @end display
15477 @end ifnothtml
15478
15479 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
15480 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
15481 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
15482 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
15483 CRC.
15484
15485 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
15486 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
15487 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
15488 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
15489 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
15490 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
15491
15492 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
15493 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
15494 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
15495 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
15496 @code{0xffffffff}.
15497
15498 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
15499 @smallexample
15500 unsigned long
15501 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
15502 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
15503 @{
15504 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
15505 @{
15506 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
15507 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
15508 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
15509 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
15510 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
15511 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
15512 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
15513 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
15514 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
15515 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
15516 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
15517 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
15518 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
15519 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
15520 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
15521 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
15522 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
15523 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
15524 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
15525 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
15526 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
15527 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
15528 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
15529 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
15530 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
15531 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
15532 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
15533 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
15534 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
15535 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
15536 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
15537 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
15538 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
15539 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
15540 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
15541 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
15542 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
15543 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
15544 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
15545 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
15546 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
15547 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
15548 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
15549 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
15550 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
15551 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
15552 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
15553 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
15554 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
15555 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
15556 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
15557 0x2d02ef8d
15558 @};
15559 unsigned char *end;
15560
15561 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15562 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
15563 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
15564 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15565 @}
15566 @end smallexample
15567
15568 @noindent
15569 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
15570
15571
15572 @node Index Files
15573 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
15574 @cindex index files
15575 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
15576
15577 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
15578 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
15579 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
15580 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
15581 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
15582 startup.
15583
15584 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
15585 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
15586 using @command{objcopy}.
15587
15588 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
15589
15590 @table @code
15591 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
15592 @kindex save gdb-index
15593 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
15594 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
15595 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
15596 @var{directory}.
15597 @end table
15598
15599 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
15600 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
15601
15602 @smallexample
15603 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
15604 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
15605 @end smallexample
15606
15607 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
15608 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
15609 currently work for programs using Ada.
15610
15611 @node Symbol Errors
15612 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
15613
15614 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
15615 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
15616 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
15617 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
15618 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
15619 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
15620 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
15621 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
15622 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
15623 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15624 Messages}).
15625
15626 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
15627
15628 @table @code
15629 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
15630
15631 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
15632 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
15633 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
15634 in its outer scope blocks.
15635
15636 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
15637 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
15638 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
15639 function.
15640
15641 @item block at @var{address} out of order
15642
15643 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
15644 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
15645 do so.
15646
15647 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
15648 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
15649 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
15650 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15651 Messages}.)
15652
15653 @item bad block start address patched
15654
15655 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
15656 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
15657 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
15658
15659 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
15660 starting on the previous source line.
15661
15662 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
15663
15664 @cindex foo
15665 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
15666 larger than the size of the string table.
15667
15668 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
15669 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
15670 with this name.
15671
15672 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
15673
15674 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
15675 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
15676 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
15677
15678 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
15679 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
15680 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
15681 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
15682 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
15683 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
15684
15685 @item stub type has NULL name
15686
15687 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
15688
15689 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
15690 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
15691 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
15692 it.
15693
15694 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
15695
15696 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
15697
15698 @end table
15699
15700 @node Data Files
15701 @section GDB Data Files
15702
15703 @cindex prefix for data files
15704 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
15705 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
15706
15707 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
15708 is currently using.
15709
15710 @table @code
15711 @kindex set data-directory
15712 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
15713 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
15714 to @var{directory}.
15715
15716 @kindex show data-directory
15717 @item show data-directory
15718 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
15719 @end table
15720
15721 @cindex default data directory
15722 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
15723 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
15724 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
15725 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15726 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
15727 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15728 location.
15729
15730 The data directory may also be specified with the
15731 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
15732 @xref{Mode Options}.
15733
15734 @node Targets
15735 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
15736
15737 @cindex debugging target
15738 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
15739
15740 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
15741 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
15742 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
15743 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
15744 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
15745 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
15746 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
15747 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
15748
15749 @cindex target architecture
15750 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
15751 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
15752 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
15753 command.
15754
15755 @table @code
15756 @kindex set architecture
15757 @kindex show architecture
15758 @item set architecture @var{arch}
15759 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
15760 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
15761 supported architectures.
15762
15763 @item show architecture
15764 Show the current target architecture.
15765
15766 @item set processor
15767 @itemx processor
15768 @kindex set processor
15769 @kindex show processor
15770 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
15771 and @code{show architecture}.
15772 @end table
15773
15774 @menu
15775 * Active Targets:: Active targets
15776 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
15777 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
15778 @end menu
15779
15780 @node Active Targets
15781 @section Active Targets
15782
15783 @cindex stacking targets
15784 @cindex active targets
15785 @cindex multiple targets
15786
15787 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
15788 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
15789 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
15790 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
15791 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
15792 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
15793 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
15794 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
15795 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
15796
15797 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
15798 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
15799 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
15800 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
15801
15802 @node Target Commands
15803 @section Commands for Managing Targets
15804
15805 @table @code
15806 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
15807 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
15808 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
15809 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
15810 protocol of the target machine.
15811
15812 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
15813 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
15814 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
15815
15816 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
15817 after executing the command.
15818
15819 @kindex help target
15820 @item help target
15821 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
15822 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
15823 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15824
15825 @item help target @var{name}
15826 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
15827 select it.
15828
15829 @kindex set gnutarget
15830 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
15831 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
15832 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
15833 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
15834 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
15835 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
15836
15837 @quotation
15838 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
15839 you must know the actual BFD name.
15840 @end quotation
15841
15842 @noindent
15843 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
15844
15845 @kindex show gnutarget
15846 @item show gnutarget
15847 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
15848 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
15849 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
15850 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
15851 @end table
15852
15853 @cindex common targets
15854 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
15855 configuration):
15856
15857 @table @code
15858 @kindex target
15859 @item target exec @var{program}
15860 @cindex executable file target
15861 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
15862 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
15863
15864 @item target core @var{filename}
15865 @cindex core dump file target
15866 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
15867 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
15868
15869 @item target remote @var{medium}
15870 @cindex remote target
15871 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
15872 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
15873 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
15874
15875 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
15876 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
15877
15878 @smallexample
15879 target remote /dev/ttya
15880 @end smallexample
15881
15882 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
15883 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
15884 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
15885 clobbered by the download.
15886
15887 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
15888 @cindex built-in simulator target
15889 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
15890 In general,
15891 @smallexample
15892 target sim
15893 load
15894 run
15895 @end smallexample
15896 @noindent
15897 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
15898 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
15899 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
15900 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
15901 Processors}.
15902
15903 @end table
15904
15905 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
15906
15907 @table @code
15908
15909 @item target nrom @var{dev}
15910 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
15911 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
15912
15913 @end table
15914
15915 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
15916 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
15917
15918 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
15919 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
15920 various aspects of this process.
15921
15922 @table @code
15923
15924 @item set hash
15925 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15926 @cindex hash mark while downloading
15927 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
15928 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
15929 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
15930 monitor.
15931
15932 @item show hash
15933 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15934 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
15935
15936 @item set debug monitor
15937 @kindex set debug monitor
15938 @cindex display remote monitor communications
15939 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
15940 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15941
15942 @item show debug monitor
15943 @kindex show debug monitor
15944 Show the current status of displaying communications between
15945 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15946 @end table
15947
15948 @table @code
15949
15950 @kindex load @var{filename}
15951 @item load @var{filename}
15952 @anchor{load}
15953 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
15954 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
15955 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
15956 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
15957 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
15958 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15959
15960 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
15961 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
15962 target is @dots{}}''
15963
15964 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
15965 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
15966 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
15967 specifies a fixed address.
15968 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
15969
15970 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
15971 load programs into flash memory.
15972
15973 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
15974 @end table
15975
15976 @node Byte Order
15977 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
15978
15979 @cindex choosing target byte order
15980 @cindex target byte order
15981
15982 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
15983 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
15984 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
15985 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
15986 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
15987 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
15988
15989 @table @code
15990 @kindex set endian
15991 @item set endian big
15992 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
15993
15994 @item set endian little
15995 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
15996
15997 @item set endian auto
15998 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
15999 executable.
16000
16001 @item show endian
16002 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
16003
16004 @end table
16005
16006 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
16007 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
16008 target system.
16009
16010
16011 @node Remote Debugging
16012 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
16013 @cindex remote debugging
16014
16015 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
16016 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
16017 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
16018 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
16019 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
16020
16021 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
16022 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
16023 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
16024 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
16025 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
16026 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
16027
16028 Other remote targets may be available in your
16029 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
16030
16031 @menu
16032 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
16033 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
16034 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
16035 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
16036 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
16037 @end menu
16038
16039 @node Connecting
16040 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
16041
16042 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
16043 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
16044 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
16045 program as the first argument.
16046
16047 @cindex @code{target remote}
16048 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
16049 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
16050 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
16051 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
16052 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
16053 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
16054
16055 @table @code
16056
16057 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
16058 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
16059 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
16060 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
16061
16062 @smallexample
16063 target remote /dev/ttyb
16064 @end smallexample
16065
16066 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
16067 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
16068 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
16069 @code{target} command.
16070
16071 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
16072 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
16073 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
16074 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
16075 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
16076 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
16077 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
16078 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
16079 target.
16080
16081 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
16082 @code{manyfarms}:
16083
16084 @smallexample
16085 target remote manyfarms:2828
16086 @end smallexample
16087
16088 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
16089 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
16090 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
16091 port 1234 on your local machine:
16092
16093 @smallexample
16094 target remote :1234
16095 @end smallexample
16096 @noindent
16097
16098 Note that the colon is still required here.
16099
16100 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
16101 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
16102 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
16103 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
16104
16105 @smallexample
16106 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
16107 @end smallexample
16108
16109 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
16110 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
16111 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
16112 cause havoc with your debugging session.
16113
16114 @item target remote | @var{command}
16115 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
16116 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
16117 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
16118 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
16119 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
16120 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
16121 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
16122 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
16123
16124 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
16125 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
16126 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
16127
16128 @end table
16129
16130 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
16131 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
16132 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
16133 need to use @kbd{run}.
16134
16135 @cindex interrupting remote programs
16136 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
16137 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
16138 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
16139 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
16140 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
16141 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
16142
16143 @smallexample
16144 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
16145 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
16146 @end smallexample
16147
16148 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
16149 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
16150 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
16151 goes back to waiting.
16152
16153 @table @code
16154 @kindex detach (remote)
16155 @item detach
16156 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
16157 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
16158 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
16159 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
16160 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
16161
16162 @kindex disconnect
16163 @item disconnect
16164 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
16165 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
16166 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
16167 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
16168 another target.
16169
16170 @cindex send command to remote monitor
16171 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
16172 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
16173 @kindex monitor
16174 @item monitor @var{cmd}
16175 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
16176 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
16177 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
16178 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
16179 and implement.
16180 @end table
16181
16182 @node File Transfer
16183 @section Sending files to a remote system
16184 @cindex remote target, file transfer
16185 @cindex file transfer
16186 @cindex sending files to remote systems
16187
16188 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
16189 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
16190 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
16191 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
16192 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
16193 the only way to upload or download files.
16194
16195 Not all remote targets support these commands.
16196
16197 @table @code
16198 @kindex remote put
16199 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
16200 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
16201 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
16202
16203 @kindex remote get
16204 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
16205 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
16206 on the host system.
16207
16208 @kindex remote delete
16209 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
16210 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
16211
16212 @end table
16213
16214 @node Server
16215 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
16216
16217 @kindex gdbserver
16218 @cindex remote connection without stubs
16219 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
16220 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
16221 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
16222
16223 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
16224 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
16225 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
16226 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
16227 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
16228 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
16229 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
16230 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
16231 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
16232 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
16233 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
16234 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
16235 choice for debugging.
16236
16237 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
16238 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
16239 protocol.
16240
16241 @quotation
16242 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
16243 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
16244 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
16245 target system with the same privileges as the user running
16246 @code{gdbserver}.
16247 @end quotation
16248
16249 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
16250 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
16251 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
16252
16253 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
16254 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
16255 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
16256 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
16257 system does all the symbol handling.
16258
16259 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
16260 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
16261 syntax is:
16262
16263 @smallexample
16264 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
16265 @end smallexample
16266
16267 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
16268 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
16269 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
16270 @file{/dev/com1}:
16271
16272 @smallexample
16273 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
16274 @end smallexample
16275
16276 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
16277 with it.
16278
16279 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
16280
16281 @smallexample
16282 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
16283 @end smallexample
16284
16285 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
16286 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
16287 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
16288 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
16289 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
16290 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
16291 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
16292 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
16293 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
16294 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
16295 @code{target remote} command.
16296
16297 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
16298 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
16299 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
16300
16301 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
16302 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
16303
16304 @smallexample
16305 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
16306 @end smallexample
16307
16308 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
16309 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
16310
16311 @pindex pidof
16312 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
16313 @code{pidof} utility:
16314
16315 @smallexample
16316 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
16317 @end smallexample
16318
16319 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
16320 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
16321 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
16322
16323 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
16324 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
16325 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
16326
16327 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
16328 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
16329 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
16330 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
16331
16332 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
16333 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
16334 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
16335 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
16336 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
16337 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
16338 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
16339 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
16340 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
16341
16342 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
16343 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
16344 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
16345 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
16346 the program you want to debug.
16347
16348 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
16349 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
16350 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
16351 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
16352 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
16353 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
16354
16355 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
16356
16357 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
16358
16359 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
16360 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
16361 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
16362 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
16363 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
16364 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
16365 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
16366 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
16367
16368 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
16369 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
16370 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
16371
16372 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
16373 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
16374 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
16375 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
16376 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
16377 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
16378 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
16379 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
16380 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
16381 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
16382 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
16383 instance closes its port after the first connection.
16384
16385 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
16386
16387 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
16388 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
16389 status information about the debugging process.
16390 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
16391 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
16392 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
16393 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
16394
16395 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
16396 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
16397 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
16398 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
16399 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
16400
16401 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
16402 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
16403 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
16404 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
16405
16406 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
16407 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
16408 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
16409 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
16410
16411 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
16412 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
16413 environment:
16414
16415 @smallexample
16416 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
16417 @end smallexample
16418
16419 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
16420
16421 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
16422
16423 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
16424 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
16425 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
16426 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
16427
16428 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
16429 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
16430 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
16431 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
16432 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
16433 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
16434 programs.
16435
16436 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
16437 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
16438 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
16439 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
16440 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
16441 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
16442 already on the target.
16443
16444 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
16445 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
16446 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
16447
16448 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
16449 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
16450 Here are the available commands.
16451
16452 @table @code
16453 @item monitor help
16454 List the available monitor commands.
16455
16456 @item monitor set debug 0
16457 @itemx monitor set debug 1
16458 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
16459
16460 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
16461 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
16462 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
16463 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
16464
16465 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
16466 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
16467 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16468 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
16469 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
16470 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
16471
16472 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
16473 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
16474
16475 @item monitor exit
16476 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
16477 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
16478 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
16479 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
16480 of a multi-process mode debug session.
16481
16482 @end table
16483
16484 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16485 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16486
16487 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
16488 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
16489
16490 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
16491 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
16492 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
16493 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
16494 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
16495 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
16496 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
16497 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
16498 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
16499 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
16500 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
16501 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
16502
16503 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
16504
16505 @table @code
16506 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
16507
16508 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
16509 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
16510 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
16511
16512 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
16513
16514 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
16515 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
16516 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
16517 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
16518 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
16519 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
16520
16521 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
16522
16523 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
16524 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
16525 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
16526 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
16527 command for that. For example:
16528
16529 @smallexample
16530 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
16531 @end smallexample
16532
16533 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
16534 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
16535 @end table
16536
16537 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
16538 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
16539 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
16540 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
16541 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
16542 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
16543 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
16544 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
16545 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
16546 @code{gdbserver} like so:
16547
16548 @smallexample
16549 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
16550 @end smallexample
16551
16552 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
16553
16554 @smallexample
16555 $ gdb myprogram
16556 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
16557 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
16558 (@value{GDBP}) b main
16559 (@value{GDBP}) continue
16560 @end smallexample
16561
16562 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
16563 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
16564 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
16565 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
16566 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
16567 tracing.
16568
16569 @node Remote Configuration
16570 @section Remote Configuration
16571
16572 @kindex set remote
16573 @kindex show remote
16574 This section documents the configuration options available when
16575 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
16576 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
16577 system-call-allowed}.
16578
16579 @table @code
16580 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
16581 @cindex address size for remote targets
16582 @cindex bits in remote address
16583 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
16584 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
16585 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
16586 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
16587
16588 @item show remoteaddresssize
16589 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
16590
16591 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
16592 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
16593 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
16594 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
16595 remote targets.
16596
16597 @item show remotebaud
16598 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
16599
16600 @item set remotebreak
16601 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16602 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
16603 @anchor{set remotebreak}
16604 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
16605 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
16606 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
16607 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
16608 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
16609
16610 @item show remotebreak
16611 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
16612 interrupt the remote program.
16613
16614 @item set remoteflow on
16615 @itemx set remoteflow off
16616 @kindex set remoteflow
16617 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
16618 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
16619
16620 @item show remoteflow
16621 @kindex show remoteflow
16622 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
16623
16624 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
16625 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
16626 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
16627 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
16628 @code{ascii}.
16629
16630 @item show remotelogbase
16631 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
16632 protocol.
16633
16634 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
16635 @cindex record serial communications on file
16636 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
16637 default is not to record at all.
16638
16639 @item show remotelogfile.
16640 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
16641 serial communications.
16642
16643 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
16644 @cindex timeout for serial communications
16645 @cindex remote timeout
16646 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
16647 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
16648
16649 @item show remotetimeout
16650 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
16651 responses.
16652
16653 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
16654 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
16655 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
16656 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
16657 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
16658 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
16659 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
16660 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
16661
16662 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
16663 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
16664 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
16665 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
16666 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
16667 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
16668 as unlimited.
16669
16670 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
16671 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
16672 a remote hardware watchpoint.
16673
16674 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
16675 @itemx show remote exec-file
16676 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
16677 @cindex executable file, for remote target
16678 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
16679 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
16680 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
16681 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
16682
16683 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
16684 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16685 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
16686 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
16687 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
16688 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
16689 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
16690 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
16691 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
16692 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
16693
16694 @item show interrupt-sequence
16695 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
16696 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
16697 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
16698 also known as Magic SysRq g.
16699
16700 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
16701 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
16702 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
16703 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
16704 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
16705 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
16706
16707 @item show interrupt-on-connect
16708 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
16709 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
16710
16711 @kindex set tcp
16712 @kindex show tcp
16713 @item set tcp auto-retry on
16714 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
16715 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
16716 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
16717 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
16718 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
16719 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
16720 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
16721 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
16722
16723 @item set tcp auto-retry off
16724 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
16725
16726 @item show tcp auto-retry
16727 Show the current auto-retry setting.
16728
16729 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
16730 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
16731 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
16732 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
16733 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
16734 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
16735 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
16736 value.
16737
16738 @item show tcp connect-timeout
16739 Show the current connection timeout setting.
16740 @end table
16741
16742 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
16743 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
16744 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
16745 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
16746 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
16747 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
16748 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
16749 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
16750 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
16751
16752 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
16753 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
16754 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
16755 @value{GDBN} developers.
16756
16757 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
16758 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
16759 are:
16760
16761 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
16762 @item Command Name
16763 @tab Remote Packet
16764 @tab Related Features
16765
16766 @item @code{fetch-register}
16767 @tab @code{p}
16768 @tab @code{info registers}
16769
16770 @item @code{set-register}
16771 @tab @code{P}
16772 @tab @code{set}
16773
16774 @item @code{binary-download}
16775 @tab @code{X}
16776 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
16777
16778 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
16779 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
16780 @tab @code{info auxv}
16781
16782 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
16783 @tab @code{qSymbol}
16784 @tab Detecting multiple threads
16785
16786 @item @code{attach}
16787 @tab @code{vAttach}
16788 @tab @code{attach}
16789
16790 @item @code{verbose-resume}
16791 @tab @code{vCont}
16792 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
16793
16794 @item @code{run}
16795 @tab @code{vRun}
16796 @tab @code{run}
16797
16798 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
16799 @tab @code{Z0}
16800 @tab @code{break}
16801
16802 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
16803 @tab @code{Z1}
16804 @tab @code{hbreak}
16805
16806 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
16807 @tab @code{Z2}
16808 @tab @code{watch}
16809
16810 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
16811 @tab @code{Z3}
16812 @tab @code{rwatch}
16813
16814 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
16815 @tab @code{Z4}
16816 @tab @code{awatch}
16817
16818 @item @code{target-features}
16819 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
16820 @tab @code{set architecture}
16821
16822 @item @code{library-info}
16823 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
16824 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
16825
16826 @item @code{memory-map}
16827 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
16828 @tab @code{info mem}
16829
16830 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
16831 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
16832 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
16833
16834 @item @code{read-spu-object}
16835 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
16836 @tab @code{info spu}
16837
16838 @item @code{write-spu-object}
16839 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
16840 @tab @code{info spu}
16841
16842 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
16843 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
16844 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
16845
16846 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
16847 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
16848 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
16849
16850 @item @code{threads}
16851 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
16852 @tab @code{info threads}
16853
16854 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
16855 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
16856 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
16857
16858 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
16859 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
16860 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
16861
16862 @item @code{search-memory}
16863 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
16864 @tab @code{find}
16865
16866 @item @code{supported-packets}
16867 @tab @code{qSupported}
16868 @tab Remote communications parameters
16869
16870 @item @code{pass-signals}
16871 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
16872 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
16873
16874 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
16875 @tab @code{vFile:close}
16876 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16877
16878 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
16879 @tab @code{vFile:open}
16880 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16881
16882 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
16883 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
16884 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16885
16886 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
16887 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
16888 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16889
16890 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
16891 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
16892 @tab @code{remote delete}
16893
16894 @item @code{noack-packet}
16895 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
16896 @tab Packet acknowledgment
16897
16898 @item @code{osdata}
16899 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
16900 @tab @code{info os}
16901
16902 @item @code{query-attached}
16903 @tab @code{qAttached}
16904 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
16905
16906 @item @code{traceframe-info}
16907 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
16908 @tab Traceframe info
16909 @end multitable
16910
16911 @node Remote Stub
16912 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
16913
16914 @cindex debugging stub, example
16915 @cindex remote stub, example
16916 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
16917 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
16918 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
16919 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
16920 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
16921 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
16922 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
16923 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
16924
16925 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
16926 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
16927 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
16928 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
16929 program, you need:
16930
16931 @enumerate
16932 @item
16933 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
16934 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
16935 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
16936
16937 @item
16938 A C subroutine library to support your program's
16939 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
16940
16941 @item
16942 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
16943 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
16944 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
16945 documentation.
16946 @end enumerate
16947
16948 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
16949 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
16950 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
16951
16952 @table @emph
16953 @item On the host,
16954 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
16955 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
16956 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
16957
16958 @item On the target,
16959 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
16960 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
16961 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
16962
16963 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
16964 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
16965 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
16966 @end table
16967
16968 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
16969 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
16970 @sc{sparc} boards.
16971
16972 @cindex remote serial stub list
16973 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
16974
16975 @table @code
16976
16977 @item i386-stub.c
16978 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
16979 @cindex Intel
16980 @cindex i386
16981 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
16982
16983 @item m68k-stub.c
16984 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
16985 @cindex Motorola 680x0
16986 @cindex m680x0
16987 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
16988
16989 @item sh-stub.c
16990 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
16991 @cindex Renesas
16992 @cindex SH
16993 For Renesas SH architectures.
16994
16995 @item sparc-stub.c
16996 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
16997 @cindex Sparc
16998 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
16999
17000 @item sparcl-stub.c
17001 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
17002 @cindex Fujitsu
17003 @cindex SparcLite
17004 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
17005
17006 @end table
17007
17008 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
17009 recently added stubs.
17010
17011 @menu
17012 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
17013 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
17014 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
17015 @end menu
17016
17017 @node Stub Contents
17018 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
17019
17020 @cindex remote serial stub
17021 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
17022 subroutines:
17023
17024 @table @code
17025 @item set_debug_traps
17026 @findex set_debug_traps
17027 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
17028 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
17029 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
17030 beginning of your program.
17031
17032 @item handle_exception
17033 @findex handle_exception
17034 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
17035 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
17036 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
17037 run when a trap is triggered.
17038
17039 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
17040 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
17041 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
17042 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
17043 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
17044 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
17045 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
17046 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
17047 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
17048 machine.
17049
17050 @item breakpoint
17051 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
17052 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
17053 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
17054 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
17055 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
17056 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
17057 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
17058 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
17059 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
17060 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
17061 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
17062
17063 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
17064 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
17065 start of your debugging session.
17066 @end table
17067
17068 @node Bootstrapping
17069 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
17070
17071 @cindex remote stub, support routines
17072 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
17073 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
17074 debugging target machine.
17075
17076 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
17077 serial port.
17078
17079 @table @code
17080 @item int getDebugChar()
17081 @findex getDebugChar
17082 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
17083 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
17084 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
17085
17086 @item void putDebugChar(int)
17087 @findex putDebugChar
17088 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
17089 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
17090 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
17091 @end table
17092
17093 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
17094 @cindex interrupting remote targets
17095 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
17096 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
17097 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
17098 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
17099 remote system to stop.
17100
17101 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
17102 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
17103 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
17104 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
17105
17106 Other routines you need to supply are:
17107
17108 @table @code
17109 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
17110 @findex exceptionHandler
17111 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
17112 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
17113 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
17114 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
17115 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
17116 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
17117 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
17118 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
17119 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
17120 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
17121 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
17122 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
17123 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
17124
17125 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
17126 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
17127 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
17128 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
17129 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
17130
17131 @item void flush_i_cache()
17132 @findex flush_i_cache
17133 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
17134 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
17135 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
17136
17137 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
17138 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
17139 @end table
17140
17141 @noindent
17142 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
17143
17144 @table @code
17145 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
17146 @findex memset
17147 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
17148 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
17149 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
17150 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
17151 @end table
17152
17153 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
17154 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
17155 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
17156 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
17157
17158
17159 @node Debug Session
17160 @subsection Putting it All Together
17161
17162 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
17163 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
17164 steps.
17165
17166 @enumerate
17167 @item
17168 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
17169 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
17170 @display
17171 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
17172 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
17173 @end display
17174
17175 @item
17176 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
17177
17178 @smallexample
17179 set_debug_traps();
17180 breakpoint();
17181 @end smallexample
17182
17183 @item
17184 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
17185 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
17186
17187 @smallexample
17188 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
17189 @end smallexample
17190
17191 @noindent
17192 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
17193 function in your program, that function is called when
17194 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
17195 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
17196 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
17197
17198 @item
17199 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
17200 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
17201
17202 @item
17203 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
17204 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
17205
17206 @item
17207 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
17208 @c document that. FIXME.
17209 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
17210 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
17211
17212 @item
17213 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
17214 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17215
17216 @end enumerate
17217
17218 @node Configurations
17219 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
17220
17221 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
17222 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
17223 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
17224
17225 There are three major categories of configurations: native
17226 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
17227 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
17228 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
17229 are quite different from each other.
17230
17231 @menu
17232 * Native::
17233 * Embedded OS::
17234 * Embedded Processors::
17235 * Architectures::
17236 @end menu
17237
17238 @node Native
17239 @section Native
17240
17241 This section describes details specific to particular native
17242 configurations.
17243
17244 @menu
17245 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
17246 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
17247 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
17248 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
17249 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
17250 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
17251 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
17252 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
17253 @end menu
17254
17255 @node HP-UX
17256 @subsection HP-UX
17257
17258 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
17259 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
17260 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
17261
17262
17263 @node BSD libkvm Interface
17264 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
17265
17266 @cindex libkvm
17267 @cindex kernel memory image
17268 @cindex kernel crash dump
17269
17270 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
17271 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
17272 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
17273 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
17274 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
17275 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
17276 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
17277 @code{kvm} target:
17278
17279 @smallexample
17280 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
17281 @end smallexample
17282
17283 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
17284 argument:
17285
17286 @smallexample
17287 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
17288 @end smallexample
17289
17290 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
17291 available:
17292
17293 @table @code
17294 @kindex kvm
17295 @item kvm pcb
17296 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
17297
17298 @item kvm proc
17299 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
17300 modern FreeBSD systems.
17301 @end table
17302
17303 @node SVR4 Process Information
17304 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
17305 @cindex /proc
17306 @cindex examine process image
17307 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
17308
17309 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
17310 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
17311 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
17312 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
17313 proc} is available to report information about the process running
17314 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
17315 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
17316 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
17317 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
17318
17319 @table @code
17320 @kindex info proc
17321 @cindex process ID
17322 @item info proc
17323 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
17324 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
17325 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
17326 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
17327 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
17328 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
17329 executable file's absolute file name.
17330
17331 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
17332 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
17333 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
17334 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
17335 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
17336 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
17337
17338 @item info proc mappings
17339 @cindex memory address space mappings
17340 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
17341 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
17342 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
17343 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
17344 memory access rights to that range.
17345
17346 @item info proc stat
17347 @itemx info proc status
17348 @cindex process detailed status information
17349 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
17350 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
17351 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
17352 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
17353 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
17354 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
17355 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
17356
17357 @item info proc all
17358 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
17359 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
17360
17361 @ignore
17362 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
17363 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
17364 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
17365 @kindex info proc times
17366 @item info proc times
17367 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
17368 its children.
17369
17370 @kindex info proc id
17371 @item info proc id
17372 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
17373 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
17374 @end ignore
17375
17376 @item set procfs-trace
17377 @kindex set procfs-trace
17378 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
17379 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
17380
17381 @item show procfs-trace
17382 @kindex show procfs-trace
17383 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
17384
17385 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
17386 @kindex set procfs-file
17387 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
17388 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
17389 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
17390 standard output.
17391
17392 @item show procfs-file
17393 @kindex show procfs-file
17394 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
17395
17396 @item proc-trace-entry
17397 @itemx proc-trace-exit
17398 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
17399 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
17400 @kindex proc-trace-entry
17401 @kindex proc-trace-exit
17402 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
17403 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
17404 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
17405 from the @code{syscall} interface.
17406
17407 @item info pidlist
17408 @kindex info pidlist
17409 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
17410 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
17411 processes and all the threads within each process.
17412
17413 @item info meminfo
17414 @kindex info meminfo
17415 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
17416 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
17417 @end table
17418
17419 @node DJGPP Native
17420 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
17421 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
17422 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
17423 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
17424
17425 @cindex DPMI
17426 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
17427 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
17428 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
17429 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
17430
17431 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
17432 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
17433 subsection describes those commands.
17434
17435 @table @code
17436 @kindex info dos
17437 @item info dos
17438 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
17439 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17440
17441 @kindex sysinfo
17442 @cindex MS-DOS system info
17443 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
17444 @item info dos sysinfo
17445 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
17446 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
17447 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
17448
17449 @cindex GDT
17450 @cindex LDT
17451 @cindex IDT
17452 @cindex segment descriptor tables
17453 @cindex descriptor tables display
17454 @item info dos gdt
17455 @itemx info dos ldt
17456 @itemx info dos idt
17457 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
17458 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
17459 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
17460 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
17461 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
17462 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
17463 rights.
17464
17465 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
17466 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
17467 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
17468 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
17469 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
17470
17471 @cindex garbled pointers
17472 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
17473 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
17474 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
17475 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
17476 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
17477 debugged program's data segment:
17478
17479 @smallexample
17480 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
17481 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
17482 @end smallexample
17483
17484 @noindent
17485 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
17486 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
17487
17488 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
17489 @item info dos pde
17490 @itemx info dos pte
17491 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
17492 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
17493 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
17494 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
17495 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
17496 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
17497 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
17498 that is currently in use.
17499
17500 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
17501 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
17502 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
17503 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
17504 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
17505 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
17506 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
17507
17508 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
17509 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
17510 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
17511 controller.
17512
17513 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
17514
17515 @cindex physical address from linear address
17516 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
17517 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
17518 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
17519 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
17520 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
17521 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
17522 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
17523
17524 @smallexample
17525 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
17526 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
17527 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
17528 @end smallexample
17529
17530 @noindent
17531 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
17532 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
17533 attributes of that page.
17534
17535 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
17536 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
17537 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
17538 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
17539 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
17540 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
17541
17542 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
17543 transfer buffer:
17544
17545 @smallexample
17546 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
17547 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
17548 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
17549 @end smallexample
17550
17551 @noindent
17552 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
17553 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
17554 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
17555 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
17556 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
17557
17558 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
17559 @end table
17560
17561 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
17562 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
17563 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
17564 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
17565
17566 @table @code
17567 @kindex set com1base
17568 @kindex set com1irq
17569 @kindex set com2base
17570 @kindex set com2irq
17571 @kindex set com3base
17572 @kindex set com3irq
17573 @kindex set com4base
17574 @kindex set com4irq
17575 @item set com1base @var{addr}
17576 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
17577 port.
17578
17579 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
17580 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
17581 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
17582
17583 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
17584 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
17585 other 3 COM ports.
17586
17587 @kindex show com1base
17588 @kindex show com1irq
17589 @kindex show com2base
17590 @kindex show com2irq
17591 @kindex show com3base
17592 @kindex show com3irq
17593 @kindex show com4base
17594 @kindex show com4irq
17595 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
17596 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
17597 lines used by the COM ports.
17598
17599 @item info serial
17600 @kindex info serial
17601 @cindex DOS serial port status
17602 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
17603 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
17604 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
17605 counts of various errors encountered so far.
17606 @end table
17607
17608
17609 @node Cygwin Native
17610 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
17611 @cindex MS Windows debugging
17612 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
17613 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
17614
17615 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
17616 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
17617
17618 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
17619 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
17620 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
17621 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
17622 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
17623 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
17624 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
17625 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
17626
17627 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
17628 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
17629 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
17630
17631 @table @code
17632 @kindex info w32
17633 @item info w32
17634 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
17635 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17636
17637 @item info w32 selector
17638 This command displays information returned by
17639 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
17640 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
17641 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
17642 Without argument, this command displays information
17643 about the six segment registers.
17644
17645 @item info w32 thread-information-block
17646 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
17647 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
17648 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
17649
17650 @kindex info dll
17651 @item info dll
17652 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
17653
17654 @kindex dll-symbols
17655 @item dll-symbols
17656 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
17657 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
17658
17659 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
17660 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
17661 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
17662 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
17663 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
17664 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
17665 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
17666 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
17667 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
17668 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
17669 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
17670
17671 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
17672 @item show cygwin-exceptions
17673 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
17674 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
17675
17676 @kindex set new-console
17677 @item set new-console @var{mode}
17678 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
17679 be started in a new console on next start.
17680 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
17681 be started in the same console as the debugger.
17682
17683 @kindex show new-console
17684 @item show new-console
17685 Displays whether a new console is used
17686 when the debuggee is started.
17687
17688 @kindex set new-group
17689 @item set new-group @var{mode}
17690 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
17691 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
17692 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
17693 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
17694
17695 @kindex show new-group
17696 @item show new-group
17697 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
17698
17699 @kindex set debugevents
17700 @item set debugevents
17701 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
17702 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
17703 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
17704 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
17705 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
17706
17707 @kindex set debugexec
17708 @item set debugexec
17709 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
17710 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
17711
17712 @kindex set debugexceptions
17713 @item set debugexceptions
17714 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
17715 debuggee seen by the debugger.
17716
17717 @kindex set debugmemory
17718 @item set debugmemory
17719 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
17720 and writes by the debugger.
17721
17722 @kindex set shell
17723 @item set shell
17724 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
17725 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
17726
17727 @kindex show shell
17728 @item show shell
17729 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
17730
17731 @end table
17732
17733 @menu
17734 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
17735 @end menu
17736
17737 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
17738 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
17739 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
17740 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
17741
17742 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
17743 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
17744 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
17745 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
17746 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
17747 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
17748 ``minimal symbols''.
17749
17750 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
17751 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
17752 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
17753 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
17754 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
17755 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
17756 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
17757 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
17758 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
17759 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
17760
17761 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
17762
17763 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
17764 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
17765 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
17766 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
17767 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
17768 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
17769 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
17770 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
17771 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
17772
17773 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
17774 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
17775 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
17776 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
17777 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
17778 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
17779
17780 @smallexample
17781 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
17782 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
17783
17784 Non-debugging symbols:
17785 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
17786 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
17787 @end smallexample
17788
17789 @smallexample
17790 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
17791 All functions matching regular expression "!":
17792
17793 Non-debugging symbols:
17794 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
17795 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
17796 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
17797 [etc...]
17798 @end smallexample
17799
17800 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
17801
17802 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
17803 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
17804 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
17805 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
17806 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
17807 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
17808 a function within a DLL without a running program.
17809
17810 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
17811 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
17812 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
17813 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
17814 problem:
17815
17816 @smallexample
17817 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
17818 $1 = 268572168
17819 @end smallexample
17820
17821 @smallexample
17822 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
17823 0x10021610: "\230y\""
17824 @end smallexample
17825
17826 And two possible solutions:
17827
17828 @smallexample
17829 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
17830 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17831 @end smallexample
17832
17833 @smallexample
17834 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
17835 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
17836 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
17837 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
17838 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
17839 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17840 @end smallexample
17841
17842 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
17843 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
17844 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
17845 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
17846 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
17847
17848 @smallexample
17849 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
17850 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
17851 @end smallexample
17852
17853 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
17854 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
17855 safe.
17856
17857 @node Hurd Native
17858 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
17859 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
17860
17861 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
17862 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
17863
17864 @table @code
17865 @item set signals
17866 @itemx set sigs
17867 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
17868 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17869 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
17870 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
17871 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
17872 @code{signals}.
17873
17874 @item show signals
17875 @itemx show sigs
17876 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
17877 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17878 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
17879
17880 @item set signal-thread
17881 @itemx set sigthread
17882 @kindex set signal-thread
17883 @kindex set sigthread
17884 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
17885 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
17886 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
17887 signal-thread}.
17888
17889 @item show signal-thread
17890 @itemx show sigthread
17891 @kindex show signal-thread
17892 @kindex show sigthread
17893 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
17894 delivered a signal.
17895
17896 @item set stopped
17897 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17898 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
17899 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
17900 continued by delivering a signal to it.
17901
17902 @item show stopped
17903 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17904 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
17905 stopped.
17906
17907 @item set exceptions
17908 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17909 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
17910 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
17911 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
17912 trapping on.
17913
17914 @item show exceptions
17915 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17916 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
17917
17918 @item set task pause
17919 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
17920 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17921 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17922 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
17923 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
17924 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
17925 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
17926 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
17927 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
17928
17929 @item show task pause
17930 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
17931 Show the current state of task suspension.
17932
17933 @item set task detach-suspend-count
17934 @cindex task suspend count
17935 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17936 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
17937 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
17938
17939 @item show task detach-suspend-count
17940 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
17941
17942 @item set task exception-port
17943 @itemx set task excp
17944 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17945 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
17946 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
17947 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
17948
17949 @item set noninvasive
17950 @cindex noninvasive task options
17951 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
17952 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
17953 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
17954 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
17955
17956 @item info send-rights
17957 @itemx info receive-rights
17958 @itemx info port-rights
17959 @itemx info port-sets
17960 @itemx info dead-names
17961 @itemx info ports
17962 @itemx info psets
17963 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17964 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17965 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17966 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17967 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17968 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
17969 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
17970 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
17971 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
17972
17973 @item set thread pause
17974 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
17975 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17976 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17977 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
17978 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
17979 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
17980 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
17981 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
17982 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
17983 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
17984 only the current thread.
17985
17986 @item show thread pause
17987 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
17988 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
17989
17990 @item set thread run
17991 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17992
17993 @item show thread run
17994 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17995
17996 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
17997 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17998 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17999 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
18000 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
18001 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
18002 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
18003
18004 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
18005 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
18006 detaching.
18007
18008 @item set thread exception-port
18009 @itemx set thread excp
18010 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
18011 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
18012 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
18013
18014 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
18015 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
18016 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
18017 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
18018
18019 @item set thread default
18020 @itemx show thread default
18021 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18022 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
18023 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
18024 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
18025 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
18026 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
18027 the non-default commands.
18028 @end table
18029
18030
18031 @node Neutrino
18032 @subsection QNX Neutrino
18033 @cindex QNX Neutrino
18034
18035 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
18036 Neutrino target:
18037
18038 @table @code
18039 @item set debug nto-debug
18040 @kindex set debug nto-debug
18041 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
18042 Neutrino support.
18043
18044 @item show debug nto-debug
18045 @kindex show debug nto-debug
18046 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
18047 @end table
18048
18049 @node Darwin
18050 @subsection Darwin
18051 @cindex Darwin
18052
18053 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
18054
18055 @table @code
18056 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
18057 @kindex set debug darwin
18058 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
18059 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
18060
18061 @item show debug darwin
18062 @kindex show debug darwin
18063 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
18064
18065 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
18066 @kindex set debug mach-o
18067 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
18068 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
18069 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
18070 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
18071 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
18072 usage.
18073
18074 @item show debug mach-o
18075 @kindex show debug mach-o
18076 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
18077
18078 @item set mach-exceptions on
18079 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
18080 @kindex set mach-exceptions
18081 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
18082 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
18083 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
18084 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
18085
18086 @item show mach-exceptions
18087 @kindex show mach-exceptions
18088 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
18089 @end table
18090
18091
18092 @node Embedded OS
18093 @section Embedded Operating Systems
18094
18095 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
18096 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
18097 architectures.
18098
18099 @menu
18100 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
18101 @end menu
18102
18103 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
18104 various real-time operating systems.
18105
18106 @node VxWorks
18107 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
18108
18109 @cindex VxWorks
18110
18111 @table @code
18112
18113 @kindex target vxworks
18114 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
18115 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
18116 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
18117
18118 @end table
18119
18120 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
18121 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
18122
18123 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
18124 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
18125 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
18126 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
18127 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
18128 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
18129 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
18130
18131 @table @code
18132 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
18133 @kindex vxworks-timeout
18134 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
18135 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
18136 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
18137 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
18138 of a thin network line.
18139 @end table
18140
18141 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
18142 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
18143 procedures.
18144
18145 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
18146 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
18147 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
18148 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
18149 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
18150 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
18151 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
18152 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
18153 manual.
18154 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
18155
18156 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
18157 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
18158 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
18159 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
18160
18161 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
18162
18163 @smallexample
18164 (vxgdb)
18165 @end smallexample
18166
18167 @menu
18168 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
18169 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
18170 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
18171 @end menu
18172
18173 @node VxWorks Connection
18174 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
18175
18176 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
18177 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
18178
18179 @smallexample
18180 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
18181 @end smallexample
18182
18183 @need 750
18184 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18185
18186 @smallexample
18187 Attaching remote machine across net...
18188 Connected to tt.
18189 @end smallexample
18190
18191 @need 1000
18192 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
18193 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
18194 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
18195 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
18196 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
18197
18198 @smallexample
18199 prog.o: No such file or directory.
18200 @end smallexample
18201
18202 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
18203 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
18204 command again.
18205
18206 @node VxWorks Download
18207 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
18208
18209 @cindex download to VxWorks
18210 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
18211 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
18212 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
18213 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
18214 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
18215 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
18216 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
18217 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
18218 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
18219 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
18220 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
18221 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
18222 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
18223 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
18224 program, type this on VxWorks:
18225
18226 @smallexample
18227 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
18228 @end smallexample
18229
18230 @noindent
18231 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18232
18233 @smallexample
18234 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
18235 (vxgdb) load prog.o
18236 @end smallexample
18237
18238 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
18239
18240 @smallexample
18241 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
18242 @end smallexample
18243
18244 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
18245 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
18246 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
18247 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
18248 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
18249 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
18250 table.)
18251
18252 @node VxWorks Attach
18253 @subsubsection Running Tasks
18254
18255 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
18256 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
18257 follows:
18258
18259 @smallexample
18260 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
18261 @end smallexample
18262
18263 @noindent
18264 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
18265 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
18266 the time of attachment.
18267
18268 @node Embedded Processors
18269 @section Embedded Processors
18270
18271 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
18272 configurations.
18273
18274 @cindex send command to simulator
18275 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
18276 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
18277
18278 @table @code
18279 @item sim @var{command}
18280 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
18281 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
18282 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
18283 acceptable commands.
18284 @end table
18285
18286
18287 @menu
18288 * ARM:: ARM RDI
18289 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
18290 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
18291 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
18292 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
18293 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
18294 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
18295 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
18296 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
18297 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
18298 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
18299 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
18300 * CRIS:: CRIS
18301 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
18302 @end menu
18303
18304 @node ARM
18305 @subsection ARM
18306 @cindex ARM RDI
18307
18308 @table @code
18309 @kindex target rdi
18310 @item target rdi @var{dev}
18311 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
18312 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
18313 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
18314
18315 @kindex target rdp
18316 @item target rdp @var{dev}
18317 ARM Demon monitor.
18318
18319 @end table
18320
18321 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
18322
18323 @table @code
18324 @item set arm disassembler
18325 @kindex set arm
18326 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
18327 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
18328
18329 @item show arm disassembler
18330 @kindex show arm
18331 Show the current disassembly style.
18332
18333 @item set arm apcs32
18334 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
18335 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
18336
18337 @item show arm apcs32
18338 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
18339
18340 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
18341 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
18342 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
18343
18344 @table @code
18345 @item auto
18346 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
18347 @item softfpa
18348 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
18349 processors.
18350 @item fpa
18351 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
18352 @item softvfp
18353 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
18354 @item vfp
18355 VFP co-processor.
18356 @end table
18357
18358 @item show arm fpu
18359 Show the current type of the FPU.
18360
18361 @item set arm abi
18362 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
18363
18364 @item show arm abi
18365 Show the currently used ABI.
18366
18367 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18368 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
18369 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
18370 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
18371 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
18372 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
18373 register).
18374
18375 @item show arm fallback-mode
18376 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
18377
18378 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18379 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
18380 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
18381 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
18382 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
18383
18384 @item show arm force-mode
18385 Show the current forced instruction mode.
18386
18387 @item set debug arm
18388 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
18389 target support subsystem.
18390
18391 @item show debug arm
18392 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
18393 @end table
18394
18395 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
18396 using the RDI interface:
18397
18398 @table @code
18399 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18400 @kindex rdilogfile
18401 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
18402 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
18403 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
18404 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
18405 @file{rdi.log}.
18406
18407 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
18408 @kindex rdilogenable
18409 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
18410 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
18411 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
18412 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
18413 are logged to a file.
18414
18415 @item set rdiromatzero
18416 @kindex set rdiromatzero
18417 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
18418 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
18419 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
18420 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
18421 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
18422
18423 @item show rdiromatzero
18424 @kindex show rdiromatzero
18425 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
18426
18427 @item set rdiheartbeat
18428 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
18429 @cindex RDI heartbeat
18430 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
18431 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
18432 well as the Angel monitor.
18433
18434 @item show rdiheartbeat
18435 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
18436 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
18437 @end table
18438
18439 @table @code
18440 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
18441 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
18442
18443 @table @code
18444 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
18445 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
18446 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
18447 The default value is @code{all}.
18448
18449 @table @code
18450 @item none
18451 @item demon
18452 @item angel
18453 @item redboot
18454 @item all
18455 @end table
18456 @end table
18457 @end table
18458
18459 @node M32R/D
18460 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
18461
18462 @table @code
18463 @kindex target m32r
18464 @item target m32r @var{dev}
18465 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
18466
18467 @kindex target m32rsdi
18468 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
18469 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
18470 @end table
18471
18472 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
18473
18474 @table @code
18475 @item set download-path @var{path}
18476 @kindex set download-path
18477 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
18478 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18479
18480 @item show download-path
18481 @kindex show download-path
18482 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18483
18484 @item set board-address @var{addr}
18485 @kindex set board-address
18486 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
18487 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
18488
18489 @item show board-address
18490 @kindex show board-address
18491 Show the current IP address of the target board.
18492
18493 @item set server-address @var{addr}
18494 @kindex set server-address
18495 @cindex download server address (M32R)
18496 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
18497 host machine.
18498
18499 @item show server-address
18500 @kindex show server-address
18501 Display the IP address of the download server.
18502
18503 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18504 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
18505 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
18506 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
18507 executable file is uploaded.
18508
18509 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18510 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
18511 Test the @code{upload} command.
18512 @end table
18513
18514 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
18515
18516 @table @code
18517 @item sdireset
18518 @kindex sdireset
18519 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
18520 This command resets the SDI connection.
18521
18522 @item sdistatus
18523 @kindex sdistatus
18524 This command shows the SDI connection status.
18525
18526 @item debug_chaos
18527 @kindex debug_chaos
18528 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
18529 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
18530
18531 @item use_debug_dma
18532 @kindex use_debug_dma
18533 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
18534
18535 @item use_mon_code
18536 @kindex use_mon_code
18537 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
18538
18539 @item use_ib_break
18540 @kindex use_ib_break
18541 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
18542
18543 @item use_dbt_break
18544 @kindex use_dbt_break
18545 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
18546 @end table
18547
18548 @node M68K
18549 @subsection M68k
18550
18551 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
18552 target command for the following ROM monitor.
18553
18554 @table @code
18555
18556 @kindex target dbug
18557 @item target dbug @var{dev}
18558 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
18559
18560 @end table
18561
18562 @node MicroBlaze
18563 @subsection MicroBlaze
18564 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
18565 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
18566
18567 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
18568 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
18569 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
18570 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
18571 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
18572 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
18573 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
18574 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
18575 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
18576 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
18577 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
18578
18579 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
18580
18581 @table @code
18582 @item target remote :1234
18583 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
18584 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
18585
18586 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
18587 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
18588 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
18589
18590 @item load
18591 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
18592
18593 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
18594 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
18595
18596 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
18597 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
18598 @end table
18599
18600 @node MIPS Embedded
18601 @subsection MIPS Embedded
18602
18603 @cindex MIPS boards
18604 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
18605 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
18606 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
18607
18608 @need 1000
18609 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
18610
18611 @table @code
18612 @item target mips @var{port}
18613 @kindex target mips @var{port}
18614 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
18615 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
18616 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
18617 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
18618 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
18619 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
18620
18621 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
18622 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
18623 debugger:
18624
18625 @smallexample
18626 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
18627 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
18628 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
18629 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
18630 (@value{GDBP}) run
18631 @end smallexample
18632
18633 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
18634 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
18635 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
18636 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
18637 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
18638
18639 @item target pmon @var{port}
18640 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
18641 PMON ROM monitor.
18642
18643 @item target ddb @var{port}
18644 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
18645 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
18646
18647 @item target lsi @var{port}
18648 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
18649 LSI variant of PMON.
18650
18651 @kindex target r3900
18652 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
18653 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
18654
18655 @kindex target array
18656 @item target array @var{dev}
18657 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
18658
18659 @end table
18660
18661
18662 @noindent
18663 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
18664
18665 @table @code
18666 @item set mipsfpu double
18667 @itemx set mipsfpu single
18668 @itemx set mipsfpu none
18669 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
18670 @itemx show mipsfpu
18671 @kindex set mipsfpu
18672 @kindex show mipsfpu
18673 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
18674 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
18675 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
18676 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
18677 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
18678 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
18679 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
18680 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
18681 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
18682 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
18683 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
18684 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
18685 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
18686
18687 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
18688 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
18689 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
18690
18691 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
18692 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
18693
18694 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
18695 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
18696 @itemx show timeout
18697 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
18698 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
18699 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
18700 @kindex set timeout
18701 @kindex show timeout
18702 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
18703 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
18704 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
18705 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
18706 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
18707 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
18708 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
18709 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
18710 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
18711 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
18712
18713 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
18714 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
18715 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
18716 to run before stopping.
18717
18718 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
18719 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18720 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
18721 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
18722 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
18723 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
18724
18725 @item show syn-garbage-limit
18726 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18727 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
18728 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
18729
18730 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
18731 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18732 @cindex remote monitor prompt
18733 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
18734 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
18735 @table @asis
18736 @item pmon target
18737 @samp{PMON}
18738 @item ddb target
18739 @samp{NEC010}
18740 @item lsi target
18741 @samp{PMON>}
18742 @end table
18743
18744 @item show monitor-prompt
18745 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18746 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
18747 remote monitor.
18748
18749 @item set monitor-warnings
18750 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18751 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
18752 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
18753 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
18754 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
18755
18756 @item show monitor-warnings
18757 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18758 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
18759
18760 @item pmon @var{command}
18761 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
18762 @cindex send PMON command
18763 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
18764 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
18765 @end table
18766
18767 @node OpenRISC 1000
18768 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
18769 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
18770
18771 @cindex or1k boards
18772 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
18773 about platform and commands.
18774
18775 @table @code
18776
18777 @kindex target jtag
18778 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
18779
18780 Connects to remote JTAG server.
18781 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
18782 connected via parallel port to the board.
18783
18784 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
18785
18786 @kindex or1ksim
18787 @item or1ksim @var{command}
18788 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
18789 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
18790
18791 @kindex info or1k spr
18792 @item info or1k spr
18793 Displays spr groups.
18794
18795 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
18796 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
18797 Displays register names in selected group.
18798
18799 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
18800 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
18801 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
18802 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
18803 Shows information about specified spr register.
18804
18805 @kindex spr
18806 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
18807 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
18808 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
18809 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
18810 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
18811 @end table
18812
18813 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
18814 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
18815 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
18816 triggers can be set using:
18817 @table @code
18818 @item $LEA/$LDATA
18819 Load effective address/data
18820 @item $SEA/$SDATA
18821 Store effective address/data
18822 @item $AEA/$ADATA
18823 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
18824 @item $FETCH
18825 Fetch data
18826 @end table
18827
18828 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
18829 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
18830
18831 @code{htrace} commands:
18832 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
18833 @table @code
18834 @kindex hwatch
18835 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
18836 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
18837 or Data. For example:
18838
18839 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18840
18841 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18842
18843 @kindex htrace
18844 @item htrace info
18845 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
18846
18847 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
18848 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
18849
18850 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
18851 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
18852
18853 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
18854 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
18855
18856 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
18857 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
18858 triggered.
18859
18860 @item htrace enable
18861 @itemx htrace disable
18862 Enables/disables the HW trace.
18863
18864 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
18865 Clears currently recorded trace data.
18866
18867 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
18868 will be written there.
18869
18870 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
18871 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
18872
18873 @item htrace mode continuous
18874 Set continuous trace mode.
18875
18876 @item htrace mode suspend
18877 Set suspend trace mode.
18878
18879 @end table
18880
18881 @node PowerPC Embedded
18882 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
18883
18884 @cindex DVC register
18885 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
18886 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
18887
18888 @smallexample
18889 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
18890 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
18891 @end smallexample
18892
18893 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
18894 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
18895 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
18896 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
18897 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
18898 or newer.
18899
18900 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
18901 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
18902 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
18903 watching variables of scalar types.
18904
18905 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
18906 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
18907
18908 @smallexample
18909 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
18910 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
18911 @end smallexample
18912
18913 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
18914 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
18915
18916 @cindex ranged breakpoint
18917 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
18918 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
18919 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
18920 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
18921 use the @code{break-range} command.
18922
18923 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
18924
18925 @table @code
18926 @kindex break-range
18927 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
18928 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
18929 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
18930 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
18931 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
18932 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
18933 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
18934 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
18935 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
18936
18937 @kindex set powerpc
18938 @item set powerpc soft-float
18939 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
18940 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
18941 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
18942 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18943
18944 @item set powerpc vector-abi
18945 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
18946 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
18947 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
18948 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
18949 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
18950 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
18951 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18952
18953 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
18954 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
18955 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
18956 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
18957 address of its first byte.
18958
18959 @kindex target dink32
18960 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
18961 DINK32 ROM monitor.
18962
18963 @kindex target ppcbug
18964 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
18965 @kindex target ppcbug1
18966 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
18967 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
18968
18969 @kindex target sds
18970 @item target sds @var{dev}
18971 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
18972 @end table
18973
18974 @cindex SDS protocol
18975 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
18976 by @value{GDBN}:
18977
18978 @table @code
18979 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
18980 @kindex set sdstimeout
18981 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
18982 default is 2 seconds.
18983
18984 @item show sdstimeout
18985 @kindex show sdstimeout
18986 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
18987
18988 @item sds @var{command}
18989 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
18990 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
18991 @end table
18992
18993
18994 @node PA
18995 @subsection HP PA Embedded
18996
18997 @table @code
18998
18999 @kindex target op50n
19000 @item target op50n @var{dev}
19001 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
19002
19003 @kindex target w89k
19004 @item target w89k @var{dev}
19005 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
19006
19007 @end table
19008
19009 @node Sparclet
19010 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
19011
19012 @cindex Sparclet
19013
19014 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
19015 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
19016 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
19017 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
19018 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
19019
19020 @table @code
19021 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
19022 @kindex remotetimeout
19023 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
19024 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
19025 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
19026 @end table
19027
19028 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
19029 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
19030 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
19031 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
19032 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
19033
19034 @smallexample
19035 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
19036 @end smallexample
19037
19038 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
19039
19040 @smallexample
19041 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
19042 @end smallexample
19043
19044 @cindex running, on Sparclet
19045 Once you have set
19046 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
19047 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
19048 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
19049
19050 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
19051
19052 @smallexample
19053 (gdbslet)
19054 @end smallexample
19055
19056 @menu
19057 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
19058 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
19059 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
19060 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
19061 @end menu
19062
19063 @node Sparclet File
19064 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
19065
19066 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
19067
19068 @smallexample
19069 (gdbslet) file prog
19070 @end smallexample
19071
19072 @need 1000
19073 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
19074 @value{GDBN} locates
19075 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
19076 path.
19077 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
19078 files will be searched as well.
19079 @value{GDBN} locates
19080 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
19081 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
19082 If it fails
19083 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
19084
19085 @smallexample
19086 prog: No such file or directory.
19087 @end smallexample
19088
19089 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
19090 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
19091 @code{target} command again.
19092
19093 @node Sparclet Connection
19094 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
19095
19096 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
19097 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
19098
19099 @smallexample
19100 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
19101 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
19102 main () at ../prog.c:3
19103 @end smallexample
19104
19105 @need 750
19106 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
19107
19108 @smallexample
19109 Connected to ttya.
19110 @end smallexample
19111
19112 @node Sparclet Download
19113 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
19114
19115 @cindex download to Sparclet
19116 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
19117 you can use the @value{GDBN}
19118 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
19119 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
19120 command.
19121 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
19122 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
19123 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
19124 of each of the file's sections.
19125 For instance, if the program
19126 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
19127 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
19128
19129 @smallexample
19130 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
19131 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
19132 @end smallexample
19133
19134 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
19135 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
19136 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
19137
19138 @node Sparclet Execution
19139 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
19140
19141 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
19142 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
19143 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
19144 manual for the list of commands.
19145
19146 @smallexample
19147 (gdbslet) b main
19148 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
19149 (gdbslet) run
19150 Starting program: prog
19151 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
19152 3 char *symarg = 0;
19153 (gdbslet) step
19154 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
19155 (gdbslet)
19156 @end smallexample
19157
19158 @node Sparclite
19159 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
19160
19161 @table @code
19162
19163 @kindex target sparclite
19164 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
19165 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
19166 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
19167 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
19168 remote protocol.
19169
19170 @end table
19171
19172 @node Z8000
19173 @subsection Zilog Z8000
19174
19175 @cindex Z8000
19176 @cindex simulator, Z8000
19177 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
19178
19179 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
19180 a Z8000 simulator.
19181
19182 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
19183 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
19184 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
19185 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
19186
19187 @table @code
19188 @item target sim @var{args}
19189 @kindex sim
19190 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
19191 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
19192 options, specify them via @var{args}.
19193 @end table
19194
19195 @noindent
19196 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
19197 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
19198 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
19199 to run your program, and so on.
19200
19201 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
19202 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
19203 additional items of information as specially named registers:
19204
19205 @table @code
19206
19207 @item cycles
19208 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
19209
19210 @item insts
19211 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
19212
19213 @item time
19214 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
19215
19216 @end table
19217
19218 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
19219 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
19220 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
19221 simulated clock ticks.
19222
19223 @node AVR
19224 @subsection Atmel AVR
19225 @cindex AVR
19226
19227 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
19228 following AVR-specific commands:
19229
19230 @table @code
19231 @item info io_registers
19232 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
19233 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
19234 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
19235 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
19236 @end table
19237
19238 @node CRIS
19239 @subsection CRIS
19240 @cindex CRIS
19241
19242 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
19243 following CRIS-specific commands:
19244
19245 @table @code
19246 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
19247 @cindex CRIS version
19248 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
19249 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
19250 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
19251
19252 @item show cris-version
19253 Show the current CRIS version.
19254
19255 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
19256 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
19257 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
19258 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
19259 @code{R59}.
19260
19261 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
19262 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
19263
19264 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
19265 @cindex CRIS mode
19266 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
19267 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
19268 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
19269
19270 @item show cris-mode
19271 Show the current CRIS mode.
19272 @end table
19273
19274 @node Super-H
19275 @subsection Renesas Super-H
19276 @cindex Super-H
19277
19278 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
19279 commands:
19280
19281 @table @code
19282 @item regs
19283 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
19284 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
19285
19286 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
19287 @kindex set sh calling-convention
19288 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
19289 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
19290 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
19291 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
19292 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
19293 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
19294 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
19295 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
19296 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
19297 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
19298
19299 @item show sh calling-convention
19300 @kindex show sh calling-convention
19301 Show the current calling convention setting.
19302
19303 @end table
19304
19305
19306 @node Architectures
19307 @section Architectures
19308
19309 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
19310 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
19311
19312 @menu
19313 * i386::
19314 * A29K::
19315 * Alpha::
19316 * MIPS::
19317 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
19318 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19319 * PowerPC::
19320 @end menu
19321
19322 @node i386
19323 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
19324
19325 @table @code
19326 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
19327 @kindex set struct-convention
19328 @cindex struct return convention
19329 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
19330 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
19331 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
19332 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
19333 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
19334 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
19335 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
19336 be returned in a register.
19337
19338 @item show struct-convention
19339 @kindex show struct-convention
19340 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
19341 from functions.
19342 @end table
19343
19344 @node A29K
19345 @subsection A29K
19346
19347 @table @code
19348
19349 @kindex set rstack_high_address
19350 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
19351 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
19352 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
19353 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
19354 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
19355 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
19356 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
19357 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
19358 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
19359 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
19360 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
19361 hexadecimal.
19362
19363 @kindex show rstack_high_address
19364 @item show rstack_high_address
19365 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
19366 processors.
19367
19368 @end table
19369
19370 @node Alpha
19371 @subsection Alpha
19372
19373 See the following section.
19374
19375 @node MIPS
19376 @subsection MIPS
19377
19378 @cindex stack on Alpha
19379 @cindex stack on MIPS
19380 @cindex Alpha stack
19381 @cindex MIPS stack
19382 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
19383 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
19384 find the beginning of a function.
19385
19386 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
19387 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
19388 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
19389 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
19390 commands:
19391
19392 @table @code
19393 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
19394 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
19395 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
19396 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
19397 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
19398 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
19399 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
19400 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
19401
19402 @item show heuristic-fence-post
19403 Display the current limit.
19404 @end table
19405
19406 @noindent
19407 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
19408 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
19409
19410 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
19411 programs:
19412
19413 @table @code
19414 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
19415 @kindex set mips abi
19416 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
19417 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
19418 values of @var{arg} are:
19419
19420 @table @samp
19421 @item auto
19422 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
19423 default).
19424 @item o32
19425 @item o64
19426 @item n32
19427 @item n64
19428 @item eabi32
19429 @item eabi64
19430 @item auto
19431 @end table
19432
19433 @item show mips abi
19434 @kindex show mips abi
19435 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
19436
19437 @item set mipsfpu
19438 @itemx show mipsfpu
19439 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
19440
19441 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
19442 @kindex set mips mask-address
19443 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
19444 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
19445 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
19446 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
19447 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
19448
19449 @item show mips mask-address
19450 @kindex show mips mask-address
19451 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
19452 not.
19453
19454 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19455 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19456 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
19457 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
19458 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
19459 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
19460
19461 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19462 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19463 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
19464
19465 @item set debug mips
19466 @kindex set debug mips
19467 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
19468 target code in @value{GDBN}.
19469
19470 @item show debug mips
19471 @kindex show debug mips
19472 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
19473 @end table
19474
19475
19476 @node HPPA
19477 @subsection HPPA
19478 @cindex HPPA support
19479
19480 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
19481 following special commands:
19482
19483 @table @code
19484 @item set debug hppa
19485 @kindex set debug hppa
19486 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
19487 messages are to be displayed.
19488
19489 @item show debug hppa
19490 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
19491
19492 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
19493 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
19494 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
19495 given @var{address}.
19496
19497 @end table
19498
19499
19500 @node SPU
19501 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19502 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
19503 @cindex SPU
19504
19505 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
19506 it provides the following special commands:
19507
19508 @table @code
19509 @item info spu event
19510 @kindex info spu
19511 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
19512 and pending event status.
19513
19514 @item info spu signal
19515 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
19516 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
19517 notification channels.
19518
19519 @item info spu mailbox
19520 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
19521 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
19522 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
19523
19524 @item info spu dma
19525 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19526 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19527 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19528
19529 @item info spu proxydma
19530 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19531 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19532 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19533
19534 @end table
19535
19536 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
19537 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
19538 special commands:
19539
19540 @table @code
19541 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
19542 @kindex set spu
19543 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
19544 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
19545 function. The default is @code{off}.
19546
19547 @item show spu stop-on-load
19548 @kindex show spu
19549 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
19550
19551 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
19552 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
19553 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
19554 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
19555 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
19556 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
19557
19558 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
19559 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
19560
19561 @end table
19562
19563 @node PowerPC
19564 @subsection PowerPC
19565 @cindex PowerPC architecture
19566
19567 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
19568 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
19569 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
19570 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
19571 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
19572
19573 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
19574 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
19575 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
19576
19577 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
19578 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
19579
19580
19581 @node Controlling GDB
19582 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
19583
19584 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
19585 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
19586 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
19587 described here.
19588
19589 @menu
19590 * Prompt:: Prompt
19591 * Editing:: Command editing
19592 * Command History:: Command history
19593 * Screen Size:: Screen size
19594 * Numbers:: Numbers
19595 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
19596 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
19597 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
19598 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
19599 @end menu
19600
19601 @node Prompt
19602 @section Prompt
19603
19604 @cindex prompt
19605
19606 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
19607 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
19608 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
19609 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
19610 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
19611 which one you are talking to.
19612
19613 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
19614 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
19615 or a prompt that does not.
19616
19617 @table @code
19618 @kindex set prompt
19619 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
19620 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
19621
19622 @kindex show prompt
19623 @item show prompt
19624 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
19625 @end table
19626
19627 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
19628 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
19629 are:
19630
19631 @table @code
19632 @kindex set extended-prompt
19633 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
19634 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
19635 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
19636 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
19637 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
19638 is displayed.
19639
19640 For example:
19641
19642 @smallexample
19643 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
19644 @end smallexample
19645
19646 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
19647 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
19648
19649 @kindex show extended-prompt
19650 @item show extended-prompt
19651 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
19652 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
19653 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
19654 @end table
19655
19656 @node Editing
19657 @section Command Editing
19658 @cindex readline
19659 @cindex command line editing
19660
19661 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
19662 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
19663 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
19664 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
19665 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
19666 debugging sessions.
19667
19668 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
19669 command @code{set}.
19670
19671 @table @code
19672 @kindex set editing
19673 @cindex editing
19674 @item set editing
19675 @itemx set editing on
19676 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
19677
19678 @item set editing off
19679 Disable command line editing.
19680
19681 @kindex show editing
19682 @item show editing
19683 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
19684 @end table
19685
19686 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19687 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
19688 @end ifset
19689 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19690 @xref{Command Line Editing},
19691 @end ifclear
19692 for more details about the Readline
19693 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
19694 encouraged to read that chapter.
19695
19696 @node Command History
19697 @section Command History
19698 @cindex command history
19699
19700 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
19701 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
19702 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
19703 history facility.
19704
19705 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
19706 package, to provide the history facility.
19707 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19708 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
19709 @end ifset
19710 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19711 @xref{Using History Interactively},
19712 @end ifclear
19713 for the detailed description of the History library.
19714
19715 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
19716 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
19717 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
19718 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
19719 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
19720 pressed on a line by itself.
19721
19722 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
19723 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
19724 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
19725 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
19726
19727 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
19728 history.
19729
19730 @table @code
19731 @cindex history substitution
19732 @cindex history file
19733 @kindex set history filename
19734 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
19735 @item set history filename @var{fname}
19736 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
19737 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
19738 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
19739 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
19740 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
19741 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
19742 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
19743 is not set.
19744
19745 @cindex save command history
19746 @kindex set history save
19747 @item set history save
19748 @itemx set history save on
19749 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
19750 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
19751
19752 @item set history save off
19753 Stop recording command history in a file.
19754
19755 @cindex history size
19756 @kindex set history size
19757 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
19758 @item set history size @var{size}
19759 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
19760 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
19761 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
19762 @end table
19763
19764 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
19765 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19766 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
19767 @end ifset
19768 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19769 @xref{Event Designators},
19770 @end ifclear
19771 for more details.
19772
19773 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
19774 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
19775 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
19776 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
19777 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
19778 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
19779 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
19780 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
19781
19782 The commands to control history expansion are:
19783
19784 @table @code
19785 @item set history expansion on
19786 @itemx set history expansion
19787 @kindex set history expansion
19788 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
19789
19790 @item set history expansion off
19791 Disable history expansion.
19792
19793 @c @group
19794 @kindex show history
19795 @item show history
19796 @itemx show history filename
19797 @itemx show history save
19798 @itemx show history size
19799 @itemx show history expansion
19800 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
19801 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
19802 @c @end group
19803 @end table
19804
19805 @table @code
19806 @kindex show commands
19807 @cindex show last commands
19808 @cindex display command history
19809 @item show commands
19810 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
19811
19812 @item show commands @var{n}
19813 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
19814
19815 @item show commands +
19816 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
19817 @end table
19818
19819 @node Screen Size
19820 @section Screen Size
19821 @cindex size of screen
19822 @cindex pauses in output
19823
19824 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
19825 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
19826 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
19827 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
19828 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
19829 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
19830 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
19831 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
19832
19833 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
19834 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
19835 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
19836 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
19837 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
19838 width} commands:
19839
19840 @table @code
19841 @kindex set height
19842 @kindex set width
19843 @kindex show width
19844 @kindex show height
19845 @item set height @var{lpp}
19846 @itemx show height
19847 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
19848 @itemx show width
19849 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
19850 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
19851 commands display the current settings.
19852
19853 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
19854 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
19855 file or to an editor buffer.
19856
19857 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
19858 from wrapping its output.
19859
19860 @item set pagination on
19861 @itemx set pagination off
19862 @kindex set pagination
19863 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
19864 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
19865 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
19866 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
19867
19868 @item show pagination
19869 @kindex show pagination
19870 Show the current pagination mode.
19871 @end table
19872
19873 @node Numbers
19874 @section Numbers
19875 @cindex number representation
19876 @cindex entering numbers
19877
19878 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
19879 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
19880 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
19881 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
19882 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
19883 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
19884 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
19885 both input and output with the commands described below.
19886
19887 @table @code
19888 @kindex set input-radix
19889 @item set input-radix @var{base}
19890 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
19891 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19892 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
19893 example, any of
19894
19895 @smallexample
19896 set input-radix 012
19897 set input-radix 10.
19898 set input-radix 0xa
19899 @end smallexample
19900
19901 @noindent
19902 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
19903 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
19904 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
19905 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
19906 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
19907 change the radix.
19908
19909 @kindex set output-radix
19910 @item set output-radix @var{base}
19911 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
19912 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19913 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
19914
19915 @kindex show input-radix
19916 @item show input-radix
19917 Display the current default base for numeric input.
19918
19919 @kindex show output-radix
19920 @item show output-radix
19921 Display the current default base for numeric display.
19922
19923 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
19924 @itemx show radix
19925 @kindex set radix
19926 @kindex show radix
19927 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
19928 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
19929 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
19930 default value of 10.
19931
19932 @end table
19933
19934 @node ABI
19935 @section Configuring the Current ABI
19936
19937 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
19938 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
19939 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
19940 current ABI.
19941
19942 @cindex OS ABI
19943 @kindex set osabi
19944 @kindex show osabi
19945
19946 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
19947 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
19948 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
19949 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
19950 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
19951 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
19952 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
19953 platform provides.
19954
19955 @table @code
19956 @item show osabi
19957 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
19958
19959 @item set osabi
19960 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
19961
19962 @item set osabi @var{abi}
19963 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
19964 @end table
19965
19966 @cindex float promotion
19967
19968 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
19969 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
19970 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
19971 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
19972 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
19973 @code{double} and then passed.
19974
19975 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
19976 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
19977 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
19978
19979 @table @code
19980 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
19981 @item set coerce-float-to-double
19982 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
19983 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
19984 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
19985
19986 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
19987 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
19988 functions.
19989
19990 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
19991 @item show coerce-float-to-double
19992 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
19993 @end table
19994
19995 @kindex set cp-abi
19996 @kindex show cp-abi
19997 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
19998 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
19999 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
20000 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
20001 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
20002 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
20003 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
20004 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
20005 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
20006 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
20007 ``auto''.
20008
20009 @table @code
20010 @item show cp-abi
20011 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
20012
20013 @item set cp-abi
20014 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
20015
20016 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
20017 @itemx set cp-abi auto
20018 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
20019 @end table
20020
20021 @node Messages/Warnings
20022 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
20023
20024 @cindex verbose operation
20025 @cindex optional warnings
20026 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
20027 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
20028 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
20029 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
20030
20031 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
20032 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
20033 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
20034
20035 @table @code
20036 @kindex set verbose
20037 @item set verbose on
20038 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
20039
20040 @item set verbose off
20041 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
20042
20043 @kindex show verbose
20044 @item show verbose
20045 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
20046 @end table
20047
20048 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
20049 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
20050 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
20051 Symbol Files}).
20052
20053 @table @code
20054
20055 @kindex set complaints
20056 @item set complaints @var{limit}
20057 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
20058 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
20059 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
20060 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
20061
20062 @kindex show complaints
20063 @item show complaints
20064 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
20065
20066 @end table
20067
20068 @anchor{confirmation requests}
20069 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
20070 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
20071 you try to run a program which is already running:
20072
20073 @smallexample
20074 (@value{GDBP}) run
20075 The program being debugged has been started already.
20076 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
20077 @end smallexample
20078
20079 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
20080 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
20081
20082 @table @code
20083
20084 @kindex set confirm
20085 @cindex flinching
20086 @cindex confirmation
20087 @cindex stupid questions
20088 @item set confirm off
20089 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
20090 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
20091 automatically disables confirmation requests.
20092
20093 @item set confirm on
20094 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
20095
20096 @kindex show confirm
20097 @item show confirm
20098 Displays state of confirmation requests.
20099
20100 @end table
20101
20102 @cindex command tracing
20103 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
20104 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
20105 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
20106 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
20107
20108 @table @code
20109 @kindex set trace-commands
20110 @cindex command scripts, debugging
20111 @item set trace-commands on
20112 Enable command tracing.
20113 @item set trace-commands off
20114 Disable command tracing.
20115 @item show trace-commands
20116 Display the current state of command tracing.
20117 @end table
20118
20119 @node Debugging Output
20120 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
20121 @cindex optional debugging messages
20122
20123 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
20124 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
20125 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
20126 section documents those commands.
20127
20128 @table @code
20129 @kindex set exec-done-display
20130 @item set exec-done-display
20131 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
20132 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
20133 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
20134 @kindex show exec-done-display
20135 @item show exec-done-display
20136 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
20137 notification.
20138 @kindex set debug
20139 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
20140 @cindex architecture debugging info
20141 @item set debug arch
20142 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
20143 @kindex show debug
20144 @item show debug arch
20145 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
20146 @item set debug aix-thread
20147 @cindex AIX threads
20148 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
20149 module.
20150 @item show debug aix-thread
20151 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
20152 @item set debug check-physname
20153 @cindex physname
20154 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
20155 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
20156 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
20157 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
20158 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
20159 both ways and display any discrepancies.
20160 @item show debug check-physname
20161 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
20162 @item set debug dwarf2-die
20163 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
20164 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
20165 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
20166 A value of zero turns off the display.
20167 @item show debug dwarf2-die
20168 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
20169 @item set debug displaced
20170 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
20171 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
20172 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
20173 @item show debug displaced
20174 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
20175 related to displaced stepping.
20176 @item set debug event
20177 @cindex event debugging info
20178 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
20179 default is off.
20180 @item show debug event
20181 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
20182 info.
20183 @item set debug expression
20184 @cindex expression debugging info
20185 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
20186 expression parsing. The default is off.
20187 @item show debug expression
20188 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
20189 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
20190 @item set debug frame
20191 @cindex frame debugging info
20192 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
20193 default is off.
20194 @item show debug frame
20195 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
20196 info.
20197 @item set debug gnu-nat
20198 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
20199 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
20200 @item show debug gnu-nat
20201 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
20202 @item set debug infrun
20203 @cindex inferior debugging info
20204 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
20205 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
20206 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
20207 @item show debug infrun
20208 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
20209 @item set debug jit
20210 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
20211 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
20212 @item show debug jit
20213 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
20214 @item set debug lin-lwp
20215 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
20216 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
20217 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
20218 @item show debug lin-lwp
20219 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
20220 @item set debug observer
20221 @cindex observer debugging info
20222 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
20223 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
20224 @item show debug observer
20225 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
20226 @item set debug overload
20227 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
20228 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
20229 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
20230 is off.
20231 @item show debug overload
20232 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
20233 debugging info.
20234 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
20235 @cindex debug expression parser
20236 @item set debug parser
20237 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
20238 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
20239 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
20240 details. The default is off.
20241 @item show debug parser
20242 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
20243 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
20244 @cindex serial connections, debugging
20245 @cindex debug remote protocol
20246 @cindex remote protocol debugging
20247 @cindex display remote packets
20248 @item set debug remote
20249 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
20250 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
20251 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
20252 @item show debug remote
20253 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
20254 @item set debug serial
20255 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
20256 default is off.
20257 @item show debug serial
20258 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
20259 info.
20260 @item set debug solib-frv
20261 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
20262 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
20263 @item show debug solib-frv
20264 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
20265 messages.
20266 @item set debug target
20267 @cindex target debugging info
20268 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
20269 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
20270 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
20271 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
20272 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
20273 @item show debug target
20274 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
20275 info.
20276 @item set debug timestamp
20277 @cindex timestampping debugging info
20278 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
20279 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
20280 message.
20281 @item show debug timestamp
20282 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
20283 debugging info.
20284 @item set debugvarobj
20285 @cindex variable object debugging info
20286 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
20287 info. The default is off.
20288 @item show debugvarobj
20289 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
20290 debugging info.
20291 @item set debug xml
20292 @cindex XML parser debugging
20293 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
20294 @item show debug xml
20295 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
20296 @end table
20297
20298 @node Other Misc Settings
20299 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
20300 @cindex miscellaneous settings
20301
20302 @table @code
20303 @kindex set interactive-mode
20304 @item set interactive-mode
20305 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
20306 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
20307 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
20308 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
20309 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
20310 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
20311 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
20312 is, non-interactively otherwise.
20313
20314 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
20315 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
20316 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
20317 inside a cygwin window.
20318
20319 @kindex show interactive-mode
20320 @item show interactive-mode
20321 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
20322 @end table
20323
20324 @node Extending GDB
20325 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
20326 @cindex extending GDB
20327
20328 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
20329 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
20330 Python scripting language.
20331
20332 To facilitate the use of these extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
20333 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
20334 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
20335 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
20336 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20337 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
20338
20339 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
20340 setting:
20341
20342 @table @code
20343 @kindex set script-extension
20344 @kindex show script-extension
20345 @item set script-extension off
20346 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20347
20348 @item set script-extension soft
20349 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20350 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
20351 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
20352 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
20353
20354 @item set script-extension strict
20355 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20356 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
20357 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
20358
20359 @item show script-extension
20360 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
20361
20362 @end table
20363
20364 @menu
20365 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
20366 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20367 @end menu
20368
20369 @node Sequences
20370 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
20371
20372 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
20373 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
20374 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
20375 files.
20376
20377 @menu
20378 * Define:: How to define your own commands
20379 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
20380 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
20381 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
20382 @end menu
20383
20384 @node Define
20385 @subsection User-defined Commands
20386
20387 @cindex user-defined command
20388 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
20389 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
20390 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
20391 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
20392 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
20393 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
20394
20395 @smallexample
20396 define adder
20397 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20398 end
20399 @end smallexample
20400
20401 @noindent
20402 To execute the command use:
20403
20404 @smallexample
20405 adder 1 2 3
20406 @end smallexample
20407
20408 @noindent
20409 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
20410 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
20411 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
20412 functions calls.
20413
20414 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
20415 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
20416 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
20417 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
20418
20419 @smallexample
20420 define adder
20421 if $argc == 2
20422 print $arg0 + $arg1
20423 end
20424 if $argc == 3
20425 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20426 end
20427 end
20428 @end smallexample
20429
20430 @table @code
20431
20432 @kindex define
20433 @item define @var{commandname}
20434 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
20435 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
20436 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
20437 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
20438 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
20439 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
20440
20441 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
20442 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
20443 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20444
20445 @kindex document
20446 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
20447 @item document @var{commandname}
20448 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
20449 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
20450 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
20451 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
20452 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
20453 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
20454
20455 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
20456 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
20457 does not change the documentation.
20458
20459 @kindex dont-repeat
20460 @cindex don't repeat command
20461 @item dont-repeat
20462 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
20463 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
20464 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
20465
20466 @kindex help user-defined
20467 @item help user-defined
20468 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
20469 (if any) for each.
20470
20471 @kindex show user
20472 @item show user
20473 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
20474 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
20475 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
20476 definitions for all user-defined commands.
20477
20478 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
20479 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
20480 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
20481 @item show max-user-call-depth
20482 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
20483 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
20484 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
20485 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
20486 @end table
20487
20488 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
20489 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
20490
20491 When user-defined commands are executed, the
20492 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
20493 stops execution of the user-defined command.
20494
20495 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
20496 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
20497 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
20498 messages when used in a user-defined command.
20499
20500 @node Hooks
20501 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
20502 @cindex command hooks
20503 @cindex hooks, for commands
20504 @cindex hooks, pre-command
20505
20506 @kindex hook
20507 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
20508 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
20509 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
20510 before that command.
20511
20512 @cindex hooks, post-command
20513 @kindex hookpost
20514 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
20515 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
20516 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
20517 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
20518 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
20519
20520 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
20521 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
20522
20523 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
20524 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
20525
20526 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
20527 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
20528 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
20529 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
20530 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
20531
20532 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
20533 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
20534 you could define:
20535
20536 @smallexample
20537 define hook-stop
20538 handle SIGALRM nopass
20539 end
20540
20541 define hook-run
20542 handle SIGALRM pass
20543 end
20544
20545 define hook-continue
20546 handle SIGALRM pass
20547 end
20548 @end smallexample
20549
20550 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
20551 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
20552 you could define:
20553
20554 @smallexample
20555 define hook-echo
20556 echo <<<---
20557 end
20558
20559 define hookpost-echo
20560 echo --->>>\n
20561 end
20562
20563 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
20564 <<<---Hello World--->>>
20565 (@value{GDBP})
20566
20567 @end smallexample
20568
20569 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
20570 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
20571 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
20572 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
20573 @c or not?
20574 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
20575 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
20576 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
20577
20578 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
20579 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
20580 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
20581
20582 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
20583 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
20584
20585 @node Command Files
20586 @subsection Command Files
20587
20588 @cindex command files
20589 @cindex scripting commands
20590 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
20591 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
20592 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
20593 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
20594 terminal.
20595
20596 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
20597 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
20598 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
20599 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
20600 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
20601
20602 @table @code
20603 @kindex source
20604 @cindex execute commands from a file
20605 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
20606 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
20607 @end table
20608
20609 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
20610 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
20611 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
20612 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
20613 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
20614
20615 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
20616 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
20617 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
20618 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
20619 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
20620 is not relevant to scripts.
20621
20622 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
20623 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
20624 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
20625 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
20626 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20627 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
20628 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
20629 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
20630 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20631 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
20632 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
20633 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
20634 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
20635 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
20636
20637 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
20638 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
20639 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
20640
20641 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
20642 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
20643 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
20644 when called from command files.
20645
20646 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
20647 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
20648 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
20649 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
20650 the next command.
20651
20652 @smallexample
20653 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
20654 @end smallexample
20655
20656 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
20657 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
20658 would be directed to @file{log}.
20659
20660 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
20661 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
20662 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
20663 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
20664 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
20665 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
20666 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
20667 conditionally, etc.
20668
20669 @table @code
20670 @kindex if
20671 @kindex else
20672 @item if
20673 @itemx else
20674 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
20675 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
20676 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
20677 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
20678 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
20679 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
20680 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20681
20682 @kindex while
20683 @item while
20684 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
20685 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
20686 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
20687 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
20688 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
20689 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
20690
20691 @kindex loop_break
20692 @item loop_break
20693 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
20694 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
20695 line.
20696
20697 @kindex loop_continue
20698 @item loop_continue
20699 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
20700 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
20701 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
20702 the controlling expression.
20703
20704 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
20705 @item end
20706 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
20707 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
20708 @end table
20709
20710
20711 @node Output
20712 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
20713
20714 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
20715 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
20716 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
20717 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
20718 want.
20719
20720 @table @code
20721 @kindex echo
20722 @item echo @var{text}
20723 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
20724 @c because it is not in ANSI.
20725 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
20726 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
20727 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
20728 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
20729 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
20730 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
20731 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
20732 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
20733 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
20734
20735 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
20736 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
20737
20738 @smallexample
20739 echo This is some text\n\
20740 which is continued\n\
20741 onto several lines.\n
20742 @end smallexample
20743
20744 produces the same output as
20745
20746 @smallexample
20747 echo This is some text\n
20748 echo which is continued\n
20749 echo onto several lines.\n
20750 @end smallexample
20751
20752 @kindex output
20753 @item output @var{expression}
20754 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
20755 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
20756 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
20757 on expressions.
20758
20759 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
20760 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
20761 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
20762 Formats}, for more information.
20763
20764 @kindex printf
20765 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20766 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20767 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
20768 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
20769 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
20770 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
20771 executing the code below:
20772
20773 @smallexample
20774 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
20775 @end smallexample
20776
20777 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
20778 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
20779 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
20780 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
20781 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
20782 printed.
20783
20784 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
20785
20786 @smallexample
20787 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
20788 @end smallexample
20789
20790 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
20791 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
20792 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
20793
20794 @itemize @bullet
20795 @item
20796 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
20797
20798 @item
20799 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
20800 width.
20801
20802 @item
20803 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
20804 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
20805
20806 @item
20807 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
20808 supported.
20809
20810 @item
20811 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
20812
20813 @item
20814 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
20815 @end itemize
20816
20817 @noindent
20818 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
20819 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
20820 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
20821 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
20822
20823 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
20824 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
20825 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
20826 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
20827 supported.
20828
20829 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
20830 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
20831 together with a floating point specifier.
20832 letters:
20833
20834 @itemize @bullet
20835 @item
20836 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
20837
20838 @item
20839 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
20840
20841 @item
20842 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
20843 @end itemize
20844
20845 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
20846 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
20847 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
20848
20849 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
20850 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
20851
20852 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
20853 @smallexample
20854 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
20855 @end smallexample
20856
20857 @kindex eval
20858 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20859 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20860 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
20861
20862 @end table
20863
20864 @node Python
20865 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20866 @cindex python scripting
20867 @cindex scripting with python
20868
20869 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
20870 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
20871 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
20872
20873 @cindex python directory
20874 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
20875 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
20876 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
20877 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
20878 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
20879 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
20880
20881 Additionally, @value{GDBN} commands and convenience functions which
20882 are written in Python and are located in the
20883 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/command} or
20884 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/function} directories are
20885 automatically imported when @value{GDBN} starts.
20886
20887 @menu
20888 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
20889 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
20890 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
20891 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
20892 @end menu
20893
20894 @node Python Commands
20895 @subsection Python Commands
20896 @cindex python commands
20897 @cindex commands to access python
20898
20899 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
20900 and one related setting:
20901
20902 @table @code
20903 @kindex python
20904 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
20905 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
20906
20907 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
20908 argument as a Python command. For example:
20909
20910 @smallexample
20911 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
20912 23
20913 @end smallexample
20914
20915 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
20916 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
20917 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
20918 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
20919 containing @code{end}. For example:
20920
20921 @smallexample
20922 (@value{GDBP}) python
20923 Type python script
20924 End with a line saying just "end".
20925 >print 23
20926 >end
20927 23
20928 @end smallexample
20929
20930 @kindex maint set python print-stack
20931 @item maint set python print-stack
20932 This command is now deprecated. Instead use @code{set python
20933 print-stack}
20934
20935 @kindex set python print-stack
20936 @item set python print-stack
20937 By default, @value{GDBN} will not print a stack trace when an error
20938 occurs in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{set
20939 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, then Python stack printing is
20940 enabled; if @code{off}, the default, then Python stack printing is
20941 disabled.
20942 @end table
20943
20944 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
20945 interpreter:
20946
20947 @table @code
20948 @item source @file{script-name}
20949 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
20950 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
20951 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
20952
20953 @item python execfile ("script-name")
20954 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
20955 and thus is always available.
20956 @end table
20957
20958 @node Python API
20959 @subsection Python API
20960 @cindex python api
20961 @cindex programming in python
20962
20963 @cindex python stdout
20964 @cindex python pagination
20965 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
20966 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
20967 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
20968 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
20969 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
20970
20971 @menu
20972 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
20973 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
20974 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
20975 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
20976 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
20977 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
20978 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
20979 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
20980 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
20981 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
20982 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
20983 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
20984 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
20985 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
20986 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
20987 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
20988 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
20989 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
20990 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
20991 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
20992 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
20993 @end menu
20994
20995 @node Basic Python
20996 @subsubsection Basic Python
20997
20998 @cindex python functions
20999 @cindex python module
21000 @cindex gdb module
21001 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
21002 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
21003 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
21004 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
21005
21006 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
21007 @defvar gdb.PYTHONDIR
21008 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
21009 @end defvar
21010
21011 @findex gdb.execute
21012 @defun gdb.execute (command @r{[}, from_tty @r{[}, to_string@r{]]})
21013 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
21014 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
21015 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
21016
21017 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
21018 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
21019 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
21020
21021 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
21022 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
21023 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
21024 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
21025 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
21026 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
21027 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
21028 @end defun
21029
21030 @findex gdb.breakpoints
21031 @defun gdb.breakpoints ()
21032 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
21033 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
21034 @end defun
21035
21036 @findex gdb.parameter
21037 @defun gdb.parameter (parameter)
21038 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
21039 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
21040 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
21041 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
21042
21043 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
21044 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
21045 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
21046 type, and returned.
21047 @end defun
21048
21049 @findex gdb.history
21050 @defun gdb.history (number)
21051 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
21052 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
21053 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
21054 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
21055 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
21056 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
21057 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
21058 raised.
21059
21060 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
21061 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
21062 @end defun
21063
21064 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
21065 @defun gdb.parse_and_eval (expression)
21066 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
21067 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
21068 @var{expression} must be a string.
21069
21070 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
21071 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
21072 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
21073 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
21074 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
21075 @end defun
21076
21077 @findex gdb.post_event
21078 @defun gdb.post_event (event)
21079 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
21080 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
21081 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
21082 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
21083 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
21084 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
21085
21086 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
21087 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
21088 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
21089 this. For example:
21090
21091 @smallexample
21092 (@value{GDBP}) python
21093 >import threading
21094 >
21095 >class Writer():
21096 > def __init__(self, message):
21097 > self.message = message;
21098 > def __call__(self):
21099 > gdb.write(self.message)
21100 >
21101 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
21102 > def run (self):
21103 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
21104 >
21105 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
21106 > def run (self):
21107 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
21108 >
21109 >MyThread1().start()
21110 >MyThread2().start()
21111 >end
21112 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
21113 @end smallexample
21114 @end defun
21115
21116 @findex gdb.write
21117 @defun gdb.write (string @r{[}, stream{]})
21118 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
21119 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
21120 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
21121 values are:
21122
21123 @table @code
21124 @findex STDOUT
21125 @findex gdb.STDOUT
21126 @item gdb.STDOUT
21127 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
21128
21129 @findex STDERR
21130 @findex gdb.STDERR
21131 @item gdb.STDERR
21132 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
21133
21134 @findex STDLOG
21135 @findex gdb.STDLOG
21136 @item gdb.STDLOG
21137 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
21138 @end table
21139
21140 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
21141 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
21142 relevant stream.
21143 @end defun
21144
21145 @findex gdb.flush
21146 @defun gdb.flush ()
21147 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
21148 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
21149 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
21150 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
21151 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
21152 stream values are:
21153
21154 @table @code
21155 @findex STDOUT
21156 @findex gdb.STDOUT
21157 @item gdb.STDOUT
21158 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
21159
21160 @findex STDERR
21161 @findex gdb.STDERR
21162 @item gdb.STDERR
21163 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
21164
21165 @findex STDLOG
21166 @findex gdb.STDLOG
21167 @item gdb.STDLOG
21168 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
21169
21170 @end table
21171
21172 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
21173 call this function for the relevant stream.
21174 @end defun
21175
21176 @findex gdb.target_charset
21177 @defun gdb.target_charset ()
21178 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
21179 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
21180 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
21181 @end defun
21182
21183 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
21184 @defun gdb.target_wide_charset ()
21185 Return the name of the current target wide character set
21186 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
21187 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
21188 never returned.
21189 @end defun
21190
21191 @findex gdb.solib_name
21192 @defun gdb.solib_name (address)
21193 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
21194 as a string, or @code{None}.
21195 @end defun
21196
21197 @findex gdb.decode_line
21198 @defun gdb.decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
21199 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
21200 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
21201 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
21202 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
21203 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
21204 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
21205 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
21206 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
21207 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
21208 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
21209 @end defun
21210
21211 @defun gdb.prompt_hook (current_prompt)
21212 @anchor{prompt_hook}
21213
21214 If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
21215 assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
21216 @value{GDBN}.
21217
21218 The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
21219 prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
21220 a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
21221 string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
21222 the current prompt.
21223
21224 Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
21225 such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
21226 related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
21227 @end defun
21228
21229 @node Exception Handling
21230 @subsubsection Exception Handling
21231 @cindex python exceptions
21232 @cindex exceptions, python
21233
21234 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
21235 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
21236 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
21237 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
21238 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
21239 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
21240 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
21241
21242 @smallexample
21243 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
21244 Traceback (most recent call last):
21245 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
21246 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
21247 @end smallexample
21248
21249 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
21250 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
21251 Python exception depends on the error.
21252
21253 @ftable @code
21254 @item gdb.error
21255 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
21256 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
21257 versions of @value{GDBN}.
21258
21259 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
21260 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
21261
21262 @item gdb.MemoryError
21263 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
21264 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
21265
21266 @item KeyboardInterrupt
21267 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
21268 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
21269 @end ftable
21270
21271 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
21272 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
21273 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
21274 traceback.
21275
21276 @findex gdb.GdbError
21277 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
21278 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
21279 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
21280 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
21281 to handle this case. Example:
21282
21283 @smallexample
21284 (gdb) python
21285 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
21286 > """Greet the whole world."""
21287 > def __init__ (self):
21288 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
21289 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
21290 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
21291 > if len (argv) != 0:
21292 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
21293 > print "Hello, World!"
21294 >HelloWorld ()
21295 >end
21296 (gdb) hello-world 42
21297 hello-world takes no arguments
21298 @end smallexample
21299
21300 @node Values From Inferior
21301 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
21302 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
21303 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
21304
21305 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
21306 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
21307 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
21308 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
21309 fetching values when necessary.
21310
21311 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
21312 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
21313 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
21314
21315 @smallexample
21316 bar = some_val + 2
21317 @end smallexample
21318
21319 @noindent
21320 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
21321 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
21322
21323 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
21324 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
21325 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
21326 can access its @code{foo} element with:
21327
21328 @smallexample
21329 bar = some_val['foo']
21330 @end smallexample
21331
21332 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
21333
21334 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
21335 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
21336 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
21337 by that prototype.
21338
21339 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
21340 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
21341 execute this function, call it like so:
21342
21343 @smallexample
21344 result = some_val (10,20)
21345 @end smallexample
21346
21347 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
21348 @code{gdb.Value}.
21349
21350 The following attributes are provided:
21351
21352 @table @code
21353 @defvar Value.address
21354 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
21355 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
21356 this attribute holds @code{None}.
21357 @end defvar
21358
21359 @cindex optimized out value in Python
21360 @defvar Value.is_optimized_out
21361 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
21362 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
21363 @end defvar
21364
21365 @defvar Value.type
21366 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
21367 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
21368 @end defvar
21369
21370 @defvar Value.dynamic_type
21371 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
21372 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
21373 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
21374 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
21375 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
21376 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
21377 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
21378 type.
21379
21380 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
21381 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
21382 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
21383 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
21384 @end defvar
21385 @end table
21386
21387 The following methods are provided:
21388
21389 @table @code
21390 @defun Value.__init__ (@var{val})
21391 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
21392 this object initializer. Specifically:
21393
21394 @table @asis
21395 @item Python boolean
21396 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
21397 language.
21398
21399 @item Python integer
21400 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
21401 current architecture.
21402
21403 @item Python long
21404 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
21405 current architecture.
21406
21407 @item Python float
21408 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
21409 current architecture.
21410
21411 @item Python string
21412 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
21413 target encoding.
21414
21415 @item @code{gdb.Value}
21416 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
21417
21418 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
21419 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
21420 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
21421 its result is used.
21422 @end table
21423 @end defun
21424
21425 @defun Value.cast (type)
21426 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
21427 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
21428 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
21429 reason, this method throws an exception.
21430 @end defun
21431
21432 @defun Value.dereference ()
21433 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
21434 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
21435 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
21436
21437 @smallexample
21438 int *foo;
21439 @end smallexample
21440
21441 @noindent
21442 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
21443 @code{foo} points to like this:
21444
21445 @smallexample
21446 bar = foo.dereference ()
21447 @end smallexample
21448
21449 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
21450 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
21451 @end defun
21452
21453 @defun Value.dynamic_cast (type)
21454 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
21455 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21456 @end defun
21457
21458 @defun Value.reinterpret_cast (type)
21459 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
21460 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21461 @end defun
21462
21463 @defun Value.string (@r{[}encoding@r{[}, errors@r{[}, length@r{]]]})
21464 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21465 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
21466 throw an exception.
21467
21468 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
21469 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
21470 language.
21471
21472 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
21473 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
21474 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
21475 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
21476 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
21477
21478 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21479 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
21480 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
21481 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
21482 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
21483 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
21484 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
21485 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
21486 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
21487
21488 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
21489 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
21490
21491 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21492 fetched and converted to the given length.
21493 @end defun
21494
21495 @defun Value.lazy_string (@r{[}encoding @r{[}, length@r{]]})
21496 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21497 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
21498 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
21499
21500 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21501 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
21502 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
21503 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
21504 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
21505
21506 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
21507 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
21508 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
21509 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
21510 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
21511 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
21512
21513 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21514 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
21515 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
21516 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
21517 @end defun
21518 @end table
21519
21520 @node Types In Python
21521 @subsubsection Types In Python
21522 @cindex types in Python
21523 @cindex Python, working with types
21524
21525 @tindex gdb.Type
21526 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
21527 @code{gdb.Type}.
21528
21529 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21530 module:
21531
21532 @findex gdb.lookup_type
21533 @defun gdb.lookup_type (name @r{[}, block@r{]})
21534 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
21535 type to look up. It must be a string.
21536
21537 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21538 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21539
21540 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
21541 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
21542 @end defun
21543
21544 If the type is a structure or class type, or an enum type, the fields
21545 of that type can be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}.
21546 For example, if @code{some_type} is a @code{gdb.Type} instance holding
21547 a structure type, you can access its @code{foo} field with:
21548
21549 @smallexample
21550 bar = some_type['foo']
21551 @end smallexample
21552
21553 @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Field} object; see below under the
21554 description of the @code{Type.fields} method for a description of the
21555 @code{gdb.Field} class.
21556
21557 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
21558
21559 @table @code
21560 @defvar Type.code
21561 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
21562 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
21563 @end defvar
21564
21565 @defvar Type.sizeof
21566 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
21567 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
21568 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
21569 @end defvar
21570
21571 @defvar Type.tag
21572 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
21573 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
21574 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
21575 @code{None} is returned.
21576 @end defvar
21577 @end table
21578
21579 The following methods are provided:
21580
21581 @table @code
21582 @defun Type.fields ()
21583 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
21584 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
21585 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
21586 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
21587 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
21588 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
21589
21590 Each field is a @code{gdb.Field} object, with some pre-defined attributes:
21591 @table @code
21592 @item bitpos
21593 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
21594 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
21595 position of the field. For @code{enum} fields, the value is the
21596 enumeration member's integer representation.
21597
21598 @item name
21599 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
21600
21601 @item artificial
21602 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
21603 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
21604 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
21605
21606 @item is_base_class
21607 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
21608 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
21609 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
21610 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
21611
21612 @item bitsize
21613 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
21614 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
21615 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
21616
21617 @item type
21618 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
21619 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
21620 @end table
21621 @end defun
21622
21623 @defun Type.array (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
21624 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
21625 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
21626 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
21627 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
21628 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
21629 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
21630 @end defun
21631
21632 @defun Type.const ()
21633 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21634 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
21635 @end defun
21636
21637 @defun Type.volatile ()
21638 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21639 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
21640 @end defun
21641
21642 @defun Type.unqualified ()
21643 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
21644 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
21645 @code{volatile}.
21646 @end defun
21647
21648 @defun Type.range ()
21649 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
21650 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
21651 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
21652 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
21653 @end defun
21654
21655 @defun Type.reference ()
21656 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
21657 type.
21658 @end defun
21659
21660 @defun Type.pointer ()
21661 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
21662 type.
21663 @end defun
21664
21665 @defun Type.strip_typedefs ()
21666 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
21667 after removing all layers of typedefs.
21668 @end defun
21669
21670 @defun Type.target ()
21671 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
21672 of this type.
21673
21674 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
21675 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
21676 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
21677 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
21678 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
21679 target type is the aliased type.
21680
21681 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
21682 exception.
21683 @end defun
21684
21685 @defun Type.template_argument (n @r{[}, block@r{]})
21686 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
21687 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
21688 @var{n}th template argument.
21689
21690 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
21691 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
21692
21693 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21694 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21695 @end defun
21696 @end table
21697
21698
21699 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
21700 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
21701 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
21702
21703 @table @code
21704 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
21705 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
21706 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
21707 The type is a pointer.
21708
21709 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21710 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21711 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21712 The type is an array.
21713
21714 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21715 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21716 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21717 The type is a structure.
21718
21719 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
21720 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
21721 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
21722 The type is a union.
21723
21724 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21725 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21726 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21727 The type is an enum.
21728
21729 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21730 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21731 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21732 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
21733
21734 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21735 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21736 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21737 The type is a function.
21738
21739 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
21740 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
21741 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
21742 The type is an integer type.
21743
21744 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
21745 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
21746 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
21747 A floating point type.
21748
21749 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
21750 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
21751 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
21752 The special type @code{void}.
21753
21754 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
21755 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
21756 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
21757 A Pascal set type.
21758
21759 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21760 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21761 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21762 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
21763
21764 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
21765 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
21766 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
21767 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
21768 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
21769
21770 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21771 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21772 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21773 A string of bits.
21774
21775 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21776 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21777 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21778 An unknown or erroneous type.
21779
21780 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21781 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21782 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21783 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
21784
21785 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21786 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21787 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21788 A pointer-to-member-function.
21789
21790 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21791 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21792 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21793 A pointer-to-member.
21794
21795 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
21796 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
21797 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
21798 A reference type.
21799
21800 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21801 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21802 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21803 A character type.
21804
21805 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21806 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21807 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21808 A boolean type.
21809
21810 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21811 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21812 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21813 A complex float type.
21814
21815 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21816 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21817 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21818 A typedef to some other type.
21819
21820 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21821 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21822 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21823 A C@t{++} namespace.
21824
21825 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21826 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21827 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21828 A decimal floating point type.
21829
21830 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21831 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21832 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21833 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
21834 convenience functions.
21835 @end table
21836
21837 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
21838 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
21839
21840 @node Pretty Printing API
21841 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
21842
21843 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
21844
21845 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
21846 specific interface, defined here.
21847
21848 @defun pretty_printer.children (self)
21849 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
21850 children of the pretty-printer's value.
21851
21852 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
21853 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
21854 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
21855 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
21856 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
21857
21858 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
21859 as though the value has no children.
21860 @end defun
21861
21862 @defun pretty_printer.display_hint (self)
21863 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
21864 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
21865 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
21866 printed.
21867
21868 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
21869 string.
21870
21871 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
21872
21873 @table @samp
21874 @item array
21875 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
21876 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
21877 @code{set print array}.
21878
21879 @item map
21880 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
21881 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
21882 values.
21883
21884 @item string
21885 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
21886 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
21887 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
21888 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
21889 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
21890 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
21891 @end table
21892 @end defun
21893
21894 @defun pretty_printer.to_string (self)
21895 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
21896 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
21897
21898 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
21899 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
21900 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
21901 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
21902 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
21903 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
21904 the result of @code{children}.
21905
21906 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
21907
21908 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
21909 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
21910 another pretty-printer.
21911
21912 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
21913 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
21914 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
21915 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
21916 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
21917
21918 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
21919 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
21920
21921 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
21922 @end defun
21923
21924 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
21925 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
21926
21927 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
21928 @defun gdb.default_visualizer (value)
21929 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
21930 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
21931 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
21932 @end defun
21933
21934 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
21935 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
21936
21937 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
21938 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
21939 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
21940 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
21941 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
21942 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
21943 attribute.
21944
21945 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
21946 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
21947 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
21948 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
21949 @code{None}.
21950
21951 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
21952 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
21953 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
21954 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
21955 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
21956 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
21957 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
21958 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
21959 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
21960 object is returned.
21961
21962 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
21963 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
21964 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
21965 object is returned.
21966
21967 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
21968 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
21969 the pretty-printer is out of date.
21970
21971 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
21972 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
21973 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
21974 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
21975 with a broken printer.
21976
21977 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
21978 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
21979 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
21980 the printer is enabled.
21981
21982 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
21983 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
21984 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
21985
21986 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
21987 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
21988
21989 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
21990 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
21991 must provide.
21992
21993 @smallexample
21994 class StdStringPrinter(object):
21995 "Print a std::string"
21996
21997 def __init__(self, val):
21998 self.val = val
21999
22000 def to_string(self):
22001 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
22002
22003 def display_hint(self):
22004 return 'string'
22005 @end smallexample
22006
22007 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
22008 example above might be written.
22009
22010 @smallexample
22011 def str_lookup_function(val):
22012 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
22013 if lookup_tag == None:
22014 return None
22015 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
22016 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
22017 return StdStringPrinter(val)
22018 return None
22019 @end smallexample
22020
22021 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
22022 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
22023 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
22024 returns @code{None}.
22025
22026 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
22027 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
22028 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
22029 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
22030 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
22031 different names.
22032
22033 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
22034 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
22035 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
22036 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
22037 the current objfile.
22038
22039 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
22040 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
22041 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
22042 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
22043 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
22044 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
22045 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
22046 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
22047 inferior.
22048
22049 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
22050 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
22051
22052 @smallexample
22053 def register_printers(objfile):
22054 objfile.pretty_printers.add(str_lookup_function)
22055 @end smallexample
22056
22057 @noindent
22058 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
22059
22060 @smallexample
22061 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
22062 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
22063 @end smallexample
22064
22065 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
22066 There are a few things that can be improved on.
22067 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
22068 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
22069 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
22070
22071 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
22072 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
22073 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
22074 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
22075 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
22076 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
22077
22078 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
22079 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
22080 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
22081
22082 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
22083
22084 @smallexample
22085 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
22086 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
22087 @end smallexample
22088
22089 Here are the printers:
22090
22091 @smallexample
22092 class fooPrinter:
22093 """Print a foo object."""
22094
22095 def __init__(self, val):
22096 self.val = val
22097
22098 def to_string(self):
22099 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
22100 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
22101
22102 class barPrinter:
22103 """Print a bar object."""
22104
22105 def __init__(self, val):
22106 self.val = val
22107
22108 def to_string(self):
22109 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
22110 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
22111 @end smallexample
22112
22113 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
22114 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
22115 the object that handles the lookup.
22116
22117 @smallexample
22118 import gdb.printing
22119
22120 def build_pretty_printer():
22121 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
22122 "my_library")
22123 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
22124 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
22125 return pp
22126 @end smallexample
22127
22128 And here is the autoload support:
22129
22130 @smallexample
22131 import gdb.printing
22132 import my_library
22133 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
22134 gdb.current_objfile(),
22135 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
22136 @end smallexample
22137
22138 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
22139 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
22140
22141 @smallexample
22142 (gdb) info pretty-printer
22143 my_library.so:
22144 my_library
22145 foo
22146 bar
22147 @end smallexample
22148
22149 @node Inferiors In Python
22150 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
22151 @cindex inferiors in Python
22152
22153 @findex gdb.Inferior
22154 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
22155 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
22156 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
22157 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
22158
22159 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22160 module:
22161
22162 @defun gdb.inferiors ()
22163 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
22164 @end defun
22165
22166 @defun gdb.selected_inferior ()
22167 Return an object representing the current inferior.
22168 @end defun
22169
22170 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
22171
22172 @table @code
22173 @defvar Inferior.num
22174 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
22175 @end defvar
22176
22177 @defvar Inferior.pid
22178 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
22179 system.
22180 @end defvar
22181
22182 @defvar Inferior.was_attached
22183 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
22184 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
22185 @end defvar
22186 @end table
22187
22188 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
22189
22190 @table @code
22191 @defun Inferior.is_valid ()
22192 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
22193 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
22194 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
22195 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
22196 at the time the method is called.
22197 @end defun
22198
22199 @defun Inferior.threads ()
22200 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
22201 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
22202 return an empty tuple.
22203 @end defun
22204
22205 @findex gdb.read_memory
22206 @defun Inferior.read_memory (address, length)
22207 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
22208 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
22209 or a string. It can be modified and given to the @code{gdb.write_memory}
22210 function.
22211 @end defun
22212
22213 @findex gdb.write_memory
22214 @defun Inferior.write_memory (address, buffer @r{[}, length@r{]})
22215 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
22216 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
22217 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
22218 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
22219 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
22220 @end defun
22221
22222 @findex gdb.search_memory
22223 @defun Inferior.search_memory (address, length, pattern)
22224 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
22225 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
22226 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
22227 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
22228 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
22229 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
22230 the pattern could not be found.
22231 @end defun
22232 @end table
22233
22234 @node Events In Python
22235 @subsubsection Events In Python
22236 @cindex inferior events in Python
22237
22238 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
22239 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
22240 the inferior.
22241
22242 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
22243 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
22244 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
22245
22246 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
22247 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
22248 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
22249 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
22250
22251 @table @code
22252 @defun EventRegistry.connect (object)
22253 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
22254 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
22255 @end defun
22256
22257 @defun EventRegistry.disconnect (object)
22258 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
22259 will no longer receive notifications of events.
22260 @end defun
22261 @end table
22262
22263 Here is an example:
22264
22265 @smallexample
22266 def exit_handler (event):
22267 print "event type: exit"
22268 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
22269
22270 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
22271 @end smallexample
22272
22273 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
22274 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
22275 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
22276 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
22277 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
22278 the inferior.
22279
22280 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
22281 details of the events they emit:
22282
22283 @table @code
22284
22285 @item events.cont
22286 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22287
22288 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
22289 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
22290 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
22291 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
22292 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
22293 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
22294
22295 @table @code
22296 @defvar ThreadEvent.inferior_thread
22297 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
22298 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
22299 @end defvar
22300 @end table
22301
22302 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22303
22304 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
22305 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
22306
22307 @item events.exited
22308 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
22309 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has two attributes:
22310 @table @code
22311 @defvar ExitedEvent.exit_code
22312 An integer representing the exit code, if available, which the inferior
22313 has returned. (The exit code could be unavailable if, for example,
22314 @value{GDBN} detaches from the inferior.) If the exit code is unavailable,
22315 the attribute does not exist.
22316 @end defvar
22317 @defvar ExitedEvent inferior
22318 A reference to the inferior which triggered the @code{exited} event.
22319 @end defvar
22320 @end table
22321
22322 @item events.stop
22323 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22324
22325 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
22326 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
22327 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
22328 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
22329
22330 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
22331
22332 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
22333 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
22334
22335 @table @code
22336 @defvar SignalEvent.stop_signal
22337 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
22338 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
22339 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
22340 @end defvar
22341 @end table
22342
22343 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
22344
22345 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that one or more breakpoints have
22346 been hit, and has the following attributes:
22347
22348 @table @code
22349 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoints
22350 A sequence containing references to all the breakpoints (type
22351 @code{gdb.Breakpoint}) that were hit.
22352 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
22353 @end defvar
22354 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoint
22355 A reference to the first breakpoint that was hit.
22356 This function is maintained for backward compatibility and is now deprecated
22357 in favor of the @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent.breakpoints} attribute.
22358 @end defvar
22359 @end table
22360
22361 @end table
22362
22363 @node Threads In Python
22364 @subsubsection Threads In Python
22365 @cindex threads in python
22366
22367 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
22368 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
22369 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
22370
22371 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22372 module:
22373
22374 @findex gdb.selected_thread
22375 @defun gdb.selected_thread ()
22376 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
22377 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
22378 @end defun
22379
22380 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
22381
22382 @table @code
22383 @defvar InferiorThread.name
22384 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
22385 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
22386 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
22387 returns @code{None}.
22388
22389 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
22390 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
22391 user-specified thread name.
22392 @end defvar
22393
22394 @defvar InferiorThread.num
22395 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
22396 @end defvar
22397
22398 @defvar InferiorThread.ptid
22399 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
22400 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
22401 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
22402 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
22403 does not use that identifier.
22404 @end defvar
22405 @end table
22406
22407 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
22408
22409 @table @code
22410 @defun InferiorThread.is_valid ()
22411 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
22412 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
22413 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
22414 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
22415 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22416 @end defun
22417
22418 @defun InferiorThread.switch ()
22419 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
22420 by this object.
22421 @end defun
22422
22423 @defun InferiorThread.is_stopped ()
22424 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
22425 @end defun
22426
22427 @defun InferiorThread.is_running ()
22428 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
22429 @end defun
22430
22431 @defun InferiorThread.is_exited ()
22432 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
22433 @end defun
22434 @end table
22435
22436 @node Commands In Python
22437 @subsubsection Commands In Python
22438
22439 @cindex commands in python
22440 @cindex python commands
22441 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
22442 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
22443 class, most commonly using a subclass.
22444
22445 @defun Command.__init__ (name, @var{command_class} @r{[}, var{completer_class} @r{[}, var{prefix}@r{]]})
22446 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
22447 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
22448 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
22449
22450 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
22451 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
22452 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
22453 an exception is raised.
22454
22455 There is no support for multi-line commands.
22456
22457 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
22458 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
22459 new command in the help system.
22460
22461 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
22462 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
22463 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
22464 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
22465 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
22466 error will occur when completion is attempted.
22467
22468 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
22469 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
22470 registered.
22471
22472 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
22473 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
22474 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
22475 not documented.'' is used.
22476 @end defun
22477
22478 @cindex don't repeat Python command
22479 @defun Command.dont_repeat ()
22480 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
22481 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
22482 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
22483 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
22484 @end defun
22485
22486 @defun Command.invoke (argument, from_tty)
22487 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
22488
22489 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
22490 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
22491
22492 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
22493 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
22494 that the command came from elsewhere.
22495
22496 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
22497 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
22498
22499 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
22500 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
22501 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
22502 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
22503 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
22504 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
22505 Example:
22506
22507 @smallexample
22508 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
22509 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
22510 @end smallexample
22511
22512 @end defun
22513
22514 @cindex completion of Python commands
22515 @defun Command.complete (text, word)
22516 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
22517 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
22518 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
22519 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
22520 complete}).
22521
22522 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
22523 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
22524 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
22525 using a word-breaking heuristic.
22526
22527 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
22528 @itemize @bullet
22529 @item
22530 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
22531 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
22532 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
22533 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
22534 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
22535 sequence are ignored.
22536
22537 @item
22538 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
22539 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
22540 function is invoked, and its result is used.
22541
22542 @item
22543 All other results are treated as though there were no available
22544 completions.
22545 @end itemize
22546 @end defun
22547
22548 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
22549 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
22550 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
22551 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
22552 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
22553 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22554
22555 @table @code
22556 @findex COMMAND_NONE
22557 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
22558 @item gdb.COMMAND_NONE
22559 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
22560 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
22561
22562 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
22563 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
22564 @item gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
22565 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
22566 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
22567 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22568 commands in this category.
22569
22570 @findex COMMAND_DATA
22571 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
22572 @item gdb.COMMAND_DATA
22573 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
22574 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
22575 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
22576 in this category.
22577
22578 @findex COMMAND_STACK
22579 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
22580 @item gdb.COMMAND_STACK
22581 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
22582 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
22583 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
22584 list of commands in this category.
22585
22586 @findex COMMAND_FILES
22587 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
22588 @item gdb.COMMAND_FILES
22589 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
22590 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
22591 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22592 commands in this category.
22593
22594 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
22595 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
22596 @item gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
22597 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
22598 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
22599 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
22600 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
22601 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22602 commands in this category.
22603
22604 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
22605 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
22606 @item gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
22607 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
22608 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
22609 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
22610 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
22611
22612 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22613 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22614 @item gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22615 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
22616 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22617 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
22618 this category.
22619
22620 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22621 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22622 @item gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22623 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
22624 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
22625 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22626 commands in this category.
22627
22628 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
22629 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
22630 @item gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
22631 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
22632 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
22633 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22634 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
22635 category.
22636
22637 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22638 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22639 @item gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22640 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
22641 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
22642 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22643 commands in this category.
22644 @end table
22645
22646 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
22647 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
22648 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
22649 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22650
22651 @table @code
22652 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
22653 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
22654 @item gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
22655 This constant means that no completion should be done.
22656
22657 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
22658 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
22659 @item gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
22660 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
22661
22662 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
22663 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
22664 @item gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
22665 This constant means that location completion should be done.
22666 @xref{Specify Location}.
22667
22668 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
22669 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
22670 @item gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
22671 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
22672 command names.
22673
22674 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22675 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22676 @item gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22677 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
22678 as the source.
22679 @end table
22680
22681 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
22682 implemented in Python:
22683
22684 @smallexample
22685 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
22686 """Greet the whole world."""
22687
22688 def __init__ (self):
22689 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
22690
22691 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
22692 print "Hello, World!"
22693
22694 HelloWorld ()
22695 @end smallexample
22696
22697 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22698 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22699 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22700 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
22701
22702 @node Parameters In Python
22703 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
22704
22705 @cindex parameters in python
22706 @cindex python parameters
22707 @tindex gdb.Parameter
22708 @tindex Parameter
22709 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
22710 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
22711 class.
22712
22713 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
22714 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
22715
22716 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
22717 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
22718 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
22719 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
22720 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
22721
22722 @defun Parameter.__init__ (name, @var{command-class}, @var{parameter-class} @r{[}, @var{enum-sequence}@r{]})
22723 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
22724 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
22725 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
22726
22727 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
22728 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
22729 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
22730 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
22731 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
22732 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
22733 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
22734
22735 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
22736 can be found, an exception is raised.
22737
22738 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
22739 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
22740 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
22741
22742 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
22743 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
22744 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
22745 completion.
22746
22747 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
22748 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
22749 represent the possible values for the parameter.
22750
22751 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
22752 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
22753
22754 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
22755 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
22756 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
22757 @end defun
22758
22759 @defvar Parameter.set_doc
22760 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22761 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
22762 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22763 have no effect.
22764 @end defvar
22765
22766 @defvar Parameter.show_doc
22767 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22768 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
22769 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22770 have no effect.
22771 @end defvar
22772
22773 @defvar Parameter.value
22774 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
22775 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
22776 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
22777 @end defvar
22778
22779 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
22780 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
22781
22782 @defun Parameter.get_set_string (self)
22783 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
22784 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
22785 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
22786 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
22787 @end defun
22788
22789 @defun Parameter.get_show_string (self, svalue)
22790 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
22791 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
22792 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
22793 current value. This method must return a string.
22794 @end defun
22795
22796 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
22797 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
22798 module:
22799
22800 @table @code
22801 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
22802 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
22803 @item gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
22804 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
22805 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
22806
22807 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22808 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22809 @item gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22810 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
22811 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
22812 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
22813
22814 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
22815 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
22816 @item gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
22817 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
22818 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
22819
22820 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
22821 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
22822 @item gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
22823 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
22824 to mean ``unlimited''.
22825
22826 @findex PARAM_STRING
22827 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
22828 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING
22829 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
22830 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
22831 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
22832 host charset.
22833
22834 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22835 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22836 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22837 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
22838 passed through untranslated.
22839
22840 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22841 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22842 @item gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22843 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
22844
22845 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
22846 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
22847 @item gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
22848 The value is a filename. This is just like
22849 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
22850
22851 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
22852 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
22853 @item gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
22854 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
22855 is interpreted as itself.
22856
22857 @findex PARAM_ENUM
22858 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
22859 @item gdb.PARAM_ENUM
22860 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
22861 constants provided when the parameter is created.
22862 @end table
22863
22864 @node Functions In Python
22865 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
22866
22867 @cindex writing convenience functions
22868 @cindex convenience functions in python
22869 @cindex python convenience functions
22870 @tindex gdb.Function
22871 @tindex Function
22872 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
22873 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
22874 class @code{gdb.Function}.
22875
22876 @defun Function.__init__ (name)
22877 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
22878 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
22879 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
22880 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
22881 the given @var{name}.
22882
22883 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
22884 string for the new class.
22885 @end defun
22886
22887 @defun Function.invoke (@var{*args})
22888 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
22889 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
22890 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
22891 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
22892 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
22893 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
22894 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
22895
22896 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
22897 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
22898 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
22899 @end defun
22900
22901 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
22902 be implemented in Python:
22903
22904 @smallexample
22905 class Greet (gdb.Function):
22906 """Return string to greet someone.
22907 Takes a name as argument."""
22908
22909 def __init__ (self):
22910 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
22911
22912 def invoke (self, name):
22913 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
22914
22915 Greet ()
22916 @end smallexample
22917
22918 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22919 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22920 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22921 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
22922
22923 @node Progspaces In Python
22924 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
22925
22926 @cindex progspaces in python
22927 @tindex gdb.Progspace
22928 @tindex Progspace
22929 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
22930 of an address space.
22931 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
22932 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22933 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
22934 about program spaces.
22935
22936 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
22937 @code{gdb} module:
22938
22939 @findex gdb.current_progspace
22940 @defun gdb.current_progspace ()
22941 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
22942 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
22943 @end defun
22944
22945 @findex gdb.progspaces
22946 @defun gdb.progspaces ()
22947 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
22948 @end defun
22949
22950 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
22951 class.
22952
22953 @defvar Progspace.filename
22954 The file name of the progspace as a string.
22955 @end defvar
22956
22957 @defvar Progspace.pretty_printers
22958 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22959 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22960 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22961 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22962 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22963 information.
22964 @end defvar
22965
22966 @node Objfiles In Python
22967 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
22968
22969 @cindex objfiles in python
22970 @tindex gdb.Objfile
22971 @tindex Objfile
22972 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
22973 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
22974 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
22975 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
22976 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
22977
22978 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
22979 @code{gdb} module:
22980
22981 @findex gdb.current_objfile
22982 @defun gdb.current_objfile ()
22983 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
22984 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
22985 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
22986 this function returns @code{None}.
22987 @end defun
22988
22989 @findex gdb.objfiles
22990 @defun gdb.objfiles ()
22991 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
22992 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22993 @end defun
22994
22995 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
22996 class.
22997
22998 @defvar Objfile.filename
22999 The file name of the objfile as a string.
23000 @end defvar
23001
23002 @defvar Objfile.pretty_printers
23003 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
23004 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
23005 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
23006 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
23007 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
23008 information.
23009 @end defvar
23010
23011 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
23012
23013 @defun Objfile.is_valid ()
23014 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
23015 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
23016 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
23017 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
23018 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
23019 @end defun
23020
23021 @node Frames In Python
23022 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
23023
23024 @cindex frames in python
23025 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
23026 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
23027 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
23028 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
23029 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
23030 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
23031
23032 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
23033 operator, like:
23034
23035 @smallexample
23036 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
23037 True
23038 @end smallexample
23039
23040 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
23041
23042 @findex gdb.selected_frame
23043 @defun gdb.selected_frame ()
23044 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
23045 @end defun
23046
23047 @findex gdb.newest_frame
23048 @defun gdb.newest_frame ()
23049 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
23050 @end defun
23051
23052 @defun gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
23053 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
23054 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
23055 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
23056 @end defun
23057
23058 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
23059
23060 @table @code
23061 @defun Frame.is_valid ()
23062 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
23063 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
23064 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
23065 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
23066 @end defun
23067
23068 @defun Frame.name ()
23069 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
23070 obtained.
23071 @end defun
23072
23073 @defun Frame.type ()
23074 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
23075 @table @code
23076 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
23077 An ordinary stack frame.
23078
23079 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
23080 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
23081 inferior function call.
23082
23083 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
23084 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
23085 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
23086
23087 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
23088 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
23089 it calls into a signal handler.
23090
23091 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
23092 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
23093
23094 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
23095 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
23096 newest frame.
23097 @end table
23098 @end defun
23099
23100 @defun Frame.unwind_stop_reason ()
23101 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
23102 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
23103 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
23104 function to a string.
23105 @end defun
23106
23107 @defun Frame.pc ()
23108 Returns the frame's resume address.
23109 @end defun
23110
23111 @defun Frame.block ()
23112 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
23113 @end defun
23114
23115 @defun Frame.function ()
23116 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
23117 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
23118 @end defun
23119
23120 @defun Frame.older ()
23121 Return the frame that called this frame.
23122 @end defun
23123
23124 @defun Frame.newer ()
23125 Return the frame called by this frame.
23126 @end defun
23127
23128 @defun Frame.find_sal ()
23129 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
23130 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
23131 @end defun
23132
23133 @defun Frame.read_var (variable @r{[}, block@r{]})
23134 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
23135 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
23136 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
23137 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
23138 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
23139 @code{gdb.Block} object.
23140 @end defun
23141
23142 @defun Frame.select ()
23143 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
23144 Stack}.
23145 @end defun
23146 @end table
23147
23148 @node Blocks In Python
23149 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
23150
23151 @cindex blocks in python
23152 @tindex gdb.Block
23153
23154 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
23155 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
23156 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
23157 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
23158 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
23159 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
23160 stack.
23161
23162 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23163 module:
23164
23165 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
23166 @defun gdb.block_for_pc (pc)
23167 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
23168 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
23169 will return @code{None}.
23170 @end defun
23171
23172 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
23173
23174 @table @code
23175 @defun Block.is_valid ()
23176 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
23177 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
23178 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
23179 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
23180 the time the method is called. This method is also made available to
23181 the Python iterator object that @code{gdb.Block} provides in an iteration
23182 context and via the Python @code{iter} built-in function.
23183 @end defun
23184 @end table
23185
23186 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
23187
23188 @table @code
23189 @defvar Block.start
23190 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
23191 @end defvar
23192
23193 @defvar Block.end
23194 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
23195 @end defvar
23196
23197 @defvar Block.function
23198 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
23199 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
23200 attribute is not writable.
23201 @end defvar
23202
23203 @defvar Block.superblock
23204 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
23205 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23206 @end defvar
23207 @end table
23208
23209 @node Symbols In Python
23210 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
23211
23212 @cindex symbols in python
23213 @tindex gdb.Symbol
23214
23215 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
23216 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
23217 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
23218 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
23219
23220 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23221 module:
23222
23223 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
23224 @defun gdb.lookup_symbol (name @r{[}, block @r{[}, domain@r{]]})
23225 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
23226 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
23227 arguments.
23228
23229 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
23230 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
23231 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
23232 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
23233 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
23234 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
23235 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
23236 in this chapter.
23237
23238 The result is a tuple of two elements.
23239 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
23240 is not found.
23241 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
23242 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
23243 otherwise it is @code{False}.
23244 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
23245 @end defun
23246
23247 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
23248 @defun gdb.lookup_global_symbol (name @r{[}, domain@r{]})
23249 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
23250 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
23251
23252 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
23253 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
23254 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
23255 module and described later in this chapter.
23256
23257 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
23258 is not found.
23259 @end defun
23260
23261 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
23262
23263 @table @code
23264 @defvar Symbol.type
23265 The type of the symbol or @code{None} if no type is recorded.
23266 This attribute is represented as a @code{gdb.Type} object.
23267 @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not writable.
23268 @end defvar
23269
23270 @defvar Symbol.symtab
23271 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
23272 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
23273 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
23274 @end defvar
23275
23276 @defvar Symbol.name
23277 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
23278 @end defvar
23279
23280 @defvar Symbol.linkage_name
23281 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
23282 This attribute is not writable.
23283 @end defvar
23284
23285 @defvar Symbol.print_name
23286 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
23287 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
23288 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
23289 @end defvar
23290
23291 @defvar Symbol.addr_class
23292 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
23293 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
23294 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
23295 @end defvar
23296
23297 @defvar Symbol.is_argument
23298 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
23299 @end defvar
23300
23301 @defvar Symbol.is_constant
23302 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
23303 @end defvar
23304
23305 @defvar Symbol.is_function
23306 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
23307 @end defvar
23308
23309 @defvar Symbol.is_variable
23310 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
23311 @end defvar
23312 @end table
23313
23314 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
23315
23316 @table @code
23317 @defun Symbol.is_valid ()
23318 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
23319 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
23320 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
23321 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
23322 invalid at the time the method is called.
23323 @end defun
23324 @end table
23325
23326 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
23327 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
23328
23329 @table @code
23330 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23331 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23332 @item gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23333 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
23334 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
23335 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
23336 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23337 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23338 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23339 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
23340 type values.
23341 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23342 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23343 @item gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23344 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
23345 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23346 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23347 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23348 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
23349 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23350 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23351 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23352 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
23353 contains everything minus functions and types.
23354 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
23355 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
23356 @item gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
23357 This domain contains all functions.
23358 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23359 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23360 @item gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23361 This domain contains all types.
23362 @end table
23363
23364 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
23365 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
23366
23367 @table @code
23368 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23369 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23370 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23371 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
23372 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
23373 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23374 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23375 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23376 Value is constant int.
23377 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23378 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23379 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23380 Value is at a fixed address.
23381 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23382 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23383 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23384 Value is in a register.
23385 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23386 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23387 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23388 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
23389 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
23390 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23391 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23392 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23393 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
23394 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
23395 offset, not the value itself.
23396 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23397 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23398 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23399 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
23400 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
23401 itself.
23402 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23403 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23404 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23405 Value is a local variable.
23406 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23407 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23408 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23409 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
23410 have this class.
23411 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23412 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23413 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23414 Value is a block.
23415 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23416 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23417 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23418 Value is a byte-sequence.
23419 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23420 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23421 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23422 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
23423 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
23424 referenced.
23425 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23426 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23427 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23428 The value does not actually exist in the program.
23429 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23430 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23431 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23432 The value's address is a computed location.
23433 @end table
23434
23435 @node Symbol Tables In Python
23436 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
23437
23438 @cindex symbol tables in python
23439 @tindex gdb.Symtab
23440 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
23441
23442 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
23443 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
23444 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
23445 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
23446 @xref{Frames In Python}.
23447
23448 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
23449 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
23450
23451 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
23452
23453 @table @code
23454 @defvar Symtab_and_line.symtab
23455 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
23456 This attribute is not writable.
23457 @end defvar
23458
23459 @defvar Symtab_and_line.pc
23460 Indicates the current program counter address. This attribute is not
23461 writable.
23462 @end defvar
23463
23464 @defvar Symtab_and_line.line
23465 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
23466 attribute is not writable.
23467 @end defvar
23468 @end table
23469
23470 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
23471
23472 @table @code
23473 @defun Symtab_and_line.is_valid ()
23474 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
23475 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
23476 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
23477 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
23478 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
23479 invalid at the time the method is called.
23480 @end defun
23481 @end table
23482
23483 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
23484
23485 @table @code
23486 @defvar Symtab.filename
23487 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
23488 @end defvar
23489
23490 @defvar Symtab.objfile
23491 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
23492 This attribute is not writable.
23493 @end defvar
23494 @end table
23495
23496 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
23497
23498 @table @code
23499 @defun Symtab.is_valid ()
23500 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
23501 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
23502 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
23503 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
23504 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
23505 @end defun
23506
23507 @defun Symtab.fullname ()
23508 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
23509 @end defun
23510 @end table
23511
23512 @node Breakpoints In Python
23513 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
23514
23515 @cindex breakpoints in python
23516 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
23517
23518 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
23519 class.
23520
23521 @defun Breakpoint.__init__ (spec @r{[}, type @r{[}, wp_class @r{[},internal@r{]]]})
23522 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
23523 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
23524 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
23525 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
23526 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
23527 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
23528 either: @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
23529 defaults to @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
23530 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
23531 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
23532 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
23533 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
23534 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
23535 @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
23536 assumed to be a @code{gdb.WP_WRITE} class.
23537 @end defun
23538
23539 @defun Breakpoint.stop (self)
23540 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
23541 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
23542 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
23543 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
23544 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
23545 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
23546 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
23547
23548 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
23549 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
23550 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
23551 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
23552 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
23553 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
23554
23555 Example @code{stop} implementation:
23556
23557 @smallexample
23558 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
23559 def stop (self):
23560 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
23561 if inf_val == 3:
23562 return True
23563 return False
23564 @end smallexample
23565 @end defun
23566
23567 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
23568 @code{gdb} module:
23569
23570 @table @code
23571 @findex WP_READ
23572 @findex gdb.WP_READ
23573 @item gdb.WP_READ
23574 Read only watchpoint.
23575
23576 @findex WP_WRITE
23577 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
23578 @item gdb.WP_WRITE
23579 Write only watchpoint.
23580
23581 @findex WP_ACCESS
23582 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
23583 @item gdb.WP_ACCESS
23584 Read/Write watchpoint.
23585 @end table
23586
23587 @defun Breakpoint.is_valid ()
23588 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
23589 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
23590 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
23591 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
23592 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
23593 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
23594 @end defun
23595
23596 @defun Breakpoint.delete
23597 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
23598 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
23599 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
23600 @end defun
23601
23602 @defvar Breakpoint.enabled
23603 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
23604 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
23605 @end defvar
23606
23607 @defvar Breakpoint.silent
23608 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
23609 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
23610
23611 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
23612 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
23613 @code{silent} attribute.
23614 @end defvar
23615
23616 @defvar Breakpoint.thread
23617 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
23618 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
23619 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
23620 @end defvar
23621
23622 @defvar Breakpoint.task
23623 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
23624 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
23625 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
23626 is writable.
23627 @end defvar
23628
23629 @defvar Breakpoint.ignore_count
23630 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
23631 This attribute is writable.
23632 @end defvar
23633
23634 @defvar Breakpoint.number
23635 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
23636 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
23637 @end defvar
23638
23639 @defvar Breakpoint.type
23640 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
23641 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
23642 writable.
23643 @end defvar
23644
23645 @defvar Breakpoint.visible
23646 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
23647 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
23648 attribute is not writable.
23649 @end defvar
23650
23651 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
23652 module:
23653
23654 @table @code
23655 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
23656 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
23657 @item gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
23658 Normal code breakpoint.
23659
23660 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
23661 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
23662 @item gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
23663 Watchpoint breakpoint.
23664
23665 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23666 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23667 @item gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23668 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
23669
23670 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23671 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23672 @item gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23673 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
23674
23675 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23676 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23677 @item gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23678 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
23679 @end table
23680
23681 @defvar Breakpoint.hit_count
23682 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
23683 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
23684 @end defvar
23685
23686 @defvar Breakpoint.location
23687 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
23688 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
23689 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
23690 attribute is not writable.
23691 @end defvar
23692
23693 @defvar Breakpoint.expression
23694 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
23695 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
23696 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
23697 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23698 @end defvar
23699
23700 @defvar Breakpoint.condition
23701 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
23702 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
23703 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
23704 @end defvar
23705
23706 @defvar Breakpoint.commands
23707 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
23708 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
23709 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
23710 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23711 @end defvar
23712
23713 @node Lazy Strings In Python
23714 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
23715
23716 @cindex lazy strings in python
23717 @tindex gdb.LazyString
23718
23719 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
23720 encoded until it is needed.
23721
23722 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
23723 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
23724 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
23725 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
23726 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
23727 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
23728 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
23729 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
23730 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
23731
23732 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
23733
23734 @defun LazyString.value ()
23735 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
23736 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
23737 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
23738 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
23739 @end defun
23740
23741 @defvar LazyString.address
23742 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
23743 writable.
23744 @end defvar
23745
23746 @defvar LazyString.length
23747 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
23748 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
23749 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
23750 @end defvar
23751
23752 @defvar LazyString.encoding
23753 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
23754 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
23755 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
23756 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
23757 is not writable.
23758 @end defvar
23759
23760 @defvar LazyString.type
23761 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
23762 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
23763 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
23764 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
23765 writable.
23766 @end defvar
23767
23768 @node Auto-loading
23769 @subsection Auto-loading
23770 @cindex auto-loading, Python
23771
23772 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
23773 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
23774 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
23775 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
23776
23777 @menu
23778 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23779 * .debug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23780 * Which flavor to choose?::
23781 @end menu
23782
23783 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
23784 debugging commands and scripts.
23785
23786 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
23787 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
23788
23789 @table @code
23790 @kindex set auto-load-scripts
23791 @item set auto-load-scripts [yes|no]
23792 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
23793
23794 @kindex show auto-load-scripts
23795 @item show auto-load-scripts
23796 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
23797
23798 @kindex info auto-load-scripts
23799 @cindex print list of auto-loaded scripts
23800 @item info auto-load-scripts [@var{regexp}]
23801 Print the list of all scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
23802
23803 Also printed is the list of scripts that were mentioned in
23804 the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
23805 (@pxref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}).
23806 This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
23807 tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
23808 an error message for each one is problematic.
23809
23810 If @var{regexp} is supplied only scripts with matching names are printed.
23811
23812 Example:
23813
23814 @smallexample
23815 (gdb) info auto-load-scripts
23816 Loaded Script
23817 Yes py-section-script.py
23818 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
23819 Missing my-foo-pretty-printers.py
23820 @end smallexample
23821 @end table
23822
23823 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
23824 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
23825 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
23826 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
23827
23828 @node objfile-gdb.py file
23829 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23830 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
23831
23832 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
23833 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
23834 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
23835 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
23836 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
23837 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
23838
23839 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
23840 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
23841 then @value{GDBN} will look for @var{real-name} in all of the
23842 directories mentioned in the value of @code{debug-file-directory}.
23843
23844 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
23845 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
23846 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
23847 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
23848 is the object file's real name, as described above.
23849
23850 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
23851 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
23852 @var{objfile} is opened.
23853 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
23854 is evaluated more than once.
23855
23856 @node .debug_gdb_scripts section
23857 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23858 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23859
23860 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
23861 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
23862 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
23863 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
23864
23865 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
23866 current directory and then along the source search path
23867 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
23868 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
23869 directory is not relevant to scripts.
23870
23871 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
23872 for example, this GCC macro:
23873
23874 @example
23875 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
23876 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
23877 asm("\
23878 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
23879 .byte 1\n\
23880 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
23881 .popsection \n\
23882 ");
23883 @end example
23884
23885 @noindent
23886 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
23887
23888 @example
23889 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
23890 @end example
23891
23892 The script name may include directories if desired.
23893
23894 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
23895 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
23896
23897 @node Which flavor to choose?
23898 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
23899
23900 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
23901 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
23902
23903 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
23904
23905 @itemize @bullet
23906 @item
23907 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
23908
23909 @item
23910 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
23911
23912 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
23913 in the source search path.
23914 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
23915 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
23916
23917 @item
23918 Doesn't require source code additions.
23919 @end itemize
23920
23921 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
23922
23923 @itemize @bullet
23924 @item
23925 Works with static linking.
23926
23927 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
23928 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
23929 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
23930 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
23931
23932 @item
23933 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
23934
23935 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
23936 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
23937
23938 @item
23939 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
23940
23941 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
23942 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
23943 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
23944 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
23945 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
23946 top of the source tree to the source search path.
23947 @end itemize
23948
23949 @node Python modules
23950 @subsection Python modules
23951 @cindex python modules
23952
23953 @value{GDBN} comes with several modules to assist writing Python code.
23954
23955 @menu
23956 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
23957 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
23958 * gdb.prompt:: Utilities for prompt value substitution.
23959 @end menu
23960
23961 @node gdb.printing
23962 @subsubsection gdb.printing
23963 @cindex gdb.printing
23964
23965 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23966 pretty-printers.
23967
23968 @table @code
23969 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
23970 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
23971 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
23972 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
23973
23974 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23975 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
23976 corresponding API for the subprinters.
23977
23978 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23979 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
23980 regular expressions.
23981 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
23982
23983 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer})
23984 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
23985 @end table
23986
23987 @node gdb.types
23988 @subsubsection gdb.types
23989 @cindex gdb.types
23990
23991 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23992 @code{gdb.Types} objects.
23993
23994 @table @code
23995 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
23996 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
23997 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
23998
23999 C@t{++} example:
24000
24001 @smallexample
24002 typedef const int const_int;
24003 const_int foo (3);
24004 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
24005 int main () @{ return 0; @}
24006 @end smallexample
24007
24008 Then in gdb:
24009
24010 @smallexample
24011 (gdb) start
24012 (gdb) python import gdb.types
24013 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
24014 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
24015 int
24016 @end smallexample
24017
24018 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
24019 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
24020 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
24021
24022 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
24023 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
24024 @end table
24025
24026 @node gdb.prompt
24027 @subsubsection gdb.prompt
24028 @cindex gdb.prompt
24029
24030 This module provides a method for prompt value-substitution.
24031
24032 @table @code
24033 @item substitute_prompt (@var{string})
24034 Return @var{string} with escape sequences substituted by values. Some
24035 escape sequences take arguments. You can specify arguments inside
24036 ``@{@}'' immediately following the escape sequence.
24037
24038 The escape sequences you can pass to this function are:
24039
24040 @table @code
24041 @item \\
24042 Substitute a backslash.
24043 @item \e
24044 Substitute an ESC character.
24045 @item \f
24046 Substitute the selected frame; an argument names a frame parameter.
24047 @item \n
24048 Substitute a newline.
24049 @item \p
24050 Substitute a parameter's value; the argument names the parameter.
24051 @item \r
24052 Substitute a carriage return.
24053 @item \t
24054 Substitute the selected thread; an argument names a thread parameter.
24055 @item \v
24056 Substitute the version of GDB.
24057 @item \w
24058 Substitute the current working directory.
24059 @item \[
24060 Begin a sequence of non-printing characters. These sequences are
24061 typically used with the ESC character, and are not counted in the string
24062 length. Example: ``\[\e[0;34m\](gdb)\[\e[0m\]'' will return a
24063 blue-colored ``(gdb)'' prompt where the length is five.
24064 @item \]
24065 End a sequence of non-printing characters.
24066 @end table
24067
24068 For example:
24069
24070 @smallexample
24071 substitute_prompt (``frame: \f,
24072 print arguments: \p@{print frame-arguments@}'')
24073 @end smallexample
24074
24075 @exdent will return the string:
24076
24077 @smallexample
24078 "frame: main, print arguments: scalars"
24079 @end smallexample
24080 @end table
24081
24082 @node Interpreters
24083 @chapter Command Interpreters
24084 @cindex command interpreters
24085
24086 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
24087 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
24088 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
24089
24090 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
24091 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
24092 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
24093 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
24094
24095 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
24096 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
24097 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
24098 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
24099
24100 @table @code
24101 @item console
24102 @cindex console interpreter
24103 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
24104 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
24105 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
24106
24107 @item mi
24108 @cindex mi interpreter
24109 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
24110 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
24111 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
24112 Interface}.
24113
24114 @item mi2
24115 @cindex mi2 interpreter
24116 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
24117
24118 @item mi1
24119 @cindex mi1 interpreter
24120 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
24121
24122 @end table
24123
24124 @cindex invoke another interpreter
24125 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
24126 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
24127 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
24128 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
24129 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
24130 the IDE inoperable!
24131
24132 @kindex interpreter-exec
24133 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
24134 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
24135 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
24136 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
24137
24138 @smallexample
24139 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
24140 @end smallexample
24141
24142 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
24143 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
24144
24145 @node TUI
24146 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
24147 @cindex TUI
24148 @cindex Text User Interface
24149
24150 @menu
24151 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
24152 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
24153 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
24154 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
24155 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
24156 @end menu
24157
24158 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
24159 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
24160 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
24161 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
24162 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
24163 is available.
24164
24165 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
24166 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
24167 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
24168 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
24169 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
24170 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
24171
24172 @node TUI Overview
24173 @section TUI Overview
24174
24175 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
24176
24177 @table @emph
24178 @item command
24179 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
24180 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
24181 managed using readline.
24182
24183 @item source
24184 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
24185 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
24186
24187 @item assembly
24188 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
24189
24190 @item register
24191 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
24192 when their values change.
24193 @end table
24194
24195 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
24196 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
24197 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
24198 indicates the breakpoint type:
24199
24200 @table @code
24201 @item B
24202 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
24203
24204 @item b
24205 Breakpoint which was never hit.
24206
24207 @item H
24208 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
24209
24210 @item h
24211 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
24212 @end table
24213
24214 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
24215
24216 @table @code
24217 @item +
24218 Breakpoint is enabled.
24219
24220 @item -
24221 Breakpoint is disabled.
24222 @end table
24223
24224 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
24225 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
24226 changes.
24227
24228 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
24229 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
24230 layouts:
24231
24232 @itemize @bullet
24233 @item
24234 source only,
24235
24236 @item
24237 assembly only,
24238
24239 @item
24240 source and assembly,
24241
24242 @item
24243 source and registers, or
24244
24245 @item
24246 assembly and registers.
24247 @end itemize
24248
24249 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
24250
24251 @table @emph
24252 @item target
24253 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
24254 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
24255
24256 @item process
24257 Gives the current process or thread number.
24258 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
24259
24260 @item function
24261 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
24262 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
24263 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
24264 the string @code{??} is displayed.
24265
24266 @item line
24267 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
24268 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
24269
24270 @item pc
24271 Indicates the current program counter address.
24272 @end table
24273
24274 @node TUI Keys
24275 @section TUI Key Bindings
24276 @cindex TUI key bindings
24277
24278 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
24279 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
24280 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
24281 @end ifset
24282 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
24283 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
24284 @end ifclear
24285 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
24286 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
24287
24288 @table @kbd
24289 @kindex C-x C-a
24290 @item C-x C-a
24291 @kindex C-x a
24292 @itemx C-x a
24293 @kindex C-x A
24294 @itemx C-x A
24295 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
24296 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
24297 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
24298 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
24299 The screen is then refreshed.
24300
24301 @kindex C-x 1
24302 @item C-x 1
24303 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
24304 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
24305 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
24306
24307 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
24308
24309 @kindex C-x 2
24310 @item C-x 2
24311 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
24312 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
24313 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
24314 previous layout and the new one.
24315
24316 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
24317
24318 @kindex C-x o
24319 @item C-x o
24320 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
24321 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
24322 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
24323
24324 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
24325
24326 @kindex C-x s
24327 @item C-x s
24328 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
24329 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
24330 @end table
24331
24332 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
24333
24334 @table @asis
24335 @kindex PgUp
24336 @item @key{PgUp}
24337 Scroll the active window one page up.
24338
24339 @kindex PgDn
24340 @item @key{PgDn}
24341 Scroll the active window one page down.
24342
24343 @kindex Up
24344 @item @key{Up}
24345 Scroll the active window one line up.
24346
24347 @kindex Down
24348 @item @key{Down}
24349 Scroll the active window one line down.
24350
24351 @kindex Left
24352 @item @key{Left}
24353 Scroll the active window one column left.
24354
24355 @kindex Right
24356 @item @key{Right}
24357 Scroll the active window one column right.
24358
24359 @kindex C-L
24360 @item @kbd{C-L}
24361 Refresh the screen.
24362 @end table
24363
24364 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
24365 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
24366 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
24367 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
24368 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
24369
24370 @node TUI Single Key Mode
24371 @section TUI Single Key Mode
24372 @cindex TUI single key mode
24373
24374 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
24375 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
24376 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
24377
24378 @table @kbd
24379 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24380 @item c
24381 continue
24382
24383 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24384 @item d
24385 down
24386
24387 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24388 @item f
24389 finish
24390
24391 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24392 @item n
24393 next
24394
24395 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24396 @item q
24397 exit the SingleKey mode.
24398
24399 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24400 @item r
24401 run
24402
24403 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24404 @item s
24405 step
24406
24407 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24408 @item u
24409 up
24410
24411 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24412 @item v
24413 info locals
24414
24415 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24416 @item w
24417 where
24418 @end table
24419
24420 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24421 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
24422 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
24423 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
24424 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
24425 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
24426
24427
24428 @node TUI Commands
24429 @section TUI-specific Commands
24430 @cindex TUI commands
24431
24432 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
24433 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
24434 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
24435 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
24436
24437 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
24438 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
24439 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
24440 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
24441 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
24442
24443 @table @code
24444 @item info win
24445 @kindex info win
24446 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
24447
24448 @item layout next
24449 @kindex layout
24450 Display the next layout.
24451
24452 @item layout prev
24453 Display the previous layout.
24454
24455 @item layout src
24456 Display the source window only.
24457
24458 @item layout asm
24459 Display the assembly window only.
24460
24461 @item layout split
24462 Display the source and assembly window.
24463
24464 @item layout regs
24465 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
24466
24467 @item focus next
24468 @kindex focus
24469 Make the next window active for scrolling.
24470
24471 @item focus prev
24472 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
24473
24474 @item focus src
24475 Make the source window active for scrolling.
24476
24477 @item focus asm
24478 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
24479
24480 @item focus regs
24481 Make the register window active for scrolling.
24482
24483 @item focus cmd
24484 Make the command window active for scrolling.
24485
24486 @item refresh
24487 @kindex refresh
24488 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
24489
24490 @item tui reg float
24491 @kindex tui reg
24492 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
24493
24494 @item tui reg general
24495 Show the general registers in the register window.
24496
24497 @item tui reg next
24498 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
24499 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
24500 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
24501 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
24502
24503 @item tui reg system
24504 Show the system registers in the register window.
24505
24506 @item update
24507 @kindex update
24508 Update the source window and the current execution point.
24509
24510 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
24511 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
24512 @kindex winheight
24513 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
24514 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
24515 decrease it.
24516
24517 @item tabset @var{nchars}
24518 @kindex tabset
24519 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
24520 @end table
24521
24522 @node TUI Configuration
24523 @section TUI Configuration Variables
24524 @cindex TUI configuration variables
24525
24526 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
24527
24528 @table @code
24529 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
24530 @kindex set tui border-kind
24531 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
24532 The possible values are the following:
24533 @table @code
24534 @item space
24535 Use a space character to draw the border.
24536
24537 @item ascii
24538 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
24539
24540 @item acs
24541 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
24542 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
24543 @end table
24544
24545 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
24546 @kindex set tui border-mode
24547 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
24548 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
24549 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
24550 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
24551 @table @code
24552 @item normal
24553 Use normal attributes to display the border.
24554
24555 @item standout
24556 Use standout mode.
24557
24558 @item reverse
24559 Use reverse video mode.
24560
24561 @item half
24562 Use half bright mode.
24563
24564 @item half-standout
24565 Use half bright and standout mode.
24566
24567 @item bold
24568 Use extra bright or bold mode.
24569
24570 @item bold-standout
24571 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
24572 @end table
24573 @end table
24574
24575 @node Emacs
24576 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
24577
24578 @cindex Emacs
24579 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
24580 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
24581 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
24582 @value{GDBN}.
24583
24584 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
24585 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
24586 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
24587 created Emacs buffer.
24588 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
24589
24590 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
24591 things:
24592
24593 @itemize @bullet
24594 @item
24595 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
24596 the GUD buffer.
24597
24598 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
24599 and output done by the program you are debugging.
24600
24601 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
24602 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
24603 in this way.
24604
24605 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
24606 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
24607 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
24608 stop.
24609
24610 @item
24611 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
24612
24613 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
24614 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
24615 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
24616 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
24617 and the source.
24618
24619 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
24620 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
24621 @end itemize
24622
24623 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
24624 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
24625 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
24626 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
24627
24628 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
24629 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
24630 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
24631 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
24632 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
24633 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
24634 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
24635 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
24636 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
24637
24638 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
24639 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
24640 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
24641 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
24642
24643 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
24644 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
24645 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
24646 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
24647 one you want.
24648
24649 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
24650 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
24651
24652 @table @kbd
24653 @item C-h m
24654 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
24655
24656 @item C-c C-s
24657 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
24658 update the display window to show the current file and location.
24659
24660 @item C-c C-n
24661 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
24662 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
24663 to show the current file and location.
24664
24665 @item C-c C-i
24666 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
24667 display window accordingly.
24668
24669 @item C-c C-f
24670 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
24671 @code{finish} command.
24672
24673 @item C-c C-r
24674 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
24675 command.
24676
24677 @item C-c <
24678 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
24679 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
24680 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
24681
24682 @item C-c >
24683 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
24684 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
24685 @end table
24686
24687 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
24688 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
24689
24690 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
24691 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
24692 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
24693 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
24694 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
24695 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
24696 speedbar displays watch expressions.
24697
24698 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
24699 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
24700 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
24701 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
24702 frame.
24703
24704 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
24705 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
24706 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
24707 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
24708 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
24709 to correspond properly with the code.
24710
24711 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
24712 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
24713 Emacs Manual}).
24714
24715 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
24716 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
24717 @ignore
24718 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
24719 @kindex Epoch
24720 @kindex inspect
24721
24722 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
24723 called the @code{epoch}
24724 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
24725 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
24726 each value is printed in its own window.
24727 @end ignore
24728
24729
24730 @node GDB/MI
24731 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
24732
24733 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
24734
24735 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
24736 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
24737 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
24738 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
24739 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
24740 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
24741
24742 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
24743 in the form of a reference manual.
24744
24745 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
24746 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
24747 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
24748
24749 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
24750
24751 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
24752 This chapter uses the following notation:
24753
24754 @itemize @bullet
24755 @item
24756 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
24757
24758 @item
24759 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
24760 it may or may not be given.
24761
24762 @item
24763 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24764 may repeat zero or more times.
24765
24766 @item
24767 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24768 may repeat one or more times.
24769
24770 @item
24771 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
24772 @end itemize
24773
24774 @ignore
24775 @heading Dependencies
24776 @end ignore
24777
24778 @menu
24779 * GDB/MI General Design::
24780 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
24781 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
24782 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
24783 * GDB/MI Output Records::
24784 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
24785 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
24786 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
24787 * GDB/MI Program Context::
24788 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
24789 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
24790 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
24791 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
24792 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
24793 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
24794 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
24795 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
24796 * GDB/MI File Commands::
24797 @ignore
24798 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
24799 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
24800 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
24801 @end ignore
24802 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
24803 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
24804 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
24805 @end menu
24806
24807 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24808 @node GDB/MI General Design
24809 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
24810 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
24811
24812 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
24813 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
24814 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
24815 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
24816 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
24817 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
24818 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
24819 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
24820 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
24821 a command and reported as part of that command response.
24822
24823 The important examples of notifications are:
24824 @itemize @bullet
24825
24826 @item
24827 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
24828 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
24829 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
24830 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
24831 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
24832 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
24833 command itself was successfully executed.
24834
24835 @item
24836 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
24837 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
24838 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
24839 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
24840 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
24841 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
24842
24843 @item
24844 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
24845 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
24846 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
24847 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
24848 orthogonal frontend design.
24849
24850 @end itemize
24851
24852 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
24853 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
24854 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
24855 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
24856 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
24857 the user interface.
24858
24859
24860 @menu
24861 * Context management::
24862 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
24863 * Thread groups::
24864 @end menu
24865
24866 @node Context management
24867 @subsection Context management
24868
24869 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
24870 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
24871 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
24872 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
24873 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
24874 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
24875 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
24876 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
24877 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
24878
24879 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
24880 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
24881 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
24882 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
24883 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
24884 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
24885 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
24886 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
24887 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
24888 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
24889 for thread and frame to operate on.
24890
24891 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
24892 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
24893 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
24894 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
24895 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
24896 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
24897 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
24898 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
24899 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
24900 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
24901
24902 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
24903 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
24904 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
24905 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
24906 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
24907 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
24908 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
24909 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
24910 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
24911 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
24912 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
24913 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
24914 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
24915 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
24916 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
24917 @samp{--frame} options.
24918
24919 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
24920 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
24921
24922 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
24923 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
24924 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
24925 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
24926 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
24927 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
24928 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
24929 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
24930 @code{-list-target-features} command.
24931
24932 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
24933 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
24934 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
24935 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
24936 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
24937 are running.
24938
24939 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
24940 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
24941 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
24942 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
24943 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
24944 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
24945 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
24946 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
24947 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
24948 @samp{--thread} option).
24949
24950 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
24951 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
24952 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
24953 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
24954
24955 @node Thread groups
24956 @subsection Thread groups
24957 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
24958 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
24959 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
24960 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
24961 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
24962
24963 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
24964 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
24965 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
24966 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
24967 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
24968 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
24969 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
24970 into processes.
24971
24972 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
24973 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
24974 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
24975 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
24976 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
24977 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
24978 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
24979 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
24980 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
24981 the members of specific thread group.
24982
24983 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
24984 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
24985 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
24986 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
24987 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
24988 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
24989 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
24990 after attaching to that thread group.
24991
24992 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
24993 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
24994 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
24995 such thread groups.
24996
24997 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24998 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
24999 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
25000
25001 @menu
25002 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
25003 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
25004 @end menu
25005
25006 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
25007 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
25008
25009 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
25010 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
25011 @table @code
25012 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
25013 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
25014
25015 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
25016 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
25017 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
25018
25019 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
25020 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
25021 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
25022
25023 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
25024 "any sequence of digits"
25025
25026 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
25027 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
25028
25029 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
25030 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
25031
25032 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
25033 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
25034
25035 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
25036 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
25037 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
25038
25039 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
25040 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
25041
25042 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
25043 @code{CR | CR-LF}
25044 @end table
25045
25046 @noindent
25047 Notes:
25048
25049 @itemize @bullet
25050 @item
25051 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
25052 output is described below.
25053
25054 @item
25055 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
25056 finishes.
25057
25058 @item
25059 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
25060 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
25061 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
25062 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
25063 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
25064 @end itemize
25065
25066 Pragmatics:
25067
25068 @itemize @bullet
25069 @item
25070 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
25071
25072 @item
25073 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
25074 @end itemize
25075
25076 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
25077 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
25078
25079 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
25080 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
25081 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
25082 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
25083 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
25084 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
25085
25086 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
25087 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
25088 @var{token}.
25089
25090 @table @code
25091 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
25092 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
25093
25094 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
25095 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
25096
25097 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
25098 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
25099
25100 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
25101 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
25102
25103 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
25104 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
25105
25106 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
25107 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
25108
25109 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
25110 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
25111
25112 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
25113 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
25114
25115 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
25116 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
25117
25118 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
25119 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
25120 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
25121
25122 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
25123 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
25124
25125 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
25126 @code{ @var{string} }
25127
25128 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
25129 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
25130
25131 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
25132 @code{@var{c-string}}
25133
25134 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
25135 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
25136
25137 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
25138 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
25139 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
25140
25141 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
25142 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
25143
25144 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
25145 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
25146
25147 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
25148 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
25149
25150 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
25151 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
25152
25153 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
25154 @code{CR | CR-LF}
25155
25156 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
25157 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
25158 @end table
25159
25160 @noindent
25161 Notes:
25162
25163 @itemize @bullet
25164 @item
25165 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
25166
25167 @item
25168 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
25169 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
25170 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
25171 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
25172 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
25173 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
25174 prior command.
25175
25176 @item
25177 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25178 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
25179 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
25180 prefixed by @samp{+}.
25181
25182 @item
25183 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25184 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
25185 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
25186 @samp{*}.
25187
25188 @item
25189 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25190 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
25191 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
25192 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
25193
25194 @item
25195 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25196 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
25197 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
25198 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
25199
25200 @item
25201 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25202 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
25203 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
25204
25205 @item
25206 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25207 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
25208 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
25209 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
25210
25211 @item
25212 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25213 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
25214 @var{values}.
25215
25216
25217 @end itemize
25218
25219 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
25220 details about the various output records.
25221
25222 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25223 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
25224 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
25225
25226 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
25227 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
25228
25229 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
25230 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
25231 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
25232 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
25233 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
25234 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
25235
25236 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
25237 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
25238 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
25239
25240 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25241 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
25242 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
25243 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
25244
25245 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
25246 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
25247
25248 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
25249 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
25250 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
25251 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
25252 might change.
25253
25254 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
25255 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
25256 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
25257 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
25258
25259 @itemize @bullet
25260 @item
25261 New MI commands may be added.
25262
25263 @item
25264 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
25265
25266 @item
25267 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
25268 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
25269
25270 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
25271 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
25272
25273 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
25274 @c resolve inconsistencies.
25275 @end itemize
25276
25277 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
25278 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
25279 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
25280 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
25281 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
25282
25283 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
25284 @c version?
25285
25286 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
25287 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
25288 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
25289 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
25290 @cindex mailing lists
25291
25292 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25293 @node GDB/MI Output Records
25294 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
25295
25296 @menu
25297 * GDB/MI Result Records::
25298 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
25299 * GDB/MI Async Records::
25300 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
25301 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
25302 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
25303 @end menu
25304
25305 @node GDB/MI Result Records
25306 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
25307
25308 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25309 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
25310 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
25311 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
25312
25313 @table @code
25314 @findex ^done
25315 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
25316 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
25317 values.
25318
25319 @item "^running"
25320 @findex ^running
25321 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
25322 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
25323 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
25324 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
25325 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
25326 which threads are resumed.
25327
25328 @item "^connected"
25329 @findex ^connected
25330 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
25331
25332 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
25333 @findex ^error
25334 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
25335 error message.
25336
25337 @item "^exit"
25338 @findex ^exit
25339 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
25340
25341 @end table
25342
25343 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
25344 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
25345
25346 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
25347 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25348 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
25349 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
25350 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
25351
25352 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
25353 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
25354 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
25355 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
25356 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
25357
25358 @table @code
25359 @item "~" @var{string-output}
25360 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
25361 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
25362
25363 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
25364 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
25365 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
25366 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
25367
25368 @item "&" @var{string-output}
25369 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
25370 internals.
25371 @end table
25372
25373 @node GDB/MI Async Records
25374 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
25375
25376 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25377 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
25378 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
25379 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
25380 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
25381 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
25382
25383 The following is the list of possible async records:
25384
25385 @table @code
25386
25387 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
25388 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
25389 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
25390 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
25391 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
25392 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
25393 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
25394 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
25395 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
25396 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
25397
25398 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
25399 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
25400 following values:
25401
25402 @table @code
25403 @item breakpoint-hit
25404 A breakpoint was reached.
25405 @item watchpoint-trigger
25406 A watchpoint was triggered.
25407 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
25408 A read watchpoint was triggered.
25409 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
25410 An access watchpoint was triggered.
25411 @item function-finished
25412 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25413 @item location-reached
25414 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25415 @item watchpoint-scope
25416 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
25417 @item end-stepping-range
25418 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
25419 similar CLI command was accomplished.
25420 @item exited-signalled
25421 The inferior exited because of a signal.
25422 @item exited
25423 The inferior exited.
25424 @item exited-normally
25425 The inferior exited normally.
25426 @item signal-received
25427 A signal was received by the inferior.
25428 @end table
25429
25430 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
25431 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
25432 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
25433 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
25434 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
25435 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
25436 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
25437 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
25438 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
25439 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
25440 if such information is not available.
25441
25442 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
25443 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
25444 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
25445 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
25446 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
25447 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
25448 cannot be used in any way.
25449
25450 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
25451 A thread group became associated with a running program,
25452 either because the program was just started or the thread group
25453 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
25454 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
25455 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
25456
25457 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
25458 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
25459 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
25460 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
25461 thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
25462 only when the inferior exited with some code.
25463
25464 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
25465 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
25466 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
25467 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
25468 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
25469
25470 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
25471 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
25472 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
25473 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
25474 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
25475 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
25476 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
25477
25478 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
25479 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
25480 that thread.
25481
25482 @item =library-loaded,...
25483 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
25484 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
25485 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
25486 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
25487 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
25488 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
25489 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
25490 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
25491 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
25492 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
25493 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
25494 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
25495 thread groups.
25496
25497 @item =library-unloaded,...
25498 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
25499 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
25500 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
25501 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
25502 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
25503 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
25504 thread groups.
25505
25506 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
25507 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
25508 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,bkpt=@{...@}
25509 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
25510 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
25511 user.
25512
25513 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
25514 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}.
25515
25516 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
25517 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
25518
25519 @end table
25520
25521 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
25522 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
25523
25524 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
25525 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
25526 fields:
25527
25528 @table @code
25529 @item level
25530 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
25531 zero. This field is always present.
25532
25533 @item func
25534 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
25535 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
25536
25537 @item addr
25538 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
25539
25540 @item file
25541 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
25542 address. This field may be absent.
25543
25544 @item line
25545 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
25546 may be absent.
25547
25548 @item from
25549 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
25550 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
25551
25552 @end table
25553
25554 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
25555 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
25556
25557 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
25558 uses a tuple with the following fields:
25559
25560 @table @code
25561 @item id
25562 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
25563 always present.
25564
25565 @item target-id
25566 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
25567
25568 @item details
25569 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
25570 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
25571 frontend. This field is optional.
25572
25573 @item state
25574 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
25575 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
25576
25577 @item core
25578 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
25579 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
25580 @end table
25581
25582 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
25583 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
25584
25585 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
25586 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
25587 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
25588 the @code{exception-name} field.
25589
25590 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25591 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
25592 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
25593 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
25594
25595 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
25596 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
25597 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
25598 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
25599
25600 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
25601 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
25602
25603 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
25604
25605 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
25606 information of the breakpoint.
25607
25608 @smallexample
25609 -> -break-insert main
25610 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25611 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
25612 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
25613 <- (gdb)
25614 @end smallexample
25615
25616 @subheading Program Execution
25617
25618 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
25619 reason that execution stopped.
25620
25621 @smallexample
25622 -> -exec-run
25623 <- ^running
25624 <- (gdb)
25625 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
25626 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
25627 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
25628 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
25629 <- (gdb)
25630 -> -exec-continue
25631 <- ^running
25632 <- (gdb)
25633 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
25634 <- (gdb)
25635 @end smallexample
25636
25637 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
25638
25639 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
25640
25641 @smallexample
25642 -> (gdb)
25643 <- -gdb-exit
25644 <- ^exit
25645 @end smallexample
25646
25647 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
25648 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
25649 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
25650 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
25651 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
25652 fails to exit in reasonable time.
25653
25654 @subheading A Bad Command
25655
25656 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
25657
25658 @smallexample
25659 -> -rubbish
25660 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
25661 <- (gdb)
25662 @end smallexample
25663
25664
25665 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25666 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
25667 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
25668
25669 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
25670 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
25671
25672 @subheading Motivation
25673
25674 The motivation for this collection of commands.
25675
25676 @subheading Introduction
25677
25678 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
25679
25680 @subheading Commands
25681
25682 For each command in the block, the following is described:
25683
25684 @subsubheading Synopsis
25685
25686 @smallexample
25687 -command @var{args}@dots{}
25688 @end smallexample
25689
25690 @subsubheading Result
25691
25692 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25693
25694 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
25695
25696 @subsubheading Example
25697
25698 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
25699 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
25700
25701
25702 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25703 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
25704 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
25705
25706 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
25707 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
25708 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
25709 breakpoints.
25710
25711 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
25712 @findex -break-after
25713
25714 @subsubheading Synopsis
25715
25716 @smallexample
25717 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
25718 @end smallexample
25719
25720 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
25721 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
25722 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
25723 @samp{-break-list} command below.
25724
25725 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25726
25727 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
25728
25729 @subsubheading Example
25730
25731 @smallexample
25732 (gdb)
25733 -break-insert main
25734 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25735 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
25736 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
25737 (gdb)
25738 -break-after 1 3
25739 ~
25740 ^done
25741 (gdb)
25742 -break-list
25743 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25744 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25745 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25746 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25747 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25748 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25749 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25750 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25751 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25752 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
25753 (gdb)
25754 @end smallexample
25755
25756 @ignore
25757 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
25758 @findex -break-catch
25759 @end ignore
25760
25761 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
25762 @findex -break-commands
25763
25764 @subsubheading Synopsis
25765
25766 @smallexample
25767 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
25768 @end smallexample
25769
25770 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
25771 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
25772 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
25773 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
25774 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
25775 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
25776
25777 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25778
25779 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
25780
25781 @subsubheading Example
25782
25783 @smallexample
25784 (gdb)
25785 -break-insert main
25786 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25787 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
25788 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
25789 (gdb)
25790 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
25791 ^done
25792 (gdb)
25793 @end smallexample
25794
25795 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
25796 @findex -break-condition
25797
25798 @subsubheading Synopsis
25799
25800 @smallexample
25801 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
25802 @end smallexample
25803
25804 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
25805 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
25806 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
25807 command below).
25808
25809 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25810
25811 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
25812
25813 @subsubheading Example
25814
25815 @smallexample
25816 (gdb)
25817 -break-condition 1 1
25818 ^done
25819 (gdb)
25820 -break-list
25821 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25822 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25823 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25824 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25825 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25826 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25827 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25828 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25829 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25830 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
25831 (gdb)
25832 @end smallexample
25833
25834 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
25835 @findex -break-delete
25836
25837 @subsubheading Synopsis
25838
25839 @smallexample
25840 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25841 @end smallexample
25842
25843 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
25844 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
25845
25846 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25847
25848 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
25849
25850 @subsubheading Example
25851
25852 @smallexample
25853 (gdb)
25854 -break-delete 1
25855 ^done
25856 (gdb)
25857 -break-list
25858 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
25859 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25860 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25861 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25862 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25863 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25864 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25865 body=[]@}
25866 (gdb)
25867 @end smallexample
25868
25869 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
25870 @findex -break-disable
25871
25872 @subsubheading Synopsis
25873
25874 @smallexample
25875 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25876 @end smallexample
25877
25878 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
25879 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
25880
25881 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25882
25883 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
25884
25885 @subsubheading Example
25886
25887 @smallexample
25888 (gdb)
25889 -break-disable 2
25890 ^done
25891 (gdb)
25892 -break-list
25893 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25894 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25895 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25896 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25897 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25898 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25899 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25900 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
25901 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25902 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25903 (gdb)
25904 @end smallexample
25905
25906 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
25907 @findex -break-enable
25908
25909 @subsubheading Synopsis
25910
25911 @smallexample
25912 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25913 @end smallexample
25914
25915 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
25916
25917 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25918
25919 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
25920
25921 @subsubheading Example
25922
25923 @smallexample
25924 (gdb)
25925 -break-enable 2
25926 ^done
25927 (gdb)
25928 -break-list
25929 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25930 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25931 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25932 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25933 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25934 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25935 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25936 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25937 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25938 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25939 (gdb)
25940 @end smallexample
25941
25942 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
25943 @findex -break-info
25944
25945 @subsubheading Synopsis
25946
25947 @smallexample
25948 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
25949 @end smallexample
25950
25951 @c REDUNDANT???
25952 Get information about a single breakpoint.
25953
25954 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25955
25956 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
25957
25958 @subsubheading Example
25959 N.A.
25960
25961 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
25962 @findex -break-insert
25963
25964 @subsubheading Synopsis
25965
25966 @smallexample
25967 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
25968 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
25969 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
25970 @end smallexample
25971
25972 @noindent
25973 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
25974
25975 @itemize @bullet
25976 @item function
25977 @c @item +offset
25978 @c @item -offset
25979 @c @item linenum
25980 @item filename:linenum
25981 @item filename:function
25982 @item *address
25983 @end itemize
25984
25985 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
25986
25987 @table @samp
25988 @item -t
25989 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
25990 @item -h
25991 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
25992 @item -c @var{condition}
25993 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
25994 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
25995 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
25996 @item -f
25997 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
25998 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
25999 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
26000 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
26001 cannot be parsed.
26002 @item -d
26003 Create a disabled breakpoint.
26004 @item -a
26005 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
26006 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
26007 @end table
26008
26009 @subsubheading Result
26010
26011 The result is in the form:
26012
26013 @smallexample
26014 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
26015 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
26016 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
26017 times="@var{times}"@}
26018 @end smallexample
26019
26020 @noindent
26021 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
26022 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
26023 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
26024 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
26025 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
26026 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
26027 which use the same output).
26028
26029 Note: this format is open to change.
26030 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
26031
26032 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26033
26034 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
26035 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
26036
26037 @subsubheading Example
26038
26039 @smallexample
26040 (gdb)
26041 -break-insert main
26042 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
26043 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
26044 (gdb)
26045 -break-insert -t foo
26046 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
26047 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
26048 (gdb)
26049 -break-list
26050 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26051 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26052 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26053 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26054 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26055 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26056 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26057 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26058 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
26059 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
26060 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
26061 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
26062 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
26063 (gdb)
26064 -break-insert -r foo.*
26065 ~int foo(int, int);
26066 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
26067 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
26068 (gdb)
26069 @end smallexample
26070
26071 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
26072 @findex -break-list
26073
26074 @subsubheading Synopsis
26075
26076 @smallexample
26077 -break-list
26078 @end smallexample
26079
26080 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
26081
26082 @table @samp
26083 @item Number
26084 number of the breakpoint
26085 @item Type
26086 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
26087 @item Disposition
26088 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
26089 or @samp{nokeep}
26090 @item Enabled
26091 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
26092 @item Address
26093 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
26094 @item What
26095 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
26096 name, line number
26097 @item Times
26098 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
26099 @end table
26100
26101 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
26102 @code{body} field is an empty list.
26103
26104 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26105
26106 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
26107
26108 @subsubheading Example
26109
26110 @smallexample
26111 (gdb)
26112 -break-list
26113 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26114 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26115 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26116 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26117 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26118 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26119 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26120 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26121 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
26122 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26123 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26124 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
26125 (gdb)
26126 @end smallexample
26127
26128 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
26129
26130 @smallexample
26131 (gdb)
26132 -break-list
26133 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
26134 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26135 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26136 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26137 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26138 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26139 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26140 body=[]@}
26141 (gdb)
26142 @end smallexample
26143
26144 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
26145 @findex -break-passcount
26146
26147 @subsubheading Synopsis
26148
26149 @smallexample
26150 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
26151 @end smallexample
26152
26153 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
26154 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
26155 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
26156 command @samp{passcount}.
26157
26158 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
26159 @findex -break-watch
26160
26161 @subsubheading Synopsis
26162
26163 @smallexample
26164 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
26165 @end smallexample
26166
26167 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
26168 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
26169 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
26170 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
26171 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
26172 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
26173 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
26174 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
26175
26176 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
26177 breakpoints inserted.
26178
26179 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26180
26181 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
26182 @samp{rwatch}.
26183
26184 @subsubheading Example
26185
26186 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
26187
26188 @smallexample
26189 (gdb)
26190 -break-watch x
26191 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
26192 (gdb)
26193 -exec-continue
26194 ^running
26195 (gdb)
26196 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
26197 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
26198 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
26199 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
26200 (gdb)
26201 @end smallexample
26202
26203 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
26204 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
26205 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
26206
26207 @smallexample
26208 (gdb)
26209 -break-watch C
26210 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
26211 (gdb)
26212 -exec-continue
26213 ^running
26214 (gdb)
26215 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
26216 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
26217 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26218 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26219 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
26220 (gdb)
26221 -exec-continue
26222 ^running
26223 (gdb)
26224 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
26225 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
26226 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26227 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26228 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26229 (gdb)
26230 @end smallexample
26231
26232 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
26233 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
26234 deleted.
26235
26236 @smallexample
26237 (gdb)
26238 -break-watch C
26239 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
26240 (gdb)
26241 -break-list
26242 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26243 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26244 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26245 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26246 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26247 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26248 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26249 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26250 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26251 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26252 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
26253 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
26254 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
26255 (gdb)
26256 -exec-continue
26257 ^running
26258 (gdb)
26259 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
26260 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
26261 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26262 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26263 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
26264 (gdb)
26265 -break-list
26266 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26267 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26268 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26269 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26270 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26271 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26272 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26273 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26274 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26275 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26276 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
26277 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
26278 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
26279 (gdb)
26280 -exec-continue
26281 ^running
26282 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
26283 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
26284 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26285 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26286 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26287 (gdb)
26288 -break-list
26289 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26290 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26291 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26292 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26293 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26294 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26295 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26296 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26297 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26298 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26299 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
26300 times="1"@}]@}
26301 (gdb)
26302 @end smallexample
26303
26304 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26305 @node GDB/MI Program Context
26306 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
26307
26308 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
26309 @findex -exec-arguments
26310
26311
26312 @subsubheading Synopsis
26313
26314 @smallexample
26315 -exec-arguments @var{args}
26316 @end smallexample
26317
26318 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
26319 @samp{-exec-run}.
26320
26321 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26322
26323 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
26324
26325 @subsubheading Example
26326
26327 @smallexample
26328 (gdb)
26329 -exec-arguments -v word
26330 ^done
26331 (gdb)
26332 @end smallexample
26333
26334
26335 @ignore
26336 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
26337 @findex -exec-show-arguments
26338
26339 @subsubheading Synopsis
26340
26341 @smallexample
26342 -exec-show-arguments
26343 @end smallexample
26344
26345 Print the arguments of the program.
26346
26347 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26348
26349 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
26350
26351 @subsubheading Example
26352 N.A.
26353 @end ignore
26354
26355
26356 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
26357 @findex -environment-cd
26358
26359 @subsubheading Synopsis
26360
26361 @smallexample
26362 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
26363 @end smallexample
26364
26365 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
26366
26367 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26368
26369 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
26370
26371 @subsubheading Example
26372
26373 @smallexample
26374 (gdb)
26375 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
26376 ^done
26377 (gdb)
26378 @end smallexample
26379
26380
26381 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
26382 @findex -environment-directory
26383
26384 @subsubheading Synopsis
26385
26386 @smallexample
26387 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
26388 @end smallexample
26389
26390 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
26391 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
26392 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
26393 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
26394 occurs as normal.
26395 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
26396 multiple directories in a single command
26397 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
26398 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
26399 If blanks are needed as
26400 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
26401 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
26402 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
26403 character must not be used
26404 in any directory name.
26405 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
26406
26407 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26408
26409 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
26410
26411 @subsubheading Example
26412
26413 @smallexample
26414 (gdb)
26415 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
26416 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
26417 (gdb)
26418 -environment-directory ""
26419 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
26420 (gdb)
26421 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
26422 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
26423 (gdb)
26424 -environment-directory -r
26425 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
26426 (gdb)
26427 @end smallexample
26428
26429
26430 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
26431 @findex -environment-path
26432
26433 @subsubheading Synopsis
26434
26435 @smallexample
26436 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
26437 @end smallexample
26438
26439 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
26440 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
26441 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
26442 supplied in addition to the
26443 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
26444 occurs as normal.
26445 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
26446 multiple directories in a single command
26447 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
26448 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
26449 If blanks are needed as
26450 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
26451 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
26452 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
26453 character must not be used
26454 in any directory name.
26455 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
26456
26457
26458 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26459
26460 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
26461
26462 @subsubheading Example
26463
26464 @smallexample
26465 (gdb)
26466 -environment-path
26467 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
26468 (gdb)
26469 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
26470 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
26471 (gdb)
26472 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
26473 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
26474 (gdb)
26475 @end smallexample
26476
26477
26478 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
26479 @findex -environment-pwd
26480
26481 @subsubheading Synopsis
26482
26483 @smallexample
26484 -environment-pwd
26485 @end smallexample
26486
26487 Show the current working directory.
26488
26489 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26490
26491 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
26492
26493 @subsubheading Example
26494
26495 @smallexample
26496 (gdb)
26497 -environment-pwd
26498 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
26499 (gdb)
26500 @end smallexample
26501
26502 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26503 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
26504 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
26505
26506
26507 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
26508 @findex -thread-info
26509
26510 @subsubheading Synopsis
26511
26512 @smallexample
26513 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
26514 @end smallexample
26515
26516 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
26517 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
26518 threads. When printing information about all threads,
26519 also reports the current thread.
26520
26521 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26522
26523 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
26524 about all threads.
26525
26526 @subsubheading Result
26527
26528 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
26529 defined for a given thread:
26530
26531 @table @samp
26532 @item current
26533 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
26534
26535 @item id
26536 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
26537
26538 @item target-id
26539 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
26540
26541 @item details
26542 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
26543 field is optional.
26544
26545 @item name
26546 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
26547 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
26548 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
26549 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
26550 field is omitted.
26551
26552 @item frame
26553 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
26554
26555 @item state
26556 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
26557 values:
26558
26559 @table @code
26560 @item stopped
26561 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
26562 threads.
26563
26564 @item running
26565 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
26566 threads.
26567
26568 @end table
26569
26570 @item core
26571 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
26572 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
26573
26574 @end table
26575
26576 @subsubheading Example
26577
26578 @smallexample
26579 -thread-info
26580 ^done,threads=[
26581 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
26582 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
26583 args=[]@},state="running"@},
26584 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
26585 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
26586 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
26587 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
26588 state="running"@}],
26589 current-thread-id="1"
26590 (gdb)
26591 @end smallexample
26592
26593 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
26594 @findex -thread-list-ids
26595
26596 @subsubheading Synopsis
26597
26598 @smallexample
26599 -thread-list-ids
26600 @end smallexample
26601
26602 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
26603 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
26604
26605 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
26606 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
26607
26608 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26609
26610 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
26611
26612 @subsubheading Example
26613
26614 @smallexample
26615 (gdb)
26616 -thread-list-ids
26617 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
26618 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
26619 (gdb)
26620 @end smallexample
26621
26622
26623 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
26624 @findex -thread-select
26625
26626 @subsubheading Synopsis
26627
26628 @smallexample
26629 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
26630 @end smallexample
26631
26632 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
26633 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
26634
26635 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
26636 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
26637
26638 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26639
26640 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
26641
26642 @subsubheading Example
26643
26644 @smallexample
26645 (gdb)
26646 -exec-next
26647 ^running
26648 (gdb)
26649 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
26650 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
26651 (gdb)
26652 -thread-list-ids
26653 ^done,
26654 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
26655 number-of-threads="3"
26656 (gdb)
26657 -thread-select 3
26658 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
26659 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
26660 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
26661 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
26662 (gdb)
26663 @end smallexample
26664
26665 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26666 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
26667 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
26668
26669 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
26670 @findex -ada-task-info
26671
26672 @subsubheading Synopsis
26673
26674 @smallexample
26675 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
26676 @end smallexample
26677
26678 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
26679 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
26680
26681 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26682
26683 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
26684 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
26685
26686 @subsubheading Result
26687
26688 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
26689 defined for each Ada task:
26690
26691 @table @samp
26692 @item current
26693 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
26694
26695 @item id
26696 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
26697
26698 @item task-id
26699 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
26700
26701 @item thread-id
26702 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
26703
26704 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
26705 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
26706 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
26707
26708 @item parent-id
26709 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
26710 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
26711
26712 @item priority
26713 The base priority of the task.
26714
26715 @item state
26716 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
26717 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
26718
26719 @item name
26720 The name of the task.
26721
26722 @end table
26723
26724 @subsubheading Example
26725
26726 @smallexample
26727 -ada-task-info
26728 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
26729 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
26730 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
26731 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
26732 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
26733 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
26734 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
26735 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
26736 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
26737 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
26738 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
26739 (gdb)
26740 @end smallexample
26741
26742 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26743 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
26744 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
26745
26746 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
26747 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
26748 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
26749 other cases.
26750
26751 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
26752 @findex -exec-continue
26753
26754 @subsubheading Synopsis
26755
26756 @smallexample
26757 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
26758 @end smallexample
26759
26760 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
26761 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
26762 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
26763 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
26764 @itemize @bullet
26765 @item
26766 breakpoints or watchpoints
26767 @item
26768 signals or exceptions
26769 @item
26770 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
26771 @item
26772 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
26773 @end itemize
26774 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
26775 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
26776 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
26777 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
26778 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
26779 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
26780
26781 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26782
26783 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
26784
26785 @subsubheading Example
26786
26787 @smallexample
26788 -exec-continue
26789 ^running
26790 (gdb)
26791 @@Hello world
26792 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
26793 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
26794 line="13"@}
26795 (gdb)
26796 @end smallexample
26797
26798
26799 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
26800 @findex -exec-finish
26801
26802 @subsubheading Synopsis
26803
26804 @smallexample
26805 -exec-finish [--reverse]
26806 @end smallexample
26807
26808 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
26809 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
26810 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
26811 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
26812 function was called.
26813
26814 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26815
26816 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
26817
26818 @subsubheading Example
26819
26820 Function returning @code{void}.
26821
26822 @smallexample
26823 -exec-finish
26824 ^running
26825 (gdb)
26826 @@hello from foo
26827 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
26828 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
26829 (gdb)
26830 @end smallexample
26831
26832 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
26833 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
26834 value itself.
26835
26836 @smallexample
26837 -exec-finish
26838 ^running
26839 (gdb)
26840 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
26841 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
26842 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26843 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
26844 (gdb)
26845 @end smallexample
26846
26847
26848 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
26849 @findex -exec-interrupt
26850
26851 @subsubheading Synopsis
26852
26853 @smallexample
26854 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
26855 @end smallexample
26856
26857 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
26858 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
26859 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
26860 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
26861 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
26862
26863 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
26864 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
26865 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
26866 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
26867
26868 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
26869 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
26870 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
26871 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
26872
26873 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26874
26875 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
26876
26877 @subsubheading Example
26878
26879 @smallexample
26880 (gdb)
26881 111-exec-continue
26882 111^running
26883
26884 (gdb)
26885 222-exec-interrupt
26886 222^done
26887 (gdb)
26888 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
26889 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26890 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
26891 (gdb)
26892
26893 (gdb)
26894 -exec-interrupt
26895 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
26896 (gdb)
26897 @end smallexample
26898
26899 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
26900 @findex -exec-jump
26901
26902 @subsubheading Synopsis
26903
26904 @smallexample
26905 -exec-jump @var{location}
26906 @end smallexample
26907
26908 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
26909 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
26910 different forms of @var{location}.
26911
26912 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26913
26914 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
26915
26916 @subsubheading Example
26917
26918 @smallexample
26919 -exec-jump foo.c:10
26920 *running,thread-id="all"
26921 ^running
26922 @end smallexample
26923
26924
26925 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
26926 @findex -exec-next
26927
26928 @subsubheading Synopsis
26929
26930 @smallexample
26931 -exec-next [--reverse]
26932 @end smallexample
26933
26934 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
26935 of the next source line is reached.
26936
26937 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
26938 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
26939 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
26940 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
26941 source line where the function was called.
26942
26943
26944 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26945
26946 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
26947
26948 @subsubheading Example
26949
26950 @smallexample
26951 -exec-next
26952 ^running
26953 (gdb)
26954 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
26955 (gdb)
26956 @end smallexample
26957
26958
26959 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
26960 @findex -exec-next-instruction
26961
26962 @subsubheading Synopsis
26963
26964 @smallexample
26965 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
26966 @end smallexample
26967
26968 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
26969 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
26970 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
26971 printed as well.
26972
26973 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
26974 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
26975 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
26976 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
26977 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
26978
26979 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26980
26981 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
26982
26983 @subsubheading Example
26984
26985 @smallexample
26986 (gdb)
26987 -exec-next-instruction
26988 ^running
26989
26990 (gdb)
26991 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26992 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
26993 (gdb)
26994 @end smallexample
26995
26996
26997 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
26998 @findex -exec-return
26999
27000 @subsubheading Synopsis
27001
27002 @smallexample
27003 -exec-return
27004 @end smallexample
27005
27006 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
27007 Displays the new current frame.
27008
27009 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27010
27011 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
27012
27013 @subsubheading Example
27014
27015 @smallexample
27016 (gdb)
27017 200-break-insert callee4
27018 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
27019 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
27020 (gdb)
27021 000-exec-run
27022 000^running
27023 (gdb)
27024 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
27025 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
27026 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27027 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
27028 (gdb)
27029 205-break-delete
27030 205^done
27031 (gdb)
27032 111-exec-return
27033 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
27034 args=[@{name="strarg",
27035 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
27036 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27037 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
27038 (gdb)
27039 @end smallexample
27040
27041
27042 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
27043 @findex -exec-run
27044
27045 @subsubheading Synopsis
27046
27047 @smallexample
27048 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
27049 @end smallexample
27050
27051 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
27052 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
27053 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
27054 the program has exited exceptionally.
27055
27056 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
27057 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
27058 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
27059 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
27060
27061 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27062
27063 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
27064
27065 @subsubheading Examples
27066
27067 @smallexample
27068 (gdb)
27069 -break-insert main
27070 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
27071 (gdb)
27072 -exec-run
27073 ^running
27074 (gdb)
27075 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
27076 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
27077 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
27078 (gdb)
27079 @end smallexample
27080
27081 @noindent
27082 Program exited normally:
27083
27084 @smallexample
27085 (gdb)
27086 -exec-run
27087 ^running
27088 (gdb)
27089 x = 55
27090 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
27091 (gdb)
27092 @end smallexample
27093
27094 @noindent
27095 Program exited exceptionally:
27096
27097 @smallexample
27098 (gdb)
27099 -exec-run
27100 ^running
27101 (gdb)
27102 x = 55
27103 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
27104 (gdb)
27105 @end smallexample
27106
27107 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
27108 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
27109
27110 @smallexample
27111 (gdb)
27112 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
27113 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
27114 @end smallexample
27115
27116
27117 @c @subheading -exec-signal
27118
27119
27120 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
27121 @findex -exec-step
27122
27123 @subsubheading Synopsis
27124
27125 @smallexample
27126 -exec-step [--reverse]
27127 @end smallexample
27128
27129 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
27130 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
27131 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
27132 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
27133 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
27134 previously executed source line.
27135
27136 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27137
27138 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
27139
27140 @subsubheading Example
27141
27142 Stepping into a function:
27143
27144 @smallexample
27145 -exec-step
27146 ^running
27147 (gdb)
27148 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27149 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
27150 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
27151 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
27152 (gdb)
27153 @end smallexample
27154
27155 Regular stepping:
27156
27157 @smallexample
27158 -exec-step
27159 ^running
27160 (gdb)
27161 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
27162 (gdb)
27163 @end smallexample
27164
27165
27166 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
27167 @findex -exec-step-instruction
27168
27169 @subsubheading Synopsis
27170
27171 @smallexample
27172 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
27173 @end smallexample
27174
27175 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
27176 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
27177 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
27178 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
27179 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
27180 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
27181 as well.
27182
27183 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27184
27185 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
27186
27187 @subsubheading Example
27188
27189 @smallexample
27190 (gdb)
27191 -exec-step-instruction
27192 ^running
27193
27194 (gdb)
27195 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27196 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
27197 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
27198 (gdb)
27199 -exec-step-instruction
27200 ^running
27201
27202 (gdb)
27203 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27204 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
27205 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
27206 (gdb)
27207 @end smallexample
27208
27209
27210 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
27211 @findex -exec-until
27212
27213 @subsubheading Synopsis
27214
27215 @smallexample
27216 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
27217 @end smallexample
27218
27219 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
27220 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
27221 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
27222 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
27223
27224 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27225
27226 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
27227
27228 @subsubheading Example
27229
27230 @smallexample
27231 (gdb)
27232 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
27233 ^running
27234 (gdb)
27235 x = 55
27236 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
27237 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
27238 (gdb)
27239 @end smallexample
27240
27241 @ignore
27242 @subheading -file-clear
27243 Is this going away????
27244 @end ignore
27245
27246 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27247 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
27248 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
27249
27250
27251 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
27252 @findex -stack-info-frame
27253
27254 @subsubheading Synopsis
27255
27256 @smallexample
27257 -stack-info-frame
27258 @end smallexample
27259
27260 Get info on the selected frame.
27261
27262 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27263
27264 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
27265 (without arguments).
27266
27267 @subsubheading Example
27268
27269 @smallexample
27270 (gdb)
27271 -stack-info-frame
27272 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
27273 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27274 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
27275 (gdb)
27276 @end smallexample
27277
27278 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
27279 @findex -stack-info-depth
27280
27281 @subsubheading Synopsis
27282
27283 @smallexample
27284 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
27285 @end smallexample
27286
27287 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
27288 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
27289
27290 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27291
27292 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
27293
27294 @subsubheading Example
27295
27296 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
27297
27298 @smallexample
27299 (gdb)
27300 -stack-info-depth
27301 ^done,depth="12"
27302 (gdb)
27303 -stack-info-depth 4
27304 ^done,depth="4"
27305 (gdb)
27306 -stack-info-depth 12
27307 ^done,depth="12"
27308 (gdb)
27309 -stack-info-depth 11
27310 ^done,depth="11"
27311 (gdb)
27312 -stack-info-depth 13
27313 ^done,depth="12"
27314 (gdb)
27315 @end smallexample
27316
27317 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
27318 @findex -stack-list-arguments
27319
27320 @subsubheading Synopsis
27321
27322 @smallexample
27323 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
27324 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
27325 @end smallexample
27326
27327 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
27328 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
27329 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
27330 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
27331 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
27332 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
27333 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
27334 which case only existing frames will be returned.
27335
27336 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
27337 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
27338 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
27339 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
27340 structures and unions.
27341
27342 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
27343 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
27344
27345 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27346
27347 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
27348 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
27349 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
27350
27351 @subsubheading Example
27352
27353 @smallexample
27354 (gdb)
27355 -stack-list-frames
27356 ^done,
27357 stack=[
27358 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
27359 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27360 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
27361 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
27362 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27363 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
27364 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
27365 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27366 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
27367 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
27368 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27369 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
27370 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
27371 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27372 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
27373 (gdb)
27374 -stack-list-arguments 0
27375 ^done,
27376 stack-args=[
27377 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
27378 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
27379 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
27380 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
27381 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
27382 (gdb)
27383 -stack-list-arguments 1
27384 ^done,
27385 stack-args=[
27386 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
27387 frame=@{level="1",
27388 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
27389 frame=@{level="2",args=[
27390 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27391 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
27392 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
27393 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27394 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
27395 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
27396 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
27397 (gdb)
27398 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
27399 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
27400 (gdb)
27401 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
27402 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
27403 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27404 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
27405 (gdb)
27406 @end smallexample
27407
27408 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
27409
27410
27411 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
27412 @findex -stack-list-frames
27413
27414 @subsubheading Synopsis
27415
27416 @smallexample
27417 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
27418 @end smallexample
27419
27420 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
27421 following info:
27422
27423 @table @samp
27424 @item @var{level}
27425 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
27426 @item @var{addr}
27427 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
27428 @item @var{func}
27429 Function name.
27430 @item @var{file}
27431 File name of the source file where the function lives.
27432 @item @var{fullname}
27433 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
27434 @item @var{line}
27435 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
27436 @item @var{from}
27437 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
27438 if the frame's function is not known.
27439 @end table
27440
27441 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
27442 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
27443 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
27444 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
27445 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
27446 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
27447 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
27448
27449 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27450
27451 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
27452
27453 @subsubheading Example
27454
27455 Full stack backtrace:
27456
27457 @smallexample
27458 (gdb)
27459 -stack-list-frames
27460 ^done,stack=
27461 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
27462 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
27463 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27464 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27465 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27466 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27467 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27468 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27469 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27470 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27471 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27472 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27473 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27474 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27475 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27476 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27477 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27478 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27479 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27480 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27481 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27482 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27483 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
27484 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
27485 (gdb)
27486 @end smallexample
27487
27488 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
27489
27490 @smallexample
27491 (gdb)
27492 -stack-list-frames 3 5
27493 ^done,stack=
27494 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27495 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27496 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27497 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27498 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27499 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
27500 (gdb)
27501 @end smallexample
27502
27503 Show a single frame:
27504
27505 @smallexample
27506 (gdb)
27507 -stack-list-frames 3 3
27508 ^done,stack=
27509 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27510 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
27511 (gdb)
27512 @end smallexample
27513
27514
27515 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
27516 @findex -stack-list-locals
27517
27518 @subsubheading Synopsis
27519
27520 @smallexample
27521 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
27522 @end smallexample
27523
27524 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
27525 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
27526 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
27527 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
27528 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
27529 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
27530 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
27531 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
27532 more detail.
27533
27534 This command is deprecated in favor of the
27535 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
27536
27537 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27538
27539 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
27540
27541 @subsubheading Example
27542
27543 @smallexample
27544 (gdb)
27545 -stack-list-locals 0
27546 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
27547 (gdb)
27548 -stack-list-locals --all-values
27549 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
27550 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
27551 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
27552 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
27553 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
27554 (gdb)
27555 @end smallexample
27556
27557 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
27558 @findex -stack-list-variables
27559
27560 @subsubheading Synopsis
27561
27562 @smallexample
27563 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
27564 @end smallexample
27565
27566 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
27567 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
27568 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
27569 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
27570 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
27571 structures and unions.
27572
27573 @subsubheading Example
27574
27575 @smallexample
27576 (gdb)
27577 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
27578 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
27579 (gdb)
27580 @end smallexample
27581
27582
27583 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
27584 @findex -stack-select-frame
27585
27586 @subsubheading Synopsis
27587
27588 @smallexample
27589 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
27590 @end smallexample
27591
27592 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
27593 the stack.
27594
27595 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
27596 option to every command.
27597
27598 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27599
27600 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
27601 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
27602
27603 @subsubheading Example
27604
27605 @smallexample
27606 (gdb)
27607 -stack-select-frame 2
27608 ^done
27609 (gdb)
27610 @end smallexample
27611
27612 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27613 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
27614 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
27615
27616 @ignore
27617
27618 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
27619
27620 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
27621 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
27622 used by @code{Insight}.
27623
27624 The two main reasons for that are:
27625
27626 @enumerate 1
27627 @item
27628 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
27629
27630 @item
27631 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
27632 now).
27633 @end enumerate
27634
27635 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
27636 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
27637 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
27638 hints about their use.
27639
27640 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
27641 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
27642 least, the following operations:
27643
27644 @itemize @bullet
27645 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
27646 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
27647 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
27648 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
27649 @end itemize
27650
27651 @end ignore
27652
27653 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
27654
27655 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
27656
27657 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
27658 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
27659 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
27660 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
27661 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
27662 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
27663 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
27664 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
27665 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
27666 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
27667 object, or to change display format.
27668
27669 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
27670 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
27671 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
27672 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
27673 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
27674 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
27675 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
27676 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
27677 child will be created.
27678
27679 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
27680 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
27681 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
27682 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
27683 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
27684
27685 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
27686 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
27687 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
27688 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
27689 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
27690 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
27691 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
27692 variables that frontend has created.
27693
27694 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
27695 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
27696 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
27697 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
27698 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
27699 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
27700 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
27701 implicitly updated.
27702
27703 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
27704 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
27705 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
27706 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
27707 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
27708 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
27709 frame. Consider this example:
27710
27711 @smallexample
27712 void do_work(...)
27713 @{
27714 struct work_state state;
27715
27716 if (...)
27717 do_work(...);
27718 @}
27719 @end smallexample
27720
27721 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
27722 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
27723 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
27724 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
27725 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
27726
27727 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
27728 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
27729 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
27730 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
27731 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
27732 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
27733
27734 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
27735 access this functionality:
27736
27737 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
27738 @item @strong{Operation}
27739 @tab @strong{Description}
27740
27741 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
27742 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
27743 @item @code{-var-create}
27744 @tab create a variable object
27745 @item @code{-var-delete}
27746 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
27747 @item @code{-var-set-format}
27748 @tab set the display format of this variable
27749 @item @code{-var-show-format}
27750 @tab show the display format of this variable
27751 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
27752 @tab tells how many children this object has
27753 @item @code{-var-list-children}
27754 @tab return a list of the object's children
27755 @item @code{-var-info-type}
27756 @tab show the type of this variable object
27757 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
27758 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
27759 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
27760 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
27761 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
27762 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
27763 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
27764 @tab get the value of this variable
27765 @item @code{-var-assign}
27766 @tab set the value of this variable
27767 @item @code{-var-update}
27768 @tab update the variable and its children
27769 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
27770 @tab set frozeness attribute
27771 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
27772 @tab set range of children to display on update
27773 @end multitable
27774
27775 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
27776 how it can be used.
27777
27778 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
27779
27780 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
27781 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
27782
27783 @smallexample
27784 -enable-pretty-printing
27785 @end smallexample
27786
27787 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
27788 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
27789 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
27790 request that this functionality be enabled.
27791
27792 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
27793
27794 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
27795 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
27796
27797 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
27798 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
27799
27800 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
27801 @findex -var-create
27802
27803 @subsubheading Synopsis
27804
27805 @smallexample
27806 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
27807 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
27808 @end smallexample
27809
27810 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
27811 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
27812 register.
27813
27814 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
27815 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
27816 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
27817 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
27818 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
27819
27820 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
27821 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
27822 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
27823 object must be created.
27824
27825 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
27826 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
27827
27828 @itemize @bullet
27829 @item
27830 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
27831
27832 @item
27833 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
27834
27835 @item
27836 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
27837 @end itemize
27838
27839 @cindex dynamic varobj
27840 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
27841 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
27842 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
27843 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
27844 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
27845 compatibility for existing clients.
27846
27847 @subsubheading Result
27848
27849 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
27850 are:
27851
27852 @table @samp
27853 @item name
27854 The name of the varobj.
27855
27856 @item numchild
27857 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
27858 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
27859 @samp{has_more} attribute.
27860
27861 @item value
27862 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
27863 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
27864 will not be interesting.
27865
27866 @item type
27867 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
27868 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
27869
27870 @item thread-id
27871 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
27872 thread's identifier.
27873
27874 @item has_more
27875 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
27876 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
27877
27878 @item dynamic
27879 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
27880 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
27881 then this attribute will not be present.
27882
27883 @item displayhint
27884 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
27885 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
27886 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
27887 @end table
27888
27889 Typical output will look like this:
27890
27891 @smallexample
27892 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
27893 has_more="@var{has_more}"
27894 @end smallexample
27895
27896
27897 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
27898 @findex -var-delete
27899
27900 @subsubheading Synopsis
27901
27902 @smallexample
27903 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
27904 @end smallexample
27905
27906 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
27907 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
27908
27909 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
27910
27911
27912 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
27913 @findex -var-set-format
27914
27915 @subsubheading Synopsis
27916
27917 @smallexample
27918 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
27919 @end smallexample
27920
27921 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
27922 @var{format-spec}.
27923
27924 @anchor{-var-set-format}
27925 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
27926
27927 @smallexample
27928 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
27929 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
27930 @end smallexample
27931
27932 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
27933 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
27934 for pointers, etc.).
27935
27936 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
27937 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
27938
27939 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
27940 @findex -var-show-format
27941
27942 @subsubheading Synopsis
27943
27944 @smallexample
27945 -var-show-format @var{name}
27946 @end smallexample
27947
27948 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
27949
27950 @smallexample
27951 @var{format} @expansion{}
27952 @var{format-spec}
27953 @end smallexample
27954
27955
27956 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
27957 @findex -var-info-num-children
27958
27959 @subsubheading Synopsis
27960
27961 @smallexample
27962 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
27963 @end smallexample
27964
27965 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
27966
27967 @smallexample
27968 numchild=@var{n}
27969 @end smallexample
27970
27971 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
27972 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
27973 be available.
27974
27975
27976 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
27977 @findex -var-list-children
27978
27979 @subsubheading Synopsis
27980
27981 @smallexample
27982 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
27983 @end smallexample
27984 @anchor{-var-list-children}
27985
27986 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
27987 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
27988 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
27989 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
27990 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
27991 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
27992 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
27993 and unions.
27994
27995 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
27996 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
27997 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
27998 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
27999 reported.
28000
28001 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
28002 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
28003 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
28004 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
28005 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
28006 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
28007 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
28008 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
28009 the visible items.
28010
28011 For each child the following results are returned:
28012
28013 @table @var
28014
28015 @item name
28016 Name of the variable object created for this child.
28017
28018 @item exp
28019 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
28020 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
28021
28022 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
28023 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
28024
28025 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
28026 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
28027 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
28028 type and value are not present.
28029
28030 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
28031 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
28032 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
28033
28034 @item numchild
28035 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
28036 0.
28037
28038 @item type
28039 The type of the child.
28040
28041 @item value
28042 If values were requested, this is the value.
28043
28044 @item thread-id
28045 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
28046 Otherwise this result is not present.
28047
28048 @item frozen
28049 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
28050 @end table
28051
28052 The result may have its own attributes:
28053
28054 @table @samp
28055 @item displayhint
28056 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
28057 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
28058 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
28059
28060 @item has_more
28061 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
28062 remaining after the end of the selected range.
28063 @end table
28064
28065 @subsubheading Example
28066
28067 @smallexample
28068 (gdb)
28069 -var-list-children n
28070 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
28071 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
28072 (gdb)
28073 -var-list-children --all-values n
28074 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
28075 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
28076 @end smallexample
28077
28078
28079 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
28080 @findex -var-info-type
28081
28082 @subsubheading Synopsis
28083
28084 @smallexample
28085 -var-info-type @var{name}
28086 @end smallexample
28087
28088 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
28089 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
28090 @value{GDBN} CLI:
28091
28092 @smallexample
28093 type=@var{typename}
28094 @end smallexample
28095
28096
28097 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
28098 @findex -var-info-expression
28099
28100 @subsubheading Synopsis
28101
28102 @smallexample
28103 -var-info-expression @var{name}
28104 @end smallexample
28105
28106 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
28107 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
28108 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
28109
28110 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
28111 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
28112
28113 @smallexample
28114 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
28115 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
28116 @end smallexample
28117
28118 @noindent
28119 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
28120
28121 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
28122 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
28123 is of limited use.
28124
28125 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
28126 @findex -var-info-path-expression
28127
28128 @subsubheading Synopsis
28129
28130 @smallexample
28131 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
28132 @end smallexample
28133
28134 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
28135 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
28136 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
28137 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
28138 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
28139 watchpoint from a variable object.
28140
28141 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
28142 and will give an error when invoked on one.
28143
28144 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
28145 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
28146 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
28147 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
28148 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
28149 @smallexample
28150 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
28151 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
28152 @end smallexample
28153
28154 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
28155 @findex -var-show-attributes
28156
28157 @subsubheading Synopsis
28158
28159 @smallexample
28160 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
28161 @end smallexample
28162
28163 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
28164
28165 @smallexample
28166 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
28167 @end smallexample
28168
28169 @noindent
28170 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
28171
28172 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
28173 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
28174
28175 @subsubheading Synopsis
28176
28177 @smallexample
28178 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
28179 @end smallexample
28180
28181 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
28182 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
28183 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
28184 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
28185 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
28186 the current display format will be used. The current display format
28187 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
28188
28189 @smallexample
28190 value=@var{value}
28191 @end smallexample
28192
28193 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
28194 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
28195
28196 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
28197 @findex -var-assign
28198
28199 @subsubheading Synopsis
28200
28201 @smallexample
28202 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
28203 @end smallexample
28204
28205 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
28206 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
28207 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
28208 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
28209
28210 @subsubheading Example
28211
28212 @smallexample
28213 (gdb)
28214 -var-assign var1 3
28215 ^done,value="3"
28216 (gdb)
28217 -var-update *
28218 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
28219 (gdb)
28220 @end smallexample
28221
28222 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
28223 @findex -var-update
28224
28225 @subsubheading Synopsis
28226
28227 @smallexample
28228 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
28229 @end smallexample
28230
28231 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
28232 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
28233 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
28234 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
28235 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
28236 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
28237 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
28238 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
28239 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
28240 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
28241 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
28242 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
28243 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
28244
28245 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
28246 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
28247 diagnostic.
28248
28249 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
28250 only the selected range of children will be reported.
28251
28252 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
28253 @samp{changelist}.
28254
28255 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
28256
28257 @table @samp
28258 @item name
28259 The name of the varobj.
28260
28261 @item value
28262 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
28263 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
28264
28265 @item in_scope
28266 @anchor{-var-update}
28267 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
28268
28269 @table @code
28270 @item "true"
28271 The variable object's current value is valid.
28272
28273 @item "false"
28274 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
28275 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
28276 scope.
28277
28278 @item "invalid"
28279 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
28280 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
28281 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
28282 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
28283 objects.
28284 @end table
28285
28286 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
28287 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
28288
28289 @item type_changed
28290 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
28291 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
28292 be @samp{false}.
28293
28294 @item new_type
28295 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
28296 hold the new type.
28297
28298 @item new_num_children
28299 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
28300 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
28301
28302 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
28303 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
28304 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
28305 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
28306 children which may be available.
28307
28308 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
28309 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
28310 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
28311 only happen at the end of the update range).
28312
28313 @item displayhint
28314 The display hint, if any.
28315
28316 @item has_more
28317 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
28318 available outside the varobj's update range.
28319
28320 @item dynamic
28321 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
28322 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
28323 then this attribute will not be present.
28324
28325 @item new_children
28326 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
28327 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
28328 be listed in this attribute.
28329 @end table
28330
28331 @subsubheading Example
28332
28333 @smallexample
28334 (gdb)
28335 -var-assign var1 3
28336 ^done,value="3"
28337 (gdb)
28338 -var-update --all-values var1
28339 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
28340 type_changed="false"@}]
28341 (gdb)
28342 @end smallexample
28343
28344 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
28345 @findex -var-set-frozen
28346 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
28347
28348 @subsubheading Synopsis
28349
28350 @smallexample
28351 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
28352 @end smallexample
28353
28354 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
28355 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
28356 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
28357 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
28358 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
28359 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
28360 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
28361 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
28362 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
28363 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
28364 @code{-var-update} does.
28365
28366 @subsubheading Example
28367
28368 @smallexample
28369 (gdb)
28370 -var-set-frozen V 1
28371 ^done
28372 (gdb)
28373 @end smallexample
28374
28375 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
28376 @findex -var-set-update-range
28377 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
28378
28379 @subsubheading Synopsis
28380
28381 @smallexample
28382 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
28383 @end smallexample
28384
28385 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
28386 @code{-var-update}.
28387
28388 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
28389 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
28390 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
28391 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
28392
28393 @subsubheading Example
28394
28395 @smallexample
28396 (gdb)
28397 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
28398 ^done
28399 @end smallexample
28400
28401 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
28402 @findex -var-set-visualizer
28403 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
28404
28405 @subsubheading Synopsis
28406
28407 @smallexample
28408 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
28409 @end smallexample
28410
28411 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
28412
28413 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
28414 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
28415
28416 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
28417 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
28418 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
28419 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
28420 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
28421 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
28422 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
28423
28424 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
28425 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
28426 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
28427 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
28428
28429 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
28430 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
28431 can be used to check this.
28432
28433 @subsubheading Example
28434
28435 Resetting the visualizer:
28436
28437 @smallexample
28438 (gdb)
28439 -var-set-visualizer V None
28440 ^done
28441 @end smallexample
28442
28443 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
28444
28445 @smallexample
28446 (gdb)
28447 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
28448 ^done
28449 @end smallexample
28450
28451 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
28452 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
28453
28454 @smallexample
28455 (gdb)
28456 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
28457 ^done
28458 @end smallexample
28459
28460 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28461 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
28462 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
28463
28464 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
28465 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
28466 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
28467 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
28468
28469 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
28470 @c @subheading -data-assign
28471 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
28472 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
28473 @c set variable
28474 @c @subsubheading Example
28475 @c N.A.
28476
28477 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
28478 @findex -data-disassemble
28479
28480 @subsubheading Synopsis
28481
28482 @smallexample
28483 -data-disassemble
28484 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
28485 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
28486 -- @var{mode}
28487 @end smallexample
28488
28489 @noindent
28490 Where:
28491
28492 @table @samp
28493 @item @var{start-addr}
28494 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
28495 @item @var{end-addr}
28496 is the end address
28497 @item @var{filename}
28498 is the name of the file to disassemble
28499 @item @var{linenum}
28500 is the line number to disassemble around
28501 @item @var{lines}
28502 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
28503 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
28504 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
28505 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
28506 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
28507 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
28508 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
28509 are displayed.
28510 @item @var{mode}
28511 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
28512 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
28513 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
28514 @end table
28515
28516 @subsubheading Result
28517
28518 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
28519
28520 @itemize @bullet
28521 @item Address
28522 @item Func-name
28523 @item Offset
28524 @item Instruction
28525 @end itemize
28526
28527 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
28528 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
28529
28530 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28531
28532 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
28533
28534 @subsubheading Example
28535
28536 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
28537
28538 @smallexample
28539 (gdb)
28540 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
28541 ^done,
28542 asm_insns=[
28543 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28544 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28545 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28546 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28547 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
28548 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
28549 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
28550 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28551 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
28552 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
28553 (gdb)
28554 @end smallexample
28555
28556 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
28557 @code{main}.
28558
28559 @smallexample
28560 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
28561 ^done,asm_insns=[
28562 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
28563 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
28564 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28565 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28566 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28567 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28568 [@dots{}]
28569 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
28570 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
28571 (gdb)
28572 @end smallexample
28573
28574 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
28575
28576 @smallexample
28577 (gdb)
28578 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
28579 ^done,asm_insns=[
28580 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
28581 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
28582 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28583 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28584 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28585 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
28586 (gdb)
28587 @end smallexample
28588
28589 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
28590
28591 @smallexample
28592 (gdb)
28593 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
28594 ^done,asm_insns=[
28595 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
28596 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
28597 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
28598 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
28599 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
28600 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
28601 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
28602 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
28603 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28604 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28605 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28606 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
28607 (gdb)
28608 @end smallexample
28609
28610
28611 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
28612 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
28613
28614 @subsubheading Synopsis
28615
28616 @smallexample
28617 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
28618 @end smallexample
28619
28620 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
28621 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
28622 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
28623
28624 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28625
28626 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
28627 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
28628 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
28629
28630 @subsubheading Example
28631
28632 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
28633 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
28634 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
28635 output.
28636
28637 @smallexample
28638 211-data-evaluate-expression A
28639 211^done,value="1"
28640 (gdb)
28641 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
28642 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
28643 (gdb)
28644 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
28645 411^done,value="4"
28646 (gdb)
28647 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
28648 511^done,value="4"
28649 (gdb)
28650 @end smallexample
28651
28652
28653 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
28654 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
28655
28656 @subsubheading Synopsis
28657
28658 @smallexample
28659 -data-list-changed-registers
28660 @end smallexample
28661
28662 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
28663
28664 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28665
28666 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
28667 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
28668
28669 @subsubheading Example
28670
28671 On a PPC MBX board:
28672
28673 @smallexample
28674 (gdb)
28675 -exec-continue
28676 ^running
28677
28678 (gdb)
28679 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
28680 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
28681 line="5"@}
28682 (gdb)
28683 -data-list-changed-registers
28684 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
28685 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
28686 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
28687 (gdb)
28688 @end smallexample
28689
28690
28691 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
28692 @findex -data-list-register-names
28693
28694 @subsubheading Synopsis
28695
28696 @smallexample
28697 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
28698 @end smallexample
28699
28700 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
28701 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
28702 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
28703 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
28704 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
28705 include empty register names.
28706
28707 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28708
28709 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
28710 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
28711 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
28712
28713 @subsubheading Example
28714
28715 For the PPC MBX board:
28716 @smallexample
28717 (gdb)
28718 -data-list-register-names
28719 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
28720 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
28721 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
28722 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
28723 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
28724 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
28725 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
28726 (gdb)
28727 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
28728 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
28729 (gdb)
28730 @end smallexample
28731
28732 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
28733 @findex -data-list-register-values
28734
28735 @subsubheading Synopsis
28736
28737 @smallexample
28738 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
28739 @end smallexample
28740
28741 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
28742 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
28743 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
28744 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
28745
28746 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
28747
28748 @table @code
28749 @item x
28750 Hexadecimal
28751 @item o
28752 Octal
28753 @item t
28754 Binary
28755 @item d
28756 Decimal
28757 @item r
28758 Raw
28759 @item N
28760 Natural
28761 @end table
28762
28763 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28764
28765 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
28766 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
28767
28768 @subsubheading Example
28769
28770 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
28771 don't appear in the actual output):
28772
28773 @smallexample
28774 (gdb)
28775 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
28776 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
28777 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
28778 (gdb)
28779 -data-list-register-values x
28780 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
28781 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
28782 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
28783 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
28784 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
28785 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
28786 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
28787 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
28788 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
28789 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
28790 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
28791 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
28792 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
28793 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
28794 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
28795 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
28796 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
28797 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
28798 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
28799 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
28800 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
28801 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
28802 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
28803 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
28804 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
28805 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
28806 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
28807 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
28808 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
28809 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
28810 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
28811 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
28812 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
28813 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
28814 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
28815 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
28816 (gdb)
28817 @end smallexample
28818
28819
28820 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
28821 @findex -data-read-memory
28822
28823 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
28824
28825 @subsubheading Synopsis
28826
28827 @smallexample
28828 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
28829 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
28830 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
28831 @end smallexample
28832
28833 @noindent
28834 where:
28835
28836 @table @samp
28837 @item @var{address}
28838 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28839 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28840 quoted using the C convention.
28841
28842 @item @var{word-format}
28843 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
28844 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
28845 ,Output Formats}).
28846
28847 @item @var{word-size}
28848 The size of each memory word in bytes.
28849
28850 @item @var{nr-rows}
28851 The number of rows in the output table.
28852
28853 @item @var{nr-cols}
28854 The number of columns in the output table.
28855
28856 @item @var{aschar}
28857 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
28858 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
28859 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
28860 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
28861
28862 @item @var{byte-offset}
28863 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
28864 @end table
28865
28866 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
28867 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
28868 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
28869 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
28870 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
28871 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
28872 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
28873 @samp{addr}.
28874
28875 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
28876 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
28877 @samp{prev-page}.
28878
28879 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28880
28881 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
28882 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
28883
28884 @subsubheading Example
28885
28886 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
28887 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
28888 word. Display each word in hex.
28889
28890 @smallexample
28891 (gdb)
28892 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
28893 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
28894 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
28895 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
28896 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
28897 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
28898 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
28899 (gdb)
28900 @end smallexample
28901
28902 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
28903 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
28904
28905 @smallexample
28906 (gdb)
28907 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
28908 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
28909 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
28910 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
28911 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
28912 (gdb)
28913 @end smallexample
28914
28915 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
28916 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
28917 used as the non-printable character.
28918
28919 @smallexample
28920 (gdb)
28921 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
28922 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
28923 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
28924 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
28925 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28926 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28927 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28928 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28929 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
28930 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
28931 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
28932 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
28933 (gdb)
28934 @end smallexample
28935
28936 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
28937 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
28938
28939 @subsubheading Synopsis
28940
28941 @smallexample
28942 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
28943 @var{address} @var{count}
28944 @end smallexample
28945
28946 @noindent
28947 where:
28948
28949 @table @samp
28950 @item @var{address}
28951 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28952 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28953 quoted using the C convention.
28954
28955 @item @var{count}
28956 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
28957
28958 @item @var{byte-offset}
28959 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
28960 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
28961 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
28962 perform address arithmetics itself.
28963
28964 @end table
28965
28966 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
28967 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
28968 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
28969 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
28970 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
28971 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
28972
28973 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
28974 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
28975 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
28976 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
28977 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
28978 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
28979 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
28980 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
28981
28982 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
28983 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
28984 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
28985 and has the following fields:
28986
28987 @table @code
28988 @item begin
28989 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28990
28991 @item end
28992 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28993
28994 @item offset
28995 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
28996 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
28997
28998 @item contents
28999 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
29000
29001 @end table
29002
29003
29004
29005 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29006
29007 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
29008
29009 @subsubheading Example
29010
29011 @smallexample
29012 (gdb)
29013 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
29014 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
29015 end="0xbffff15e",
29016 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
29017 (gdb)
29018 @end smallexample
29019
29020
29021 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
29022 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
29023
29024 @subsubheading Synopsis
29025
29026 @smallexample
29027 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
29028 @end smallexample
29029
29030 @noindent
29031 where:
29032
29033 @table @samp
29034 @item @var{address}
29035 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
29036 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
29037 quoted using the C convention.
29038
29039 @item @var{contents}
29040 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
29041
29042 @end table
29043
29044 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29045
29046 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
29047
29048 @subsubheading Example
29049
29050 @smallexample
29051 (gdb)
29052 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
29053 ^done
29054 (gdb)
29055 @end smallexample
29056
29057
29058 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29059 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
29060 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
29061
29062 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
29063 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
29064
29065 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
29066 @findex -trace-find
29067
29068 @subsubheading Synopsis
29069
29070 @smallexample
29071 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
29072 @end smallexample
29073
29074 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
29075 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
29076 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
29077
29078 @table @samp
29079
29080 @item none
29081 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
29082
29083 @item frame-number
29084 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
29085 that index.
29086
29087 @item tracepoint-number
29088 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
29089 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
29090
29091 @item pc
29092 An address is required as parameter. Finds
29093 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
29094 address.
29095
29096 @item pc-inside-range
29097 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
29098 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
29099 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
29100
29101 @item pc-outside-range
29102 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
29103 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
29104 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
29105
29106 @item line
29107 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
29108 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
29109 the specified location.
29110
29111 @end table
29112
29113 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
29114 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
29115
29116 @table @samp
29117 @item found
29118 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
29119 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
29120
29121 @item traceframe
29122 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
29123 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
29124
29125 @item tracepoint
29126 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
29127 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
29128
29129 @item frame
29130 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
29131 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
29132 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
29133
29134 @end table
29135
29136 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29137
29138 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
29139
29140 @subheading -trace-define-variable
29141 @findex -trace-define-variable
29142
29143 @subsubheading Synopsis
29144
29145 @smallexample
29146 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
29147 @end smallexample
29148
29149 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
29150 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
29151 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
29152 with the @samp{$} character.
29153
29154 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29155
29156 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
29157
29158 @subheading -trace-list-variables
29159 @findex -trace-list-variables
29160
29161 @subsubheading Synopsis
29162
29163 @smallexample
29164 -trace-list-variables
29165 @end smallexample
29166
29167 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
29168 table has the following fields:
29169
29170 @table @samp
29171 @item name
29172 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
29173
29174 @item initial
29175 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
29176 field is always present.
29177
29178 @item current
29179 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
29180 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
29181 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
29182 presently running.
29183
29184 @end table
29185
29186 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29187
29188 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
29189
29190 @subsubheading Example
29191
29192 @smallexample
29193 (gdb)
29194 -trace-list-variables
29195 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
29196 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
29197 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
29198 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
29199 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
29200 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
29201 (gdb)
29202 @end smallexample
29203
29204 @subheading -trace-save
29205 @findex -trace-save
29206
29207 @subsubheading Synopsis
29208
29209 @smallexample
29210 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
29211 @end smallexample
29212
29213 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
29214 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
29215 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
29216 to perform the save.
29217
29218 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29219
29220 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
29221
29222
29223 @subheading -trace-start
29224 @findex -trace-start
29225
29226 @subsubheading Synopsis
29227
29228 @smallexample
29229 -trace-start
29230 @end smallexample
29231
29232 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
29233 have any fields.
29234
29235 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29236
29237 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
29238
29239 @subheading -trace-status
29240 @findex -trace-status
29241
29242 @subsubheading Synopsis
29243
29244 @smallexample
29245 -trace-status
29246 @end smallexample
29247
29248 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
29249 the following fields:
29250
29251 @table @samp
29252
29253 @item supported
29254 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
29255 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
29256 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
29257 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
29258 started. This field is always present.
29259
29260 @item running
29261 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
29262 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
29263 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
29264
29265 @item stop-reason
29266 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
29267 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
29268 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
29269 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
29270 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
29271 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
29272 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
29273 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
29274 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
29275
29276 @item stopping-tracepoint
29277 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
29278 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
29279 @samp{passcount}.
29280
29281 @item frames
29282 @itemx frames-created
29283 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
29284 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
29285 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
29286 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
29287
29288 @item buffer-size
29289 @itemx buffer-free
29290 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
29291 remaining space. These fields are optional.
29292
29293 @item circular
29294 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
29295 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
29296 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
29297 and may fill up.
29298
29299 @item disconnected
29300 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
29301 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
29302 that the trace run will stop.
29303
29304 @end table
29305
29306 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29307
29308 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
29309
29310 @subheading -trace-stop
29311 @findex -trace-stop
29312
29313 @subsubheading Synopsis
29314
29315 @smallexample
29316 -trace-stop
29317 @end smallexample
29318
29319 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
29320 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
29321 @samp{running} fields are not output.
29322
29323 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29324
29325 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
29326
29327
29328 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29329 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
29330 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
29331
29332
29333 @ignore
29334 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
29335 @findex -symbol-info-address
29336
29337 @subsubheading Synopsis
29338
29339 @smallexample
29340 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
29341 @end smallexample
29342
29343 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
29344
29345 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29346
29347 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
29348
29349 @subsubheading Example
29350 N.A.
29351
29352
29353 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
29354 @findex -symbol-info-file
29355
29356 @subsubheading Synopsis
29357
29358 @smallexample
29359 -symbol-info-file
29360 @end smallexample
29361
29362 Show the file for the symbol.
29363
29364 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29365
29366 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
29367 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
29368
29369 @subsubheading Example
29370 N.A.
29371
29372
29373 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
29374 @findex -symbol-info-function
29375
29376 @subsubheading Synopsis
29377
29378 @smallexample
29379 -symbol-info-function
29380 @end smallexample
29381
29382 Show which function the symbol lives in.
29383
29384 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29385
29386 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
29387
29388 @subsubheading Example
29389 N.A.
29390
29391
29392 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
29393 @findex -symbol-info-line
29394
29395 @subsubheading Synopsis
29396
29397 @smallexample
29398 -symbol-info-line
29399 @end smallexample
29400
29401 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
29402
29403 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29404
29405 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
29406 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
29407
29408 @subsubheading Example
29409 N.A.
29410
29411
29412 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
29413 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
29414
29415 @subsubheading Synopsis
29416
29417 @smallexample
29418 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
29419 @end smallexample
29420
29421 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
29422
29423 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29424
29425 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
29426
29427 @subsubheading Example
29428 N.A.
29429
29430
29431 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
29432 @findex -symbol-list-functions
29433
29434 @subsubheading Synopsis
29435
29436 @smallexample
29437 -symbol-list-functions
29438 @end smallexample
29439
29440 List the functions in the executable.
29441
29442 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29443
29444 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
29445 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29446
29447 @subsubheading Example
29448 N.A.
29449 @end ignore
29450
29451
29452 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
29453 @findex -symbol-list-lines
29454
29455 @subsubheading Synopsis
29456
29457 @smallexample
29458 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
29459 @end smallexample
29460
29461 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
29462 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
29463 ascending PC order.
29464
29465 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29466
29467 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
29468
29469 @subsubheading Example
29470 @smallexample
29471 (gdb)
29472 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
29473 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
29474 (gdb)
29475 @end smallexample
29476
29477
29478 @ignore
29479 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
29480 @findex -symbol-list-types
29481
29482 @subsubheading Synopsis
29483
29484 @smallexample
29485 -symbol-list-types
29486 @end smallexample
29487
29488 List all the type names.
29489
29490 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29491
29492 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
29493 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29494
29495 @subsubheading Example
29496 N.A.
29497
29498
29499 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
29500 @findex -symbol-list-variables
29501
29502 @subsubheading Synopsis
29503
29504 @smallexample
29505 -symbol-list-variables
29506 @end smallexample
29507
29508 List all the global and static variable names.
29509
29510 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29511
29512 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29513
29514 @subsubheading Example
29515 N.A.
29516
29517
29518 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
29519 @findex -symbol-locate
29520
29521 @subsubheading Synopsis
29522
29523 @smallexample
29524 -symbol-locate
29525 @end smallexample
29526
29527 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29528
29529 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
29530
29531 @subsubheading Example
29532 N.A.
29533
29534
29535 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
29536 @findex -symbol-type
29537
29538 @subsubheading Synopsis
29539
29540 @smallexample
29541 -symbol-type @var{variable}
29542 @end smallexample
29543
29544 Show type of @var{variable}.
29545
29546 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29547
29548 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
29549 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
29550
29551 @subsubheading Example
29552 N.A.
29553 @end ignore
29554
29555
29556 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29557 @node GDB/MI File Commands
29558 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
29559
29560 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
29561 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
29562
29563 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
29564 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
29565
29566 @subsubheading Synopsis
29567
29568 @smallexample
29569 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
29570 @end smallexample
29571
29572 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
29573 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
29574 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
29575 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
29576 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
29577 notification.
29578
29579 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29580
29581 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
29582
29583 @subsubheading Example
29584
29585 @smallexample
29586 (gdb)
29587 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
29588 ^done
29589 (gdb)
29590 @end smallexample
29591
29592
29593 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
29594 @findex -file-exec-file
29595
29596 @subsubheading Synopsis
29597
29598 @smallexample
29599 -file-exec-file @var{file}
29600 @end smallexample
29601
29602 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
29603 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
29604 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
29605 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
29606 notification.
29607
29608 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29609
29610 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
29611
29612 @subsubheading Example
29613
29614 @smallexample
29615 (gdb)
29616 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
29617 ^done
29618 (gdb)
29619 @end smallexample
29620
29621
29622 @ignore
29623 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
29624 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
29625
29626 @subsubheading Synopsis
29627
29628 @smallexample
29629 -file-list-exec-sections
29630 @end smallexample
29631
29632 List the sections of the current executable file.
29633
29634 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29635
29636 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
29637 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
29638 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
29639
29640 @subsubheading Example
29641 N.A.
29642 @end ignore
29643
29644
29645 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
29646 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
29647
29648 @subsubheading Synopsis
29649
29650 @smallexample
29651 -file-list-exec-source-file
29652 @end smallexample
29653
29654 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
29655 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
29656 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
29657 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
29658
29659 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29660
29661 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
29662
29663 @subsubheading Example
29664
29665 @smallexample
29666 (gdb)
29667 123-file-list-exec-source-file
29668 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
29669 (gdb)
29670 @end smallexample
29671
29672
29673 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
29674 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
29675
29676 @subsubheading Synopsis
29677
29678 @smallexample
29679 -file-list-exec-source-files
29680 @end smallexample
29681
29682 List the source files for the current executable.
29683
29684 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
29685 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
29686
29687 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29688
29689 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
29690 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
29691
29692 @subsubheading Example
29693 @smallexample
29694 (gdb)
29695 -file-list-exec-source-files
29696 ^done,files=[
29697 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
29698 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
29699 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
29700 (gdb)
29701 @end smallexample
29702
29703 @ignore
29704 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
29705 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
29706
29707 @subsubheading Synopsis
29708
29709 @smallexample
29710 -file-list-shared-libraries
29711 @end smallexample
29712
29713 List the shared libraries in the program.
29714
29715 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29716
29717 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
29718
29719 @subsubheading Example
29720 N.A.
29721
29722
29723 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
29724 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
29725
29726 @subsubheading Synopsis
29727
29728 @smallexample
29729 -file-list-symbol-files
29730 @end smallexample
29731
29732 List symbol files.
29733
29734 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29735
29736 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
29737
29738 @subsubheading Example
29739 N.A.
29740 @end ignore
29741
29742
29743 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
29744 @findex -file-symbol-file
29745
29746 @subsubheading Synopsis
29747
29748 @smallexample
29749 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
29750 @end smallexample
29751
29752 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
29753 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
29754 produced, except for a completion notification.
29755
29756 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29757
29758 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
29759
29760 @subsubheading Example
29761
29762 @smallexample
29763 (gdb)
29764 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
29765 ^done
29766 (gdb)
29767 @end smallexample
29768
29769 @ignore
29770 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29771 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
29772 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
29773
29774 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
29775
29776 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
29777
29778 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
29779
29780 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
29781
29782 @c @subheading -overlay-map
29783
29784 @c @subheading -overlay-off
29785
29786 @c @subheading -overlay-on
29787
29788 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
29789
29790 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29791 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
29792 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
29793
29794 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
29795
29796 @c @subheading -signal-handle
29797
29798 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
29799
29800 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
29801 @end ignore
29802
29803
29804 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29805 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
29806 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
29807
29808
29809 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
29810 @findex -target-attach
29811
29812 @subsubheading Synopsis
29813
29814 @smallexample
29815 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
29816 @end smallexample
29817
29818 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
29819 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
29820 group, the id previously returned by
29821 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
29822
29823 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29824
29825 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
29826
29827 @subsubheading Example
29828 @smallexample
29829 (gdb)
29830 -target-attach 34
29831 =thread-created,id="1"
29832 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
29833 ^done
29834 (gdb)
29835 @end smallexample
29836
29837 @ignore
29838 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
29839 @findex -target-compare-sections
29840
29841 @subsubheading Synopsis
29842
29843 @smallexample
29844 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
29845 @end smallexample
29846
29847 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
29848 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
29849
29850 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29851
29852 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
29853
29854 @subsubheading Example
29855 N.A.
29856 @end ignore
29857
29858
29859 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
29860 @findex -target-detach
29861
29862 @subsubheading Synopsis
29863
29864 @smallexample
29865 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
29866 @end smallexample
29867
29868 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
29869 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
29870 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
29871
29872 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29873
29874 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
29875
29876 @subsubheading Example
29877
29878 @smallexample
29879 (gdb)
29880 -target-detach
29881 ^done
29882 (gdb)
29883 @end smallexample
29884
29885
29886 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
29887 @findex -target-disconnect
29888
29889 @subsubheading Synopsis
29890
29891 @smallexample
29892 -target-disconnect
29893 @end smallexample
29894
29895 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
29896 generally not resumed.
29897
29898 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29899
29900 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
29901
29902 @subsubheading Example
29903
29904 @smallexample
29905 (gdb)
29906 -target-disconnect
29907 ^done
29908 (gdb)
29909 @end smallexample
29910
29911
29912 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
29913 @findex -target-download
29914
29915 @subsubheading Synopsis
29916
29917 @smallexample
29918 -target-download
29919 @end smallexample
29920
29921 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
29922 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
29923
29924 @table @samp
29925 @item section
29926 The name of the section.
29927 @item section-sent
29928 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
29929 @item section-size
29930 The size of the section.
29931 @item total-sent
29932 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
29933 @item total-size
29934 The size of the overall executable to download.
29935 @end table
29936
29937 @noindent
29938 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
29939 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
29940
29941 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
29942 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
29943
29944 @table @samp
29945 @item section
29946 The name of the section.
29947 @item section-size
29948 The size of the section.
29949 @item total-size
29950 The size of the overall executable to download.
29951 @end table
29952
29953 @noindent
29954 At the end, a summary is printed.
29955
29956 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29957
29958 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
29959
29960 @subsubheading Example
29961
29962 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
29963 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
29964
29965 @smallexample
29966 (gdb)
29967 -target-download
29968 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
29969 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
29970 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
29971 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
29972 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
29973 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
29974 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
29975 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
29976 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
29977 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
29978 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
29979 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
29980 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
29981 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
29982 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
29983 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
29984 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
29985 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
29986 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
29987 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
29988 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
29989 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
29990 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
29991 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
29992 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
29993 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
29994 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
29995 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29996 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29997 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
29998 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
29999 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
30000 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
30001 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
30002 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
30003 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
30004 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
30005 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
30006 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
30007 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
30008 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
30009 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
30010 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
30011 write-rate="429"
30012 (gdb)
30013 @end smallexample
30014
30015
30016 @ignore
30017 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
30018 @findex -target-exec-status
30019
30020 @subsubheading Synopsis
30021
30022 @smallexample
30023 -target-exec-status
30024 @end smallexample
30025
30026 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
30027 not, for instance).
30028
30029 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30030
30031 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
30032
30033 @subsubheading Example
30034 N.A.
30035
30036
30037 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
30038 @findex -target-list-available-targets
30039
30040 @subsubheading Synopsis
30041
30042 @smallexample
30043 -target-list-available-targets
30044 @end smallexample
30045
30046 List the possible targets to connect to.
30047
30048 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30049
30050 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
30051
30052 @subsubheading Example
30053 N.A.
30054
30055
30056 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
30057 @findex -target-list-current-targets
30058
30059 @subsubheading Synopsis
30060
30061 @smallexample
30062 -target-list-current-targets
30063 @end smallexample
30064
30065 Describe the current target.
30066
30067 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30068
30069 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
30070 other things).
30071
30072 @subsubheading Example
30073 N.A.
30074
30075
30076 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
30077 @findex -target-list-parameters
30078
30079 @subsubheading Synopsis
30080
30081 @smallexample
30082 -target-list-parameters
30083 @end smallexample
30084
30085 @c ????
30086 @end ignore
30087
30088 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30089
30090 No equivalent.
30091
30092 @subsubheading Example
30093 N.A.
30094
30095
30096 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
30097 @findex -target-select
30098
30099 @subsubheading Synopsis
30100
30101 @smallexample
30102 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
30103 @end smallexample
30104
30105 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
30106
30107 @table @samp
30108 @item @var{type}
30109 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
30110 @item @var{parameters}
30111 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
30112 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
30113 @end table
30114
30115 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
30116 which the target program is, in the following form:
30117
30118 @smallexample
30119 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
30120 args=[@var{arg list}]
30121 @end smallexample
30122
30123 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30124
30125 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
30126
30127 @subsubheading Example
30128
30129 @smallexample
30130 (gdb)
30131 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
30132 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
30133 (gdb)
30134 @end smallexample
30135
30136 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30137 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
30138 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
30139
30140
30141 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
30142 @findex -target-file-put
30143
30144 @subsubheading Synopsis
30145
30146 @smallexample
30147 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
30148 @end smallexample
30149
30150 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
30151 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
30152
30153 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30154
30155 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
30156
30157 @subsubheading Example
30158
30159 @smallexample
30160 (gdb)
30161 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
30162 ^done
30163 (gdb)
30164 @end smallexample
30165
30166
30167 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
30168 @findex -target-file-get
30169
30170 @subsubheading Synopsis
30171
30172 @smallexample
30173 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
30174 @end smallexample
30175
30176 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
30177 on the host system.
30178
30179 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30180
30181 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
30182
30183 @subsubheading Example
30184
30185 @smallexample
30186 (gdb)
30187 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
30188 ^done
30189 (gdb)
30190 @end smallexample
30191
30192
30193 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
30194 @findex -target-file-delete
30195
30196 @subsubheading Synopsis
30197
30198 @smallexample
30199 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
30200 @end smallexample
30201
30202 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
30203
30204 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30205
30206 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
30207
30208 @subsubheading Example
30209
30210 @smallexample
30211 (gdb)
30212 -target-file-delete remotefile
30213 ^done
30214 (gdb)
30215 @end smallexample
30216
30217
30218 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30219 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
30220 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
30221
30222 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
30223
30224 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
30225 @findex -gdb-exit
30226
30227 @subsubheading Synopsis
30228
30229 @smallexample
30230 -gdb-exit
30231 @end smallexample
30232
30233 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
30234
30235 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30236
30237 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
30238
30239 @subsubheading Example
30240
30241 @smallexample
30242 (gdb)
30243 -gdb-exit
30244 ^exit
30245 @end smallexample
30246
30247
30248 @ignore
30249 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
30250 @findex -exec-abort
30251
30252 @subsubheading Synopsis
30253
30254 @smallexample
30255 -exec-abort
30256 @end smallexample
30257
30258 Kill the inferior running program.
30259
30260 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30261
30262 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
30263
30264 @subsubheading Example
30265 N.A.
30266 @end ignore
30267
30268
30269 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
30270 @findex -gdb-set
30271
30272 @subsubheading Synopsis
30273
30274 @smallexample
30275 -gdb-set
30276 @end smallexample
30277
30278 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
30279 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
30280
30281 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30282
30283 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
30284
30285 @subsubheading Example
30286
30287 @smallexample
30288 (gdb)
30289 -gdb-set $foo=3
30290 ^done
30291 (gdb)
30292 @end smallexample
30293
30294
30295 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
30296 @findex -gdb-show
30297
30298 @subsubheading Synopsis
30299
30300 @smallexample
30301 -gdb-show
30302 @end smallexample
30303
30304 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
30305
30306 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30307
30308 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
30309
30310 @subsubheading Example
30311
30312 @smallexample
30313 (gdb)
30314 -gdb-show annotate
30315 ^done,value="0"
30316 (gdb)
30317 @end smallexample
30318
30319 @c @subheading -gdb-source
30320
30321
30322 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
30323 @findex -gdb-version
30324
30325 @subsubheading Synopsis
30326
30327 @smallexample
30328 -gdb-version
30329 @end smallexample
30330
30331 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
30332
30333 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30334
30335 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
30336 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
30337
30338 @subsubheading Example
30339
30340 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
30341 @c box in TeX.
30342 @smallexample
30343 (gdb)
30344 -gdb-version
30345 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
30346 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
30347 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
30348 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
30349 ~ certain conditions.
30350 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
30351 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
30352 ~ details.
30353 ~This GDB was configured as
30354 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
30355 ^done
30356 (gdb)
30357 @end smallexample
30358
30359 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
30360 @findex -list-features
30361
30362 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
30363 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
30364 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
30365 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
30366 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
30367 startup.
30368
30369 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
30370 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
30371 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
30372 is given below.
30373
30374 Example output:
30375
30376 @smallexample
30377 (gdb) -list-features
30378 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
30379 @end smallexample
30380
30381 The current list of features is:
30382
30383 @table @samp
30384 @item frozen-varobjs
30385 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
30386 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
30387 of @code{-varobj-create}.
30388 @item pending-breakpoints
30389 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
30390 command.
30391 @item python
30392 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
30393 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
30394 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
30395 @item thread-info
30396 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
30397 @item data-read-memory-bytes
30398 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
30399 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
30400 @item breakpoint-notifications
30401 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
30402 CLI will be announced via async records.
30403 @item ada-task-info
30404 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
30405 @end table
30406
30407 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
30408 @findex -list-target-features
30409
30410 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
30411 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
30412 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
30413 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
30414 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
30415 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
30416 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
30417 Example output:
30418
30419 @smallexample
30420 (gdb) -list-features
30421 ^done,result=["async"]
30422 @end smallexample
30423
30424 The current list of features is:
30425
30426 @table @samp
30427 @item async
30428 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
30429 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
30430 while the target is running.
30431
30432 @item reverse
30433 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
30434 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
30435
30436 @end table
30437
30438 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
30439 @findex -list-thread-groups
30440
30441 @subheading Synopsis
30442
30443 @smallexample
30444 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
30445 @end smallexample
30446
30447 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
30448 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
30449 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
30450 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
30451 top-level thread groups.
30452
30453 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
30454 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
30455 available on the target.
30456
30457 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
30458 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
30459 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
30460 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
30461 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
30462 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
30463 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
30464 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
30465
30466 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
30467 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
30468 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
30469 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
30470 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
30471 @samp{threads} field.
30472
30473 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
30474 the following caveats:
30475
30476 @itemize @bullet
30477 @item
30478 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
30479 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
30480 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
30481
30482 @item
30483 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
30484 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
30485 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
30486 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
30487 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
30488 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
30489
30490 @end itemize
30491
30492 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
30493 have the following fields:
30494
30495 @table @code
30496 @item id
30497 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
30498 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
30499 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
30500
30501 @item type
30502 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
30503 valid type.
30504
30505 @item pid
30506 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
30507 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
30508
30509 @item num_children
30510 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
30511 absent for an available thread group.
30512
30513 @item threads
30514 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
30515 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
30516 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
30517
30518 @item cores
30519 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
30520 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
30521 such information is not available.
30522
30523 @item executable
30524 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
30525 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
30526 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
30527
30528 @end table
30529
30530 @subheading Example
30531
30532 @smallexample
30533 @value{GDBP}
30534 -list-thread-groups
30535 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
30536 -list-thread-groups 17
30537 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
30538 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
30539 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
30540 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
30541 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
30542 -list-thread-groups --available
30543 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
30544 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
30545 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
30546 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
30547 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
30548 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
30549 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
30550 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
30551 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
30552 @end smallexample
30553
30554
30555 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
30556 @findex -add-inferior
30557
30558 @subheading Synopsis
30559
30560 @smallexample
30561 -add-inferior
30562 @end smallexample
30563
30564 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
30565 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
30566 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
30567 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
30568 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
30569 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
30570
30571 @subheading Example
30572
30573 @smallexample
30574 @value{GDBP}
30575 -add-inferior
30576 ^done,thread-group="i3"
30577 @end smallexample
30578
30579 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
30580 @findex -interpreter-exec
30581
30582 @subheading Synopsis
30583
30584 @smallexample
30585 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
30586 @end smallexample
30587 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
30588
30589 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
30590
30591 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30592
30593 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
30594
30595 @subheading Example
30596
30597 @smallexample
30598 (gdb)
30599 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
30600 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
30601 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
30602 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
30603 ^done
30604 (gdb)
30605 @end smallexample
30606
30607 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
30608 @findex -inferior-tty-set
30609
30610 @subheading Synopsis
30611
30612 @smallexample
30613 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
30614 @end smallexample
30615
30616 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
30617
30618 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30619
30620 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
30621
30622 @subheading Example
30623
30624 @smallexample
30625 (gdb)
30626 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
30627 ^done
30628 (gdb)
30629 @end smallexample
30630
30631 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
30632 @findex -inferior-tty-show
30633
30634 @subheading Synopsis
30635
30636 @smallexample
30637 -inferior-tty-show
30638 @end smallexample
30639
30640 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
30641
30642 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30643
30644 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
30645
30646 @subheading Example
30647
30648 @smallexample
30649 (gdb)
30650 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
30651 ^done
30652 (gdb)
30653 -inferior-tty-show
30654 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
30655 (gdb)
30656 @end smallexample
30657
30658 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
30659 @findex -enable-timings
30660
30661 @subheading Synopsis
30662
30663 @smallexample
30664 -enable-timings [yes | no]
30665 @end smallexample
30666
30667 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
30668 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
30669 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
30670 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
30671
30672 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30673
30674 No equivalent.
30675
30676 @subheading Example
30677
30678 @smallexample
30679 (gdb)
30680 -enable-timings
30681 ^done
30682 (gdb)
30683 -break-insert main
30684 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30685 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
30686 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
30687 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
30688 (gdb)
30689 -enable-timings no
30690 ^done
30691 (gdb)
30692 -exec-run
30693 ^running
30694 (gdb)
30695 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
30696 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
30697 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
30698 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
30699 (gdb)
30700 @end smallexample
30701
30702 @node Annotations
30703 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
30704
30705 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
30706 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
30707 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
30708 relatively high level.
30709
30710 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
30711 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
30712
30713 @ignore
30714 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
30715 @end ignore
30716
30717 @menu
30718 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
30719 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
30720 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
30721 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
30722 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
30723 * Annotations for Running::
30724 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
30725 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
30726 @end menu
30727
30728 @node Annotations Overview
30729 @section What is an Annotation?
30730 @cindex annotations
30731
30732 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
30733 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
30734 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
30735 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
30736 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
30737 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
30738 cannot contain newline characters.
30739
30740 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
30741 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
30742 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
30743 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
30744 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
30745 means those three characters as output.
30746
30747 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
30748 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
30749 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
30750 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
30751 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
30752 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
30753 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
30754 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
30755 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
30756
30757 @table @code
30758 @kindex set annotate
30759 @item set annotate @var{level}
30760 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
30761 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
30762
30763 @item show annotate
30764 @kindex show annotate
30765 Show the current annotation level.
30766 @end table
30767
30768 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
30769
30770 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
30771
30772 @smallexample
30773 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
30774 GNU gdb 6.0
30775 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
30776 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
30777 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
30778 under certain conditions.
30779 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
30780 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
30781 for details.
30782 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
30783
30784 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
30785 (@value{GDBP})
30786 ^Z^Zprompt
30787 @kbd{quit}
30788
30789 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
30790 $
30791 @end smallexample
30792
30793 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
30794 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
30795 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
30796 output from @value{GDBN}.
30797
30798 @node Server Prefix
30799 @section The Server Prefix
30800 @cindex server prefix
30801
30802 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
30803 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
30804 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
30805 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
30806 a transparent manner.
30807
30808 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
30809 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
30810 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
30811 @code{print} command.
30812
30813 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
30814 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
30815
30816 @node Prompting
30817 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
30818
30819 @cindex annotations for prompts
30820 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
30821 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
30822 over, etc.
30823
30824 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
30825 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
30826 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
30827 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
30828 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
30829 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
30830 features the following annotations:
30831
30832 @smallexample
30833 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
30834 ^Z^Zprompt
30835 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
30836 @end smallexample
30837
30838 The input types are
30839
30840 @table @code
30841 @findex pre-prompt annotation
30842 @findex prompt annotation
30843 @findex post-prompt annotation
30844 @item prompt
30845 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
30846
30847 @findex pre-commands annotation
30848 @findex commands annotation
30849 @findex post-commands annotation
30850 @item commands
30851 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
30852 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
30853
30854 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
30855 @findex overload-choice annotation
30856 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
30857 @item overload-choice
30858 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
30859
30860 @findex pre-query annotation
30861 @findex query annotation
30862 @findex post-query annotation
30863 @item query
30864 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
30865
30866 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
30867 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
30868 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
30869 @item prompt-for-continue
30870 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
30871 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
30872 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
30873 presence of annotations.
30874 @end table
30875
30876 @node Errors
30877 @section Errors
30878 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
30879
30880 @findex quit annotation
30881 @smallexample
30882 ^Z^Zquit
30883 @end smallexample
30884
30885 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
30886
30887 @findex error annotation
30888 @smallexample
30889 ^Z^Zerror
30890 @end smallexample
30891
30892 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
30893
30894 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
30895 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
30896 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
30897 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
30898 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
30899 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
30900 to the top level.
30901
30902 @findex error-begin annotation
30903 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
30904
30905 @smallexample
30906 ^Z^Zerror-begin
30907 @end smallexample
30908
30909 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
30910 message.
30911
30912 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
30913 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
30914 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
30915
30916 @node Invalidation
30917 @section Invalidation Notices
30918
30919 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
30920 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
30921 changed.
30922
30923 @table @code
30924 @findex frames-invalid annotation
30925 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
30926
30927 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
30928 have changed.
30929
30930 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
30931 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
30932
30933 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
30934 deleted a breakpoint.
30935 @end table
30936
30937 @node Annotations for Running
30938 @section Running the Program
30939 @cindex annotations for running programs
30940
30941 @findex starting annotation
30942 @findex stopping annotation
30943 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
30944 @code{step} or @code{continue},
30945
30946 @smallexample
30947 ^Z^Zstarting
30948 @end smallexample
30949
30950 is output. When the program stops,
30951
30952 @smallexample
30953 ^Z^Zstopped
30954 @end smallexample
30955
30956 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
30957 annotations describe how the program stopped.
30958
30959 @table @code
30960 @findex exited annotation
30961 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
30962 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
30963 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
30964
30965 @findex signalled annotation
30966 @findex signal-name annotation
30967 @findex signal-name-end annotation
30968 @findex signal-string annotation
30969 @findex signal-string-end annotation
30970 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
30971 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
30972 annotation continues:
30973
30974 @smallexample
30975 @var{intro-text}
30976 ^Z^Zsignal-name
30977 @var{name}
30978 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
30979 @var{middle-text}
30980 ^Z^Zsignal-string
30981 @var{string}
30982 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
30983 @var{end-text}
30984 @end smallexample
30985
30986 @noindent
30987 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
30988 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
30989 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
30990 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
30991 user's benefit and have no particular format.
30992
30993 @findex signal annotation
30994 @item ^Z^Zsignal
30995 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
30996 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
30997 terminated with it.
30998
30999 @findex breakpoint annotation
31000 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
31001 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
31002
31003 @findex watchpoint annotation
31004 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
31005 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
31006 @end table
31007
31008 @node Source Annotations
31009 @section Displaying Source
31010 @cindex annotations for source display
31011
31012 @findex source annotation
31013 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
31014
31015 @smallexample
31016 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
31017 @end smallexample
31018
31019 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
31020 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
31021 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
31022 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
31023 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
31024 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
31025 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
31026 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
31027 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
31028 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
31029 depend on the language).
31030
31031 @node JIT Interface
31032 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
31033 @cindex just-in-time compilation
31034 @cindex JIT compilation interface
31035
31036 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
31037 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
31038 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
31039 performance while maintaining platform independence.
31040
31041 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
31042 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
31043 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
31044 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
31045 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
31046 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
31047
31048 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
31049 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
31050 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
31051 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
31052 LLVM JIT.
31053
31054 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
31055 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
31056 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
31057 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
31058 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
31059 out about additional code.
31060
31061 @menu
31062 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
31063 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
31064 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
31065 @end menu
31066
31067 @node Declarations
31068 @section JIT Declarations
31069
31070 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
31071 implement the interface:
31072
31073 @smallexample
31074 typedef enum
31075 @{
31076 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
31077 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
31078 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
31079 @} jit_actions_t;
31080
31081 struct jit_code_entry
31082 @{
31083 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
31084 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
31085 const char *symfile_addr;
31086 uint64_t symfile_size;
31087 @};
31088
31089 struct jit_descriptor
31090 @{
31091 uint32_t version;
31092 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
31093 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
31094 uint32_t action_flag;
31095 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
31096 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
31097 @};
31098
31099 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
31100 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
31101
31102 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
31103 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
31104 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
31105 @end smallexample
31106
31107 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
31108 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
31109 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
31110
31111 @node Registering Code
31112 @section Registering Code
31113
31114 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
31115
31116 @itemize @bullet
31117 @item
31118 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
31119 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
31120
31121 @item
31122 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
31123 file.
31124
31125 @item
31126 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
31127
31128 @item
31129 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
31130
31131 @item
31132 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
31133 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
31134 @end itemize
31135
31136 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
31137 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
31138 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
31139 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
31140
31141 @node Unregistering Code
31142 @section Unregistering Code
31143
31144 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
31145
31146 @itemize @bullet
31147 @item
31148 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
31149
31150 @item
31151 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
31152
31153 @item
31154 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
31155 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
31156 @end itemize
31157
31158 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
31159 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
31160
31161 @node GDB Bugs
31162 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
31163 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
31164 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
31165
31166 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
31167
31168 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
31169 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
31170 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
31171 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
31172
31173 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
31174 information that enables us to fix the bug.
31175
31176 @menu
31177 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
31178 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
31179 @end menu
31180
31181 @node Bug Criteria
31182 @section Have You Found a Bug?
31183 @cindex bug criteria
31184
31185 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
31186
31187 @itemize @bullet
31188 @cindex fatal signal
31189 @cindex debugger crash
31190 @cindex crash of debugger
31191 @item
31192 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
31193 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
31194
31195 @cindex error on valid input
31196 @item
31197 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
31198 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
31199 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
31200
31201 @cindex invalid input
31202 @item
31203 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
31204 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
31205 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
31206 for traditional practice''.
31207
31208 @item
31209 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
31210 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
31211 @end itemize
31212
31213 @node Bug Reporting
31214 @section How to Report Bugs
31215 @cindex bug reports
31216 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
31217
31218 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
31219 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
31220 contact that organization first.
31221
31222 You can find contact information for many support companies and
31223 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
31224 distribution.
31225 @c should add a web page ref...
31226
31227 @ifset BUGURL
31228 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
31229 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
31230 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
31231 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
31232 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
31233 be used.
31234
31235 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
31236 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
31237 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
31238 @samp{bug-gdb}.
31239
31240 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
31241 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
31242 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
31243 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
31244 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
31245 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
31246 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
31247 bug reports to the mailing list.
31248 @end ifset
31249 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
31250 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
31251 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
31252 @end ifclear
31253 @end ifset
31254
31255 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
31256 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
31257 fact or leave it out, state it!
31258
31259 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
31260 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
31261 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
31262 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
31263 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
31264 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
31265 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
31266 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
31267 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
31268
31269 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
31270 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
31271 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
31272 self-contained.
31273
31274 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
31275 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
31276 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
31277 bugs properly.
31278
31279 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
31280
31281 @itemize @bullet
31282 @item
31283 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
31284 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
31285 version}.
31286
31287 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
31288 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
31289
31290 @item
31291 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
31292 version number.
31293
31294 @item
31295 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
31296 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
31297
31298 @item
31299 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
31300 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
31301 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
31302 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
31303 those compilers.
31304
31305 @item
31306 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
31307 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
31308 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
31309 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
31310
31311 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
31312 and then we might not encounter the bug.
31313
31314 @item
31315 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
31316 reproduce the bug.
31317
31318 @item
31319 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
31320 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
31321
31322 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
31323 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
31324 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
31325 a chance to make a mistake.
31326
31327 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
31328 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
31329 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
31330 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
31331 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
31332 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
31333 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
31334 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
31335
31336 @pindex script
31337 @cindex recording a session script
31338 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
31339 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
31340 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
31341 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
31342
31343 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
31344 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
31345
31346 @item
31347 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
31348 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
31349 it by context, not by line number.
31350
31351 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
31352 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
31353
31354 @end itemize
31355
31356 Here are some things that are not necessary:
31357
31358 @itemize @bullet
31359 @item
31360 A description of the envelope of the bug.
31361
31362 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
31363 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
31364 changes will not affect it.
31365
31366 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
31367 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
31368 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
31369 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
31370
31371 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
31372 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
31373 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
31374 less time, and so on.
31375
31376 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
31377 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
31378
31379 @item
31380 A patch for the bug.
31381
31382 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
31383 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
31384 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
31385 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
31386
31387 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
31388 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
31389 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
31390 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
31391
31392 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
31393 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
31394 help us to understand.
31395
31396 @item
31397 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
31398
31399 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
31400 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
31401 @end itemize
31402
31403 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
31404 @c and consists of the two following files:
31405 @c rluser.texi
31406 @c hsuser.texi
31407 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
31408 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
31409 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
31410 @include rluser.texi
31411 @include hsuser.texi
31412 @end ifclear
31413
31414 @node In Memoriam
31415 @appendix In Memoriam
31416
31417 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
31418 contributors:
31419
31420 @table @code
31421 @item Fred Fish
31422 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
31423 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
31424 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
31425
31426 @item Michael Snyder
31427 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
31428 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
31429 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
31430 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
31431 @end table
31432
31433 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
31434 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
31435
31436 @node Formatting Documentation
31437 @appendix Formatting Documentation
31438
31439 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
31440 @cindex reference card
31441 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
31442 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
31443 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
31444 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
31445 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
31446 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
31447
31448 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
31449 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
31450
31451 @smallexample
31452 make refcard.dvi
31453 @end smallexample
31454
31455 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
31456 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
31457 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
31458 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
31459 your @sc{dvi} output program.
31460
31461 @cindex documentation
31462
31463 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
31464 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
31465 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
31466 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
31467 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
31468 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
31469
31470 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
31471 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
31472 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
31473 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
31474 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
31475 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
31476 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
31477 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
31478
31479 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
31480 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
31481 @code{makeinfo}.
31482
31483 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
31484 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
31485 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
31486
31487 @smallexample
31488 cd gdb
31489 make gdb.info
31490 @end smallexample
31491
31492 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
31493 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
31494 Texinfo definitions file.
31495
31496 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
31497 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
31498 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
31499 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
31500 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
31501 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
31502 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
31503
31504 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
31505 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
31506 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
31507 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
31508 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
31509 directory.
31510
31511 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
31512 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
31513 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
31514 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
31515
31516 @smallexample
31517 make gdb.dvi
31518 @end smallexample
31519
31520 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
31521
31522 @node Installing GDB
31523 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
31524 @cindex installation
31525
31526 @menu
31527 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
31528 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
31529 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
31530 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
31531 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
31532 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
31533 @end menu
31534
31535 @node Requirements
31536 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
31537 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
31538
31539 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
31540 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
31541
31542 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
31543 @table @asis
31544 @item ISO C90 compiler
31545 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
31546 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
31547
31548 @end table
31549
31550 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
31551 @table @asis
31552 @item Expat
31553 @anchor{Expat}
31554 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
31555 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
31556 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
31557 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
31558 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
31559 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
31560
31561 Expat is used for:
31562
31563 @itemize @bullet
31564 @item
31565 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
31566 @item
31567 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
31568 @item
31569 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
31570 @item
31571 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
31572 @item
31573 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
31574 @end itemize
31575
31576 @item zlib
31577 @cindex compressed debug sections
31578 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
31579 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
31580 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
31581 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
31582 information in such binaries.
31583
31584 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
31585 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
31586 @url{http://zlib.net}.
31587
31588 @item iconv
31589 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
31590 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
31591 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
31592 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
31593
31594 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
31595 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
31596 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
31597 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
31598
31599 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
31600 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
31601 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
31602
31603 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
31604 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
31605 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
31606 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
31607 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
31608 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
31609 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
31610 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
31611 @end table
31612
31613 @node Running Configure
31614 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
31615 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
31616 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
31617 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
31618 build the @code{gdb} program.
31619 @iftex
31620 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
31621 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
31622 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
31623 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
31624 @end iftex
31625
31626 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
31627 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
31628 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
31629
31630 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
31631 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
31632
31633 @table @code
31634 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
31635 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
31636
31637 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
31638 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
31639
31640 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
31641 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
31642
31643 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
31644 @sc{gnu} include files
31645
31646 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
31647 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
31648
31649 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
31650 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
31651
31652 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
31653 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
31654
31655 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
31656 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
31657
31658 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
31659 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
31660 @end table
31661
31662 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
31663 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
31664 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
31665
31666 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
31667 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
31668 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
31669 argument.
31670
31671 For example:
31672
31673 @smallexample
31674 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
31675 ./configure @var{host}
31676 make
31677 @end smallexample
31678
31679 @noindent
31680 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
31681 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
31682 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
31683 correct value by examining your system.)
31684
31685 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
31686 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
31687 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
31688 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
31689
31690 @need 750
31691 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
31692 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
31693 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
31694
31695 @smallexample
31696 sh configure @var{host}
31697 @end smallexample
31698
31699 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
31700 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
31701 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
31702 @file{configure}
31703 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
31704 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
31705
31706 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
31707 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
31708 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
31709 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
31710 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
31711 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
31712 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
31713 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
31714 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
31715
31716 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
31717 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
31718 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
31719 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
31720 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
31721
31722 @node Separate Objdir
31723 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
31724
31725 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
31726 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
31727 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
31728 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
31729 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
31730 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
31731 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
31732 program specified there.
31733
31734 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
31735 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
31736 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
31737 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
31738 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
31739 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
31740
31741 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
31742 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
31743
31744 @smallexample
31745 @group
31746 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
31747 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
31748 cd ../gdb-sun4
31749 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
31750 make
31751 @end group
31752 @end smallexample
31753
31754 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
31755 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
31756 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
31757 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
31758 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
31759 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
31760
31761 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
31762 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
31763 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
31764 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
31765 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
31766
31767 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
31768 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
31769 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
31770 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
31771 You specify a cross-debugging target by
31772 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
31773
31774 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
31775 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
31776 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
31777
31778 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
31779 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
31780 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
31781 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
31782 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
31783
31784 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
31785 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
31786 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
31787 with each other.
31788
31789 @node Config Names
31790 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
31791
31792 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
31793 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
31794 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
31795 of information in the following pattern:
31796
31797 @smallexample
31798 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
31799 @end smallexample
31800
31801 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
31802 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
31803 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
31804
31805 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
31806 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
31807 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
31808 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
31809 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
31810 abbreviations---for example:
31811
31812 @smallexample
31813 % sh config.sub i386-linux
31814 i386-pc-linux-gnu
31815 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
31816 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
31817 % sh config.sub hp9k700
31818 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
31819 % sh config.sub sun4
31820 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
31821 % sh config.sub sun3
31822 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
31823 % sh config.sub i986v
31824 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
31825 @end smallexample
31826
31827 @noindent
31828 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
31829 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
31830
31831 @node Configure Options
31832 @section @file{configure} Options
31833
31834 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
31835 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
31836 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
31837 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
31838
31839 @smallexample
31840 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
31841 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
31842 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
31843 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
31844 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
31845 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
31846 @var{host}
31847 @end smallexample
31848
31849 @noindent
31850 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
31851 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
31852 @samp{--}.
31853
31854 @table @code
31855 @item --help
31856 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
31857
31858 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
31859 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
31860 @file{@var{dir}}.
31861
31862 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
31863 Configure the source to install programs under directory
31864 @file{@var{dir}}.
31865
31866 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
31867 @need 2000
31868 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
31869 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
31870 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
31871 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
31872 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
31873 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
31874 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
31875 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
31876 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
31877 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
31878 @var{dirname}.
31879
31880 @item --norecursion
31881 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
31882 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
31883
31884 @item --target=@var{target}
31885 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
31886 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
31887 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
31888
31889 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
31890
31891 @item @var{host} @dots{}
31892 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
31893
31894 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
31895 @end table
31896
31897 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
31898 needed for special purposes only.
31899
31900 @node System-wide configuration
31901 @section System-wide configuration and settings
31902 @cindex system-wide init file
31903
31904 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
31905 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
31906 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
31907
31908 Here is the corresponding configure option:
31909
31910 @table @code
31911 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
31912 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
31913 @var{file}.
31914 @end table
31915
31916 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
31917 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
31918
31919 @itemize @bullet
31920 @item
31921 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
31922 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
31923 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
31924 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
31925 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
31926 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
31927
31928 @item
31929 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
31930 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
31931 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
31932 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
31933 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
31934 @end itemize
31935
31936 @node Maintenance Commands
31937 @appendix Maintenance Commands
31938 @cindex maintenance commands
31939 @cindex internal commands
31940
31941 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
31942 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
31943 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
31944 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
31945 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
31946
31947 @table @code
31948 @kindex maint agent
31949 @kindex maint agent-eval
31950 @item maint agent @var{expression}
31951 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
31952 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
31953 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
31954 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
31955 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
31956 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
31957 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
31958 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
31959 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
31960 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
31961 addition and return the sum.
31962
31963 @kindex maint info breakpoints
31964 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
31965 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
31966 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
31967 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
31968 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
31969 is shown:
31970
31971 @table @code
31972 @item breakpoint
31973 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
31974
31975 @item watchpoint
31976 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
31977
31978 @item longjmp
31979 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
31980 @code{longjmp} calls.
31981
31982 @item longjmp resume
31983 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
31984
31985 @item until
31986 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
31987
31988 @item finish
31989 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
31990
31991 @item shlib events
31992 Shared library events.
31993
31994 @end table
31995
31996 @kindex set displaced-stepping
31997 @kindex show displaced-stepping
31998 @cindex displaced stepping support
31999 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
32000 @item set displaced-stepping
32001 @itemx show displaced-stepping
32002 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
32003 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
32004 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
32005 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
32006 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
32007
32008 @table @code
32009 @item set displaced-stepping on
32010 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
32011 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
32012
32013 @item set displaced-stepping off
32014 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
32015 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
32016
32017 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
32018 @item set displaced-stepping auto
32019 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
32020 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
32021 architecture supports displaced stepping.
32022 @end table
32023
32024 @kindex maint check-symtabs
32025 @item maint check-symtabs
32026 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
32027
32028 @kindex maint cplus first_component
32029 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
32030 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
32031
32032 @kindex maint cplus namespace
32033 @item maint cplus namespace
32034 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
32035
32036 @kindex maint demangle
32037 @item maint demangle @var{name}
32038 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
32039
32040 @kindex maint deprecate
32041 @kindex maint undeprecate
32042 @cindex deprecated commands
32043 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
32044 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
32045 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
32046 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
32047 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
32048 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
32049 the replacement as part of the warning.
32050
32051 @kindex maint dump-me
32052 @item maint dump-me
32053 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
32054 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
32055 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
32056 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
32057
32058 @kindex maint internal-error
32059 @kindex maint internal-warning
32060 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
32061 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
32062 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
32063 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
32064 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
32065 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
32066 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
32067 @value{GDBN} session.
32068
32069 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
32070 used as the text of the error or warning message.
32071
32072 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
32073
32074 @smallexample
32075 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
32076 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
32077 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
32078 debugging may prove unreliable.
32079 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
32080 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
32081 (@value{GDBP})
32082 @end smallexample
32083
32084 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
32085 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
32086
32087 @kindex maint set internal-error
32088 @kindex maint show internal-error
32089 @kindex maint set internal-warning
32090 @kindex maint show internal-warning
32091 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
32092 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
32093 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
32094 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
32095 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
32096 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
32097 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
32098 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
32099 described in the table below.
32100
32101 @table @samp
32102 @item quit
32103 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
32104 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
32105
32106 @item corefile
32107 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
32108 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
32109 @end table
32110
32111 @kindex maint packet
32112 @item maint packet @var{text}
32113 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
32114 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
32115 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
32116 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
32117 checksum.
32118
32119 @kindex maint print architecture
32120 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
32121 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
32122 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
32123
32124 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
32125 @item maint print c-tdesc
32126 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
32127 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
32128 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
32129
32130 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
32131 @item maint print dummy-frames
32132 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
32133
32134 @smallexample
32135 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
32136 @dots{}
32137 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
32138 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
32139 58 return (a + b);
32140 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
32141 @dots{}
32142 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
32143 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
32144 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
32145 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
32146 (@value{GDBP})
32147 @end smallexample
32148
32149 Takes an optional file parameter.
32150
32151 @kindex maint print registers
32152 @kindex maint print raw-registers
32153 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
32154 @kindex maint print register-groups
32155 @kindex maint print remote-registers
32156 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
32157 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
32158 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
32159 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
32160 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
32161 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
32162
32163 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
32164 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
32165 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
32166 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
32167 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
32168 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
32169 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
32170 and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
32171 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
32172
32173 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
32174 write the information.
32175
32176 @kindex maint print reggroups
32177 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
32178 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
32179 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
32180 information.
32181
32182 The register groups info looks like this:
32183
32184 @smallexample
32185 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
32186 Group Type
32187 general user
32188 float user
32189 all user
32190 vector user
32191 system user
32192 save internal
32193 restore internal
32194 @end smallexample
32195
32196 @kindex flushregs
32197 @item flushregs
32198 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
32199
32200 @kindex maint print objfiles
32201 @cindex info for known object files
32202 @item maint print objfiles
32203 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
32204 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
32205 and symtabs.
32206
32207 @kindex maint print section-scripts
32208 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
32209 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
32210 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
32211 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
32212 matching @var{regexp}.
32213 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
32214 and the full path if known.
32215 @xref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}.
32216
32217 @kindex maint print statistics
32218 @cindex bcache statistics
32219 @item maint print statistics
32220 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
32221 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
32222 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
32223 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
32224 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
32225 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
32226 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
32227 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
32228 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
32229 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
32230 lengths.
32231
32232 @kindex maint print target-stack
32233 @cindex target stack description
32234 @item maint print target-stack
32235 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
32236 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
32237 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
32238 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
32239 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
32240 address.
32241
32242 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
32243 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
32244
32245 @kindex maint print type
32246 @cindex type chain of a data type
32247 @item maint print type @var{expr}
32248 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
32249 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
32250 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
32251 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
32252 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
32253
32254 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
32255 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
32256 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
32257 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
32258 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
32259 information.
32260
32261 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
32262 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
32263 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
32264 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
32265 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
32266 always see the disassembly form.
32267
32268 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
32269
32270 @smallexample
32271 (gdb) info addr argc
32272 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
32273 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
32274 @end smallexample
32275
32276 For more information on these expressions, see
32277 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
32278
32279 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
32280 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
32281 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
32282 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
32283 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
32284
32285 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
32286 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
32287 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
32288 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
32289 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
32290 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
32291 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
32292 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
32293 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
32294
32295 @kindex maint set profile
32296 @kindex maint show profile
32297 @cindex profiling GDB
32298 @item maint set profile
32299 @itemx maint show profile
32300 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
32301
32302 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
32303 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
32304 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
32305 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
32306 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
32307 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
32308 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
32309
32310 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
32311 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
32312
32313 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
32314 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
32315 @cindex hardware debug registers
32316 @item maint set show-debug-regs
32317 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
32318 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
32319 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
32320 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
32321 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
32322 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
32323
32324 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
32325 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
32326 @item maint set show-all-tib
32327 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
32328 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
32329 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
32330 command.
32331
32332 @kindex maint space
32333 @cindex memory used by commands
32334 @item maint space
32335 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
32336 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
32337 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
32338 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
32339 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
32340
32341 @kindex maint time
32342 @cindex time of command execution
32343 @item maint time
32344 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
32345 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
32346 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
32347 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
32348 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
32349 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
32350 it's not possibly currently
32351 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
32352 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
32353
32354 @kindex maint translate-address
32355 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
32356 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
32357 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
32358 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
32359 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
32360 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
32361 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
32362
32363 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
32364 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
32365 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
32366
32367 @end table
32368
32369 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
32370 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
32371
32372 @table @code
32373 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
32374 @kindex set watchdog
32375 @cindex watchdog timer
32376 @cindex timeout for commands
32377 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
32378 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
32379 reports and error and the command is aborted.
32380
32381 @item show watchdog
32382 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
32383 @end table
32384
32385 @node Remote Protocol
32386 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
32387
32388 @menu
32389 * Overview::
32390 * Packets::
32391 * Stop Reply Packets::
32392 * General Query Packets::
32393 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
32394 * Tracepoint Packets::
32395 * Host I/O Packets::
32396 * Interrupts::
32397 * Notification Packets::
32398 * Remote Non-Stop::
32399 * Packet Acknowledgment::
32400 * Examples::
32401 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
32402 * Library List Format::
32403 * Memory Map Format::
32404 * Thread List Format::
32405 * Traceframe Info Format::
32406 @end menu
32407
32408 @node Overview
32409 @section Overview
32410
32411 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
32412 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
32413 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
32414 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
32415
32416 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
32417 transmitted and received data, respectively.
32418
32419 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
32420 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
32421 @cindex remote serial protocol
32422 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
32423 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
32424 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
32425 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
32426 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
32427
32428 @smallexample
32429 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
32430 @end smallexample
32431 @noindent
32432
32433 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
32434 @noindent
32435 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
32436 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
32437 eight bit unsigned checksum).
32438
32439 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
32440 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
32441
32442 @smallexample
32443 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
32444 @end smallexample
32445
32446 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
32447 @noindent
32448 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
32449 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
32450 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
32451
32452 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
32453 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
32454 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
32455 retransmission):
32456
32457 @smallexample
32458 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
32459 <- @code{+}
32460 @end smallexample
32461 @noindent
32462
32463 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
32464 once a connection is established.
32465 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
32466
32467 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
32468 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
32469 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
32470 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
32471 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
32472 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
32473 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
32474
32475 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
32476 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
32477 exceptions).
32478
32479 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
32480 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
32481 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
32482 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
32483
32484 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
32485 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
32486 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
32487
32488 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
32489 @anchor{Binary Data}
32490 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
32491 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
32492 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
32493 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
32494 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
32495 binary data.
32496
32497 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
32498 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
32499 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
32500 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
32501 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
32502 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
32503 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
32504 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
32505 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
32506 (described next).
32507
32508 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
32509 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
32510 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
32511 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
32512 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
32513 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
32514 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
32515 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
32516 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
32517 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
32518 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
32519 3}} more times.
32520
32521 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
32522 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
32523 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
32524 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
32525 @samp{0*"00}.
32526
32527 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
32528 error number. That number is not well defined.
32529
32530 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
32531 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
32532 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
32533 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
32534 on that response.
32535
32536 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
32537 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
32538 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
32539 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
32540 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
32541 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
32542
32543 @node Packets
32544 @section Packets
32545
32546 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
32547 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
32548 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
32549 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
32550
32551 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
32552 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
32553 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
32554 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
32555 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
32556 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
32557 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
32558 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
32559 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
32560 @var{baz}.
32561
32562 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
32563 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
32564 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
32565 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
32566 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
32567 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
32568 pick any thread.
32569
32570 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
32571 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
32572 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
32573 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
32574 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
32575 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
32576 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
32577 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
32578 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
32579 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
32580 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
32581 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
32582 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
32583
32584 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
32585 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
32586 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
32587 more information.
32588
32589 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
32590 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
32591
32592 Here are the packet descriptions.
32593
32594 @table @samp
32595
32596 @item !
32597 @cindex @samp{!} packet
32598 @anchor{extended mode}
32599 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
32600 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
32601 debugged.
32602
32603 Reply:
32604 @table @samp
32605 @item OK
32606 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
32607 @end table
32608
32609 @item ?
32610 @cindex @samp{?} packet
32611 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
32612 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
32613 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
32614
32615 Reply:
32616 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32617
32618 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
32619 @cindex @samp{A} packet
32620 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
32621 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
32622 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
32623
32624 Reply:
32625 @table @samp
32626 @item OK
32627 The arguments were set.
32628 @item E @var{NN}
32629 An error occurred.
32630 @end table
32631
32632 @item b @var{baud}
32633 @cindex @samp{b} packet
32634 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
32635 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
32636
32637 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
32638 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
32639 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
32640
32641 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
32642 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
32643 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
32644 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
32645 of view, nothing actually happened.}
32646
32647 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
32648 @cindex @samp{B} packet
32649 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
32650 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
32651
32652 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
32653 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
32654
32655 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
32656 @anchor{bc}
32657 @item bc
32658 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
32659 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
32660
32661 Reply:
32662 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32663
32664 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
32665 @anchor{bs}
32666 @item bs
32667 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
32668 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
32669
32670 Reply:
32671 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32672
32673 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
32674 @cindex @samp{c} packet
32675 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
32676 resume at current address.
32677
32678 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
32679 packet}.
32680
32681 Reply:
32682 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32683
32684 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
32685 @cindex @samp{C} packet
32686 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
32687 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
32688
32689 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
32690 packet}.
32691
32692 Reply:
32693 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32694
32695 @item d
32696 @cindex @samp{d} packet
32697 Toggle debug flag.
32698
32699 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
32700 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
32701
32702 @item D
32703 @itemx D;@var{pid}
32704 @cindex @samp{D} packet
32705 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
32706 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
32707 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
32708
32709 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
32710 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
32711 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
32712 big-endian hex string.
32713
32714 Reply:
32715 @table @samp
32716 @item OK
32717 for success
32718 @item E @var{NN}
32719 for an error
32720 @end table
32721
32722 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
32723 @cindex @samp{F} packet
32724 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
32725 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
32726 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
32727
32728 @item g
32729 @anchor{read registers packet}
32730 @cindex @samp{g} packet
32731 Read general registers.
32732
32733 Reply:
32734 @table @samp
32735 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
32736 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
32737 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
32738 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
32739 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
32740 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
32741 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
32742
32743 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
32744 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
32745 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
32746 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
32747 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
32748 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
32749 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
32750 have been collected, and both have zero value:
32751
32752 @smallexample
32753 -> @code{g}
32754 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
32755 @end smallexample
32756
32757 @item E @var{NN}
32758 for an error.
32759 @end table
32760
32761 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
32762 @cindex @samp{G} packet
32763 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
32764 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
32765
32766 Reply:
32767 @table @samp
32768 @item OK
32769 for success
32770 @item E @var{NN}
32771 for an error
32772 @end table
32773
32774 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
32775 @cindex @samp{H} packet
32776 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
32777 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
32778 it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
32779 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
32780 option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
32781 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
32782 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32783
32784 Reply:
32785 @table @samp
32786 @item OK
32787 for success
32788 @item E @var{NN}
32789 for an error
32790 @end table
32791
32792 @c FIXME: JTC:
32793 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
32794 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
32795 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
32796 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
32797 @c described. For example:
32798 @c
32799 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
32800 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
32801 @c otherwise returns current registers.
32802 @c
32803 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
32804 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
32805 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
32806
32807 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
32808 @anchor{cycle step packet}
32809 @cindex @samp{i} packet
32810 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
32811 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
32812 step starting at that address.
32813
32814 @item I
32815 @cindex @samp{I} packet
32816 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
32817 step packet}.
32818
32819 @item k
32820 @cindex @samp{k} packet
32821 Kill request.
32822
32823 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
32824 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
32825 thread?)}.
32826
32827 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
32828 @cindex @samp{m} packet
32829 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
32830 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
32831
32832 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
32833 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
32834 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
32835 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
32836 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
32837 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
32838 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
32839 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
32840
32841 Reply:
32842 @table @samp
32843 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
32844 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
32845 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
32846 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
32847 @item E @var{NN}
32848 @var{NN} is errno
32849 @end table
32850
32851 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32852 @cindex @samp{M} packet
32853 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
32854 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
32855 hexadecimal number.
32856
32857 Reply:
32858 @table @samp
32859 @item OK
32860 for success
32861 @item E @var{NN}
32862 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
32863 written).
32864 @end table
32865
32866 @item p @var{n}
32867 @cindex @samp{p} packet
32868 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
32869 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
32870 register value is encoded.
32871
32872 Reply:
32873 @table @samp
32874 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
32875 the register's value
32876 @item E @var{NN}
32877 for an error
32878 @item
32879 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
32880 @end table
32881
32882 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
32883 @anchor{write register packet}
32884 @cindex @samp{P} packet
32885 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
32886 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
32887 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
32888
32889 Reply:
32890 @table @samp
32891 @item OK
32892 for success
32893 @item E @var{NN}
32894 for an error
32895 @end table
32896
32897 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
32898 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
32899 @cindex @samp{q} packet
32900 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
32901 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
32902 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
32903
32904 @item r
32905 @cindex @samp{r} packet
32906 Reset the entire system.
32907
32908 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
32909
32910 @item R @var{XX}
32911 @cindex @samp{R} packet
32912 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
32913 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32914
32915 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
32916
32917 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
32918 @cindex @samp{s} packet
32919 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
32920 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
32921
32922 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
32923 packet}.
32924
32925 Reply:
32926 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32927
32928 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
32929 @anchor{step with signal packet}
32930 @cindex @samp{S} packet
32931 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
32932 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
32933
32934 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
32935 packet}.
32936
32937 Reply:
32938 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32939
32940 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
32941 @cindex @samp{t} packet
32942 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
32943 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
32944 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
32945
32946 @item T @var{thread-id}
32947 @cindex @samp{T} packet
32948 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
32949
32950 Reply:
32951 @table @samp
32952 @item OK
32953 thread is still alive
32954 @item E @var{NN}
32955 thread is dead
32956 @end table
32957
32958 @item v
32959 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
32960 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
32961
32962 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
32963 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
32964 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
32965 The process ID is a
32966 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
32967 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
32968 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
32969
32970 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
32971 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
32972 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
32973 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
32974 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
32975 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
32976 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
32977 @c stopping or restarting threads.
32978
32979 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32980
32981 Reply:
32982 @table @samp
32983 @item E @var{nn}
32984 for an error
32985 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32986 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32987 @item OK
32988 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
32989 @end table
32990
32991 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
32992 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
32993 @anchor{vCont packet}
32994 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
32995 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
32996 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
32997 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
32998 in their current state in non-stop mode.
32999 Specifying multiple
33000 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
33001 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
33002
33003 Currently supported actions are:
33004
33005 @table @samp
33006 @item c
33007 Continue.
33008 @item C @var{sig}
33009 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
33010 @item s
33011 Step.
33012 @item S @var{sig}
33013 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
33014 @item t
33015 Stop.
33016 @end table
33017
33018 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
33019 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
33020 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
33021
33022 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
33023 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
33024 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
33025 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
33026 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
33027 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
33028 as an implementation detail.
33029
33030 Reply:
33031 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
33032
33033 @item vCont?
33034 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
33035 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
33036
33037 Reply:
33038 @table @samp
33039 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
33040 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
33041 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
33042 @item
33043 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
33044 @end table
33045
33046 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
33047 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
33048 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
33049 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
33050
33051 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
33052 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
33053 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
33054 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
33055 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
33056 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
33057 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
33058 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
33059 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
33060 packet is received.
33061
33062 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
33063 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
33064 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
33065 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
33066 @var{thread-id}.
33067
33068 Reply:
33069 @table @samp
33070 @item OK
33071 for success
33072 @item E @var{NN}
33073 for an error
33074 @end table
33075
33076 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
33077 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
33078 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
33079 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
33080 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
33081 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
33082 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
33083 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
33084 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
33085 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
33086 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
33087 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
33088
33089
33090 Reply:
33091 @table @samp
33092 @item OK
33093 for success
33094 @item E.memtype
33095 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
33096 @item E @var{NN}
33097 for an error
33098 @end table
33099
33100 @item vFlashDone
33101 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
33102 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
33103 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
33104 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
33105 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
33106 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
33107 request is completed.
33108
33109 @item vKill;@var{pid}
33110 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
33111 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
33112 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
33113 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
33114 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
33115
33116 Reply:
33117 @table @samp
33118 @item E @var{nn}
33119 for an error
33120 @item OK
33121 for success
33122 @end table
33123
33124 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
33125 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
33126 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
33127 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
33128 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
33129 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
33130 state.
33131
33132 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
33133
33134 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
33135
33136 Reply:
33137 @table @samp
33138 @item E @var{nn}
33139 for an error
33140 @item @r{Any stop packet}
33141 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
33142 @end table
33143
33144 @item vStopped
33145 @anchor{vStopped packet}
33146 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
33147
33148 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
33149 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
33150
33151 Reply:
33152 @table @samp
33153 @item @r{Any stop packet}
33154 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
33155 @item OK
33156 if there are no unreported stop events
33157 @end table
33158
33159 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
33160 @anchor{X packet}
33161 @cindex @samp{X} packet
33162 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
33163 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
33164 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
33165
33166 Reply:
33167 @table @samp
33168 @item OK
33169 for success
33170 @item E @var{NN}
33171 for an error
33172 @end table
33173
33174 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
33175 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
33176 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
33177 @cindex @samp{z} packet
33178 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
33179 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
33180 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
33181
33182 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
33183 separately.
33184
33185 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
33186 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
33187 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
33188 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
33189 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
33190 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
33191
33192 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33193 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33194 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
33195 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
33196 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
33197 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
33198
33199 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
33200 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
33201 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
33202 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
33203 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
33204 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
33205 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
33206
33207 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
33208 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
33209 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
33210 target, is not defined.}
33211
33212 Reply:
33213 @table @samp
33214 @item OK
33215 success
33216 @item
33217 not supported
33218 @item E @var{NN}
33219 for an error
33220 @end table
33221
33222 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33223 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33224 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
33225 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
33226 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
33227 address @var{addr}.
33228
33229 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
33230 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
33231 has the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
33232
33233 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
33234 movement.}
33235
33236 Reply:
33237 @table @samp
33238 @item OK
33239 success
33240 @item
33241 not supported
33242 @item E @var{NN}
33243 for an error
33244 @end table
33245
33246 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33247 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33248 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
33249 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
33250 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
33251 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
33252
33253 Reply:
33254 @table @samp
33255 @item OK
33256 success
33257 @item
33258 not supported
33259 @item E @var{NN}
33260 for an error
33261 @end table
33262
33263 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33264 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33265 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
33266 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
33267 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
33268 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
33269
33270 Reply:
33271 @table @samp
33272 @item OK
33273 success
33274 @item
33275 not supported
33276 @item E @var{NN}
33277 for an error
33278 @end table
33279
33280 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33281 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33282 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
33283 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
33284 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
33285 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
33286
33287 Reply:
33288 @table @samp
33289 @item OK
33290 success
33291 @item
33292 not supported
33293 @item E @var{NN}
33294 for an error
33295 @end table
33296
33297 @end table
33298
33299 @node Stop Reply Packets
33300 @section Stop Reply Packets
33301 @cindex stop reply packets
33302
33303 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
33304 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
33305 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
33306 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
33307 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
33308 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
33309 @value{GDBN} source code.
33310
33311 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
33312 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
33313 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
33314 components.
33315
33316 @table @samp
33317
33318 @item S @var{AA}
33319 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
33320 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
33321 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
33322
33323 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
33324 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
33325 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
33326 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
33327 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
33328 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
33329 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
33330 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
33331
33332 @itemize @bullet
33333 @item
33334 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
33335 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
33336 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
33337 two-digit hex number.
33338
33339 @item
33340 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
33341 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
33342
33343 @item
33344 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
33345 the core on which the stop event was detected.
33346
33347 @item
33348 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
33349 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
33350 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
33351 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
33352
33353 @item
33354 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
33355 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
33356 future.
33357 @end itemize
33358
33359 The currently defined stop reasons are:
33360
33361 @table @samp
33362 @item watch
33363 @itemx rwatch
33364 @itemx awatch
33365 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
33366 hex.
33367
33368 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
33369 @item library
33370 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
33371 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
33372 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
33373
33374 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
33375 @item replaylog
33376 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
33377 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
33378 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
33379 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
33380 for more information.
33381 @end table
33382
33383 @item W @var{AA}
33384 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
33385 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
33386 applicable to certain targets.
33387
33388 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
33389 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
33390 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
33391 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
33392
33393 @item X @var{AA}
33394 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
33395 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
33396
33397 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
33398 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
33399 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
33400 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
33401
33402 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
33403 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
33404 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
33405 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
33406 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
33407
33408 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
33409 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
33410 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
33411 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
33412 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
33413 system calls.
33414
33415 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
33416 this very system call.
33417
33418 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
33419 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
33420 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
33421 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
33422 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
33423 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
33424
33425 @end table
33426
33427 @node General Query Packets
33428 @section General Query Packets
33429 @cindex remote query requests
33430
33431 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
33432 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
33433 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
33434 sending information to and from the stub.
33435
33436 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
33437 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
33438 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
33439 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
33440 conventions:
33441
33442 @itemize @bullet
33443 @item
33444 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
33445 @item
33446 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
33447 letter.
33448 @item
33449 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
33450 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
33451 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
33452 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
33453 @end itemize
33454
33455 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
33456 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
33457 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
33458 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
33459 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
33460 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
33461 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
33462 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
33463 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
33464 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
33465 packet.}.
33466
33467 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
33468 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
33469 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
33470 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
33471 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
33472
33473 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
33474
33475 @table @samp
33476
33477 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
33478 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
33479 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
33480 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
33481 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
33482 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
33483 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
33484 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
33485 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
33486 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
33487 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
33488
33489 @item qC
33490 @cindex current thread, remote request
33491 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
33492 Return the current thread ID.
33493
33494 Reply:
33495 @table @samp
33496 @item QC @var{thread-id}
33497 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
33498 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
33499 @item @r{(anything else)}
33500 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
33501 @end table
33502
33503 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
33504 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
33505 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
33506 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
33507 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
33508 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
33509 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
33510
33511 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
33512 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
33513 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
33514 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
33515 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
33516 detect trailing zeros.
33517
33518 Reply:
33519 @table @samp
33520 @item E @var{NN}
33521 An error (such as memory fault)
33522 @item C @var{crc32}
33523 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
33524 @end table
33525
33526 @item qfThreadInfo
33527 @itemx qsThreadInfo
33528 @cindex list active threads, remote request
33529 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
33530 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
33531 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
33532 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
33533 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
33534 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
33535 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
33536 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
33537
33538 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
33539
33540 Reply:
33541 @table @samp
33542 @item m @var{thread-id}
33543 A single thread ID
33544 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
33545 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
33546 @item l
33547 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
33548 @end table
33549
33550 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
33551 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
33552 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
33553 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
33554 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
33555 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
33556 fields.
33557
33558 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
33559 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
33560 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
33561 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
33562 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
33563
33564 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
33565 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
33566
33567 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
33568 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
33569 information associated with the variable.)
33570
33571 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
33572 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
33573 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
33574 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
33575 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
33576 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
33577
33578 Reply:
33579 @table @samp
33580 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
33581 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
33582 local storage requested.
33583
33584 @item E @var{nn}
33585 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33586
33587 @item
33588 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
33589 @end table
33590
33591 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
33592 @cindex get thread information block address
33593 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
33594 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
33595
33596 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
33597
33598 Reply:
33599 @table @samp
33600 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
33601 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
33602 thread information block.
33603
33604 @item E @var{nn}
33605 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
33606 address could not be retrieved.
33607
33608 @item
33609 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
33610 @end table
33611
33612 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
33613 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
33614 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
33615 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
33616 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
33617 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
33618 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
33619
33620 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
33621
33622 Reply:
33623 @table @samp
33624 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
33625 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
33626 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
33627 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
33628 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
33629 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
33630 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
33631 @end table
33632
33633 @item qOffsets
33634 @cindex section offsets, remote request
33635 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
33636 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
33637 image.
33638
33639 Reply:
33640 @table @samp
33641 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
33642 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
33643 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
33644 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
33645 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
33646 segments by the supplied offsets.
33647
33648 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
33649 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
33650 to the @code{Bss} section.}
33651
33652 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
33653 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
33654 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
33655 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
33656 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
33657 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
33658 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
33659 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
33660 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
33661 @end table
33662
33663 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
33664 @cindex thread information, remote request
33665 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
33666 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
33667 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
33668 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
33669
33670 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
33671 (see below).
33672
33673 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
33674
33675 @item QNonStop:1
33676 @item QNonStop:0
33677 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
33678 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
33679 @anchor{QNonStop}
33680 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
33681 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
33682
33683 Reply:
33684 @table @samp
33685 @item OK
33686 The request succeeded.
33687
33688 @item E @var{nn}
33689 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33690
33691 @item
33692 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
33693 the stub.
33694 @end table
33695
33696 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33697 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33698 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
33699 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
33700
33701 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
33702 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
33703 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
33704 @anchor{QPassSignals}
33705 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
33706 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
33707 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
33708 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
33709 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
33710 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
33711 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
33712 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
33713 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
33714
33715 Reply:
33716 @table @samp
33717 @item OK
33718 The request succeeded.
33719
33720 @item E @var{nn}
33721 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33722
33723 @item
33724 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
33725 the stub.
33726 @end table
33727
33728 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
33729 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
33730 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33731 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33732
33733 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
33734 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
33735 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
33736 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
33737 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
33738 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
33739 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
33740 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
33741 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
33742
33743 Reply:
33744 @table @samp
33745 @item OK
33746 A command response with no output.
33747 @item @var{OUTPUT}
33748 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
33749 @item E @var{NN}
33750 Indicate a badly formed request.
33751 @item
33752 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
33753 @end table
33754
33755 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
33756 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
33757 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
33758 packets.)
33759
33760 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
33761 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
33762 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
33763 @anchor{qSearch memory}
33764 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
33765 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
33766 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
33767
33768 Reply:
33769 @table @samp
33770 @item 0
33771 The pattern was not found.
33772 @item 1,address
33773 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
33774 @item E @var{NN}
33775 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
33776 @item
33777 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
33778 @end table
33779
33780 @item QStartNoAckMode
33781 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
33782 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
33783 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
33784 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
33785
33786 Reply:
33787 @table @samp
33788 @item OK
33789 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
33790 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
33791 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
33792 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
33793 @item
33794 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
33795 @end table
33796
33797 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
33798 @cindex supported packets, remote query
33799 @cindex features of the remote protocol
33800 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
33801 @anchor{qSupported}
33802 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
33803 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
33804 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
33805 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
33806 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
33807 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
33808 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
33809 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
33810 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
33811 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
33812 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
33813 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
33814 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
33815 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
33816
33817 Reply:
33818 @table @samp
33819 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
33820 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
33821 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
33822 possible forms).
33823 @item
33824 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
33825 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
33826 @end table
33827
33828 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
33829 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
33830 are:
33831
33832 @table @samp
33833 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
33834 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
33835 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
33836 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
33837 @item @var{name}+
33838 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
33839 need an associated value.
33840 @item @var{name}-
33841 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
33842 @item @var{name}?
33843 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
33844 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
33845 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
33846 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
33847 @end table
33848
33849 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
33850 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
33851 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
33852 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
33853 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
33854
33855 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
33856 are defined:
33857
33858 @table @samp
33859 @item multiprocess
33860 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
33861 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
33862 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
33863 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
33864 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
33865
33866 @item xmlRegisters
33867 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
33868 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
33869 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
33870 description.
33871
33872 @item qRelocInsn
33873 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
33874 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
33875 instruction reply packet}).
33876 @end table
33877
33878 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
33879 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
33880 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
33881 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
33882 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
33883 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
33884 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
33885 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
33886 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
33887 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
33888 all the features it supports.
33889
33890 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
33891 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
33892
33893 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
33894 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
33895 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
33896 form response.
33897
33898 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
33899 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
33900 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
33901 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
33902
33903 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
33904 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
33905 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
33906 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
33907 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
33908
33909 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
33910
33911 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
33912 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
33913 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
33914 @item Feature Name
33915 @tab Value Required
33916 @tab Default
33917 @tab Probe Allowed
33918
33919 @item @samp{PacketSize}
33920 @tab Yes
33921 @tab @samp{-}
33922 @tab No
33923
33924 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
33925 @tab No
33926 @tab @samp{-}
33927 @tab Yes
33928
33929 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
33930 @tab No
33931 @tab @samp{-}
33932 @tab Yes
33933
33934 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
33935 @tab No
33936 @tab @samp{-}
33937 @tab Yes
33938
33939 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
33940 @tab No
33941 @tab @samp{-}
33942 @tab Yes
33943
33944 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
33945 @tab No
33946 @tab @samp{-}
33947 @tab Yes
33948
33949 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
33950 @tab No
33951 @tab @samp{-}
33952 @tab Yes
33953
33954 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
33955 @tab No
33956 @tab @samp{-}
33957 @tab Yes
33958
33959 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
33960 @tab No
33961 @tab @samp{-}
33962 @tab Yes
33963
33964 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
33965 @tab No
33966 @tab @samp{-}
33967 @tab Yes
33968
33969 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
33970 @tab No
33971 @tab @samp{-}
33972 @tab Yes
33973
33974 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
33975 @tab No
33976 @tab @samp{-}
33977 @tab Yes
33978
33979 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
33980 @tab No
33981 @tab @samp{-}
33982 @tab Yes
33983
33984 @item @samp{QNonStop}
33985 @tab No
33986 @tab @samp{-}
33987 @tab Yes
33988
33989 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
33990 @tab No
33991 @tab @samp{-}
33992 @tab Yes
33993
33994 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
33995 @tab No
33996 @tab @samp{-}
33997 @tab Yes
33998
33999 @item @samp{multiprocess}
34000 @tab No
34001 @tab @samp{-}
34002 @tab No
34003
34004 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
34005 @tab No
34006 @tab @samp{-}
34007 @tab No
34008
34009 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
34010 @tab No
34011 @tab @samp{-}
34012 @tab No
34013
34014 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
34015 @tab No
34016 @tab @samp{-}
34017 @tab No
34018
34019 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
34020 @tab No
34021 @tab @samp{-}
34022 @tab No
34023
34024 @item @samp{QAllow}
34025 @tab No
34026 @tab @samp{-}
34027 @tab No
34028
34029 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
34030 @tab No
34031 @tab @samp{-}
34032 @tab No
34033
34034 @end multitable
34035
34036 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
34037
34038 @table @samp
34039 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
34040 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
34041 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
34042 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
34043 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
34044 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
34045 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
34046 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
34047 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
34048 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
34049
34050 @item qXfer:auxv:read
34051 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
34052 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
34053
34054 @item qXfer:features:read
34055 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
34056 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
34057
34058 @item qXfer:libraries:read
34059 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
34060 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
34061
34062 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
34063 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
34064 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
34065
34066 @item qXfer:sdata:read
34067 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
34068 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
34069
34070 @item qXfer:spu:read
34071 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
34072 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
34073
34074 @item qXfer:spu:write
34075 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
34076 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
34077
34078 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
34079 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
34080 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
34081
34082 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
34083 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
34084 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
34085
34086 @item qXfer:threads:read
34087 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
34088 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
34089
34090 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
34091 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
34092 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
34093
34094 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
34095 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
34096 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
34097
34098 @item QNonStop
34099 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
34100 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
34101
34102 @item QPassSignals
34103 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
34104 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
34105
34106 @item QStartNoAckMode
34107 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
34108 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
34109
34110 @item multiprocess
34111 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
34112 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
34113 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
34114 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
34115 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
34116 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
34117 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
34118 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
34119 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
34120 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
34121 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
34122
34123 @item qXfer:osdata:read
34124 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
34125 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
34126
34127 @item ConditionalTracepoints
34128 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
34129 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
34130
34131 @item ReverseContinue
34132 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
34133 (@pxref{bc}).
34134
34135 @item ReverseStep
34136 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
34137 (@pxref{bs}).
34138
34139 @item TracepointSource
34140 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
34141 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
34142
34143 @item QAllow
34144 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
34145
34146 @item StaticTracepoint
34147 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
34148 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
34149
34150 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
34151 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
34152 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
34153 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
34154
34155 @end table
34156
34157 @item qSymbol::
34158 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
34159 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
34160 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
34161 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
34162
34163 Reply:
34164 @table @samp
34165 @item OK
34166 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
34167 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
34168 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
34169 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
34170 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
34171 below.
34172 @end table
34173
34174 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
34175 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
34176
34177 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
34178 target has previously requested.
34179
34180 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
34181 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
34182 will be empty.
34183
34184 Reply:
34185 @table @samp
34186 @item OK
34187 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
34188 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
34189 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
34190 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
34191 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
34192 @end table
34193
34194 @item qTBuffer
34195 @item QTBuffer
34196 @item QTDisconnected
34197 @itemx QTDP
34198 @itemx QTDPsrc
34199 @itemx QTDV
34200 @itemx qTfP
34201 @itemx qTfV
34202 @itemx QTFrame
34203 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
34204
34205 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
34206 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
34207 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
34208 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
34209 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
34210 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
34211 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
34212 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
34213 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
34214 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
34215 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
34216
34217 Reply:
34218 @table @samp
34219 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
34220 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
34221 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
34222 the thread's attributes.
34223 @end table
34224
34225 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
34226 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
34227 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
34228 packets.)
34229
34230 @item QTSave
34231 @item qTsP
34232 @item qTsV
34233 @itemx QTStart
34234 @itemx QTStop
34235 @itemx QTEnable
34236 @itemx QTDisable
34237 @itemx QTinit
34238 @itemx QTro
34239 @itemx qTStatus
34240 @itemx qTV
34241 @itemx qTfSTM
34242 @itemx qTsSTM
34243 @itemx qTSTMat
34244 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
34245
34246 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
34247 @cindex read special object, remote request
34248 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
34249 @anchor{qXfer read}
34250 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
34251 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
34252 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
34253 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
34254 additional details about what data to access.
34255
34256 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
34257 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
34258 formats, listed below.
34259
34260 @table @samp
34261 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34262 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
34263 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
34264 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
34265
34266 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34267 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34268
34269 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
34270 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
34271 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
34272 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
34273 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
34274
34275 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34276 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34277
34278 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
34279 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
34280 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
34281 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
34282 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34283
34284 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
34285 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
34286 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
34287
34288 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34289 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34290
34291 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34292 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
34293 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
34294 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
34295 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34296
34297 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34298 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34299
34300 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34301 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
34302
34303 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
34304 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
34305 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
34306 Action Lists}.
34307
34308 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34309 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34310 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34311
34312 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34313 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
34314 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
34315 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
34316 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34317
34318 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34319 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34320 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34321
34322 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
34323 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
34324 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
34325 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
34326 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
34327 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
34328 in that context to be accessed.
34329
34330 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34331 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34332 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34333
34334 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34335 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
34336 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
34337 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
34338 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34339
34340 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34341 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34342
34343 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34344 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
34345
34346 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
34347 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
34348 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34349
34350 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34351 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34352
34353 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
34354 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
34355 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
34356 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
34357 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
34358
34359 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34360 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34361
34362 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34363 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
34364 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
34365 @xref{Operating System Information}.
34366
34367 @end table
34368
34369 Reply:
34370 @table @samp
34371 @item m @var{data}
34372 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
34373 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
34374 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
34375 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
34376 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
34377 request.
34378
34379 @item l @var{data}
34380 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
34381 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
34382 than the @var{length} in the request.
34383
34384 @item l
34385 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
34386 There is no more data to be read.
34387
34388 @item E00
34389 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
34390
34391 @item E @var{nn}
34392 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
34393 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
34394
34395 @item
34396 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
34397 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
34398 @end table
34399
34400 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
34401 @cindex write data into object, remote request
34402 @anchor{qXfer write}
34403 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
34404 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
34405 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
34406 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
34407 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
34408 to access.
34409
34410 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
34411 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
34412 formats, listed below.
34413
34414 @table @samp
34415 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
34416 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
34417 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
34418 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
34419 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
34420
34421 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34422 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34423 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34424
34425 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
34426 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
34427 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
34428 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
34429 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
34430 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
34431 in that context to be accessed.
34432
34433 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34434 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34435 @end table
34436
34437 Reply:
34438 @table @samp
34439 @item @var{nn}
34440 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
34441 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
34442
34443 @item E00
34444 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
34445
34446 @item E @var{nn}
34447 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
34448 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
34449
34450 @item
34451 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
34452 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
34453 @end table
34454
34455 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
34456 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
34457 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
34458 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
34459 must respond with an empty packet.
34460
34461 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
34462 @cindex query attached, remote request
34463 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
34464 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
34465 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
34466 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
34467 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
34468 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
34469 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
34470
34471 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
34472 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
34473 the @code{quit} command.
34474
34475 Reply:
34476 @table @samp
34477 @item 1
34478 The remote server attached to an existing process.
34479 @item 0
34480 The remote server created a new process.
34481 @item E @var{NN}
34482 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
34483 @end table
34484
34485 @end table
34486
34487 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
34488 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
34489
34490 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
34491 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
34492 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
34493
34494 @subsection ARM
34495
34496 @subsubsection Breakpoint Kinds
34497
34498 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
34499
34500 @table @r
34501
34502 @item 2
34503 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
34504
34505 @item 3
34506 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
34507
34508 @item 4
34509 32-bit ARM mode breakpoint.
34510
34511 @end table
34512
34513 @subsection MIPS
34514
34515 @subsubsection Register Packet Format
34516
34517 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
34518 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
34519 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
34520 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
34521 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
34522 most-significant - least-significant.
34523
34524 @table @r
34525
34526 @item MIPS32
34527
34528 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
34529 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
34530 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
34531
34532 @item MIPS64
34533
34534 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
34535 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
34536 as @code{MIPS32}.
34537
34538 @end table
34539
34540 @node Tracepoint Packets
34541 @section Tracepoint Packets
34542 @cindex tracepoint packets
34543 @cindex packets, tracepoint
34544
34545 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
34546 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
34547
34548 @table @samp
34549
34550 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
34551 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
34552 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
34553 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
34554 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
34555 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
34556 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
34557 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
34558 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
34559 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
34560 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
34561 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
34562 actions.
34563
34564 Replies:
34565 @table @samp
34566 @item OK
34567 The packet was understood and carried out.
34568 @item qRelocInsn
34569 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
34570 @item
34571 The packet was not recognized.
34572 @end table
34573
34574 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
34575 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
34576 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
34577 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
34578 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
34579 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
34580 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
34581
34582 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
34583 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
34584 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
34585 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
34586 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
34587 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
34588 tracepoint actions.
34589
34590 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
34591 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
34592 following forms:
34593
34594 @table @samp
34595
34596 @item R @var{mask}
34597 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
34598 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
34599 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
34600 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
34601 not fit in a 32-bit word.
34602
34603 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
34604 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
34605 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
34606 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
34607 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
34608 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
34609 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
34610
34611 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
34612 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
34613 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
34614 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
34615 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
34616 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
34617 packet).
34618
34619 @end table
34620
34621 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
34622 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
34623 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
34624 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
34625 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
34626 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
34627 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
34628 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
34629
34630 Replies:
34631 @table @samp
34632 @item OK
34633 The packet was understood and carried out.
34634 @item qRelocInsn
34635 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
34636 @item
34637 The packet was not recognized.
34638 @end table
34639
34640 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
34641 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
34642 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
34643 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
34644 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
34645 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
34646 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
34647 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
34648
34649 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
34650 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
34651 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
34652 fit in a single packet.
34653 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
34654 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
34655
34656 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
34657 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
34658 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
34659 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
34660
34661 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
34662 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
34663 query packets.
34664
34665 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
34666 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
34667 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
34668 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
34669 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
34670 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
34671 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
34672 be found.
34673
34674 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
34675 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
34676 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
34677 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
34678 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
34679 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
34680 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
34681 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
34682 mentioned in expressions.
34683
34684 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
34685 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
34686 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
34687 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
34688
34689 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
34690 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
34691 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
34692 one of the following forms:
34693
34694 @table @samp
34695 @item F @var{f}
34696 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
34697 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
34698 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
34699
34700 @item T @var{t}
34701 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
34702 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
34703
34704 @end table
34705
34706 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
34707 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
34708 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
34709 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
34710
34711 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
34712 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
34713 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
34714 is a hexadecimal number.
34715
34716 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
34717 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
34718 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
34719 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
34720 numbers.
34721
34722 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
34723 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
34724 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
34725
34726 @item QTStart
34727 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
34728 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
34729 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
34730 instruction reply packet}).
34731
34732 @item QTStop
34733 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
34734
34735 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
34736 @anchor{QTEnable}
34737 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
34738 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
34739 of data from it will resume.
34740
34741 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
34742 @anchor{QTDisable}
34743 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
34744 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
34745 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
34746
34747 @item QTinit
34748 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
34749
34750 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
34751 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
34752 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
34753 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
34754
34755 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
34756 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
34757 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
34758 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
34759
34760 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
34761 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
34762 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
34763 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
34764 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
34765
34766 @item qTStatus
34767 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
34768
34769 The reply has the form:
34770
34771 @table @samp
34772
34773 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
34774 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
34775 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
34776 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
34777
34778 @end table
34779
34780 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
34781 explanations as one of the optional fields:
34782
34783 @table @samp
34784
34785 @item tnotrun:0
34786 No trace has been run yet.
34787
34788 @item tstop:0
34789 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command.
34790
34791 @item tfull:0
34792 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
34793
34794 @item tdisconnected:0
34795 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
34796
34797 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
34798 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
34799
34800 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
34801 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
34802 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
34803 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
34804 @var{text} is hex encoded.
34805
34806 @item tunknown:0
34807 The trace stopped for some other reason.
34808
34809 @end table
34810
34811 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
34812 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
34813 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
34814 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
34815 trace.
34816
34817 @table @samp
34818
34819 @item tframes:@var{n}
34820 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
34821
34822 @item tcreated:@var{n}
34823 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
34824 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
34825
34826 @item tsize:@var{n}
34827 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
34828
34829 @item tfree:@var{n}
34830 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
34831
34832 @item circular:@var{n}
34833 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
34834 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
34835 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
34836 and may fill up.
34837
34838 @item disconn:@var{n}
34839 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
34840 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
34841 that the trace run will stop.
34842
34843 @end table
34844
34845 @item qTV:@var{var}
34846 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
34847 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
34848 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
34849
34850 Replies:
34851 @table @samp
34852 @item V@var{value}
34853 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
34854 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
34855 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
34856 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
34857 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
34858 program is running.
34859
34860 @item U
34861 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
34862 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
34863 was not collected.
34864 @end table
34865
34866 @item qTfP
34867 @itemx qTsP
34868 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
34869 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
34870 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
34871 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
34872 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
34873
34874 @item qTfV
34875 @itemx qTsV
34876 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
34877 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
34878 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
34879 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
34880 trace state variables.
34881
34882 @item qTfSTM
34883 @itemx qTsSTM
34884 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
34885 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
34886 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
34887 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
34888
34889 Reply:
34890 @table @samp
34891 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
34892 A single marker
34893 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
34894 a comma-separated list of markers
34895 @item l
34896 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
34897 @item E @var{nn}
34898 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
34899 @item
34900 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
34901 stub.
34902 @end table
34903
34904 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
34905 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
34906
34907 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
34908 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
34909 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
34910 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
34911 @dfn{last}).
34912
34913 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
34914 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
34915 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
34916 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
34917 tracepoint markers.
34918
34919 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
34920 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
34921 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
34922 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
34923 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
34924
34925 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
34926 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
34927 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
34928 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
34929 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
34930 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
34931 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
34932 available.
34933
34934 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
34935 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
34936 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
34937
34938 @end table
34939
34940 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
34941 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
34942 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
34943 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
34944 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
34945 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
34946 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
34947 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
34948 it had executed in the original location.
34949
34950 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
34951 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
34952 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
34953 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
34954 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
34955 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
34956 format of the request is:
34957
34958 @table @samp
34959 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
34960
34961 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
34962 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
34963 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
34964 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
34965 memory starting at @var{to}.
34966 @end table
34967
34968 Replies:
34969 @table @samp
34970 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
34971 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
34972 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
34973 @item E @var{NN}
34974 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
34975 relocating the instruction.
34976 @end table
34977
34978 @node Host I/O Packets
34979 @section Host I/O Packets
34980 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
34981 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
34982
34983 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
34984 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
34985 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
34986 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
34987 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
34988 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
34989 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
34990 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
34991 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
34992 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
34993
34994 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
34995 its arguments. They have this format:
34996
34997 @table @samp
34998
34999 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
35000 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
35001 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
35002 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
35003 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
35004 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
35005 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
35006 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
35007 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
35008
35009 @end table
35010
35011 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
35012
35013 @table @samp
35014
35015 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
35016 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
35017 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
35018 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
35019 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
35020 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
35021 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
35022 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
35023 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
35024 @var{attachment}.
35025
35026 @item
35027 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
35028
35029 @end table
35030
35031 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
35032
35033 @table @samp
35034 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
35035 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
35036 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
35037 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
35038 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
35039 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
35040 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
35041
35042 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
35043 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
35044 -1 if an error occurs.
35045
35046 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
35047 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
35048 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
35049 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
35050 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
35051 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
35052 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
35053 @var{count} was zero.
35054
35055 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
35056 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
35057 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
35058 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
35059 some characters were escaped.
35060
35061 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
35062 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
35063 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
35064 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
35065 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
35066 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
35067 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
35068 error occurred.
35069
35070 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
35071 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
35072 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
35073
35074 @end table
35075
35076 @node Interrupts
35077 @section Interrupts
35078 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
35079
35080 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
35081 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
35082 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
35083 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
35084
35085 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
35086 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
35087 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
35088 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
35089 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
35090
35091 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
35092 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
35093 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
35094 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
35095 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
35096 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
35097 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
35098 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
35099
35100 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
35101 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
35102 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
35103
35104 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
35105 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
35106 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
35107 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
35108 currently-executing threads and processes.
35109 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
35110 running program, it should send one of the stop
35111 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
35112 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
35113 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
35114 Interrupts received while the
35115 program is stopped are discarded.
35116
35117 @node Notification Packets
35118 @section Notification Packets
35119 @cindex notification packets
35120 @cindex packets, notification
35121
35122 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
35123 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
35124 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
35125 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
35126 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
35127 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
35128 is not a problem.
35129
35130 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
35131 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
35132 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
35133 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
35134 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
35135 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
35136 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
35137
35138 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
35139 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
35140
35141 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
35142 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
35143 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
35144 not they understand it.
35145
35146 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
35147 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
35148 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
35149 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
35150 recipients.
35151
35152 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
35153 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
35154 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
35155 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
35156 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
35157
35158 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
35159 defined:
35160
35161 @table @samp
35162 @item Stop: @var{reply}
35163 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
35164 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
35165 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
35166 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
35167 @value{GDBN}.
35168 @end table
35169
35170 @node Remote Non-Stop
35171 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
35172
35173 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
35174 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
35175 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
35176 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35177
35178 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
35179 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
35180 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
35181 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
35182 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
35183 probe the target state after a mode change.
35184
35185 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
35186 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
35187 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
35188 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
35189 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
35190 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
35191 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
35192 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
35193 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
35194 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
35195 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
35196
35197 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
35198 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
35199 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
35200 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
35201 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
35202 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
35203 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
35204 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
35205 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
35206 sending any queued stop events.
35207
35208 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
35209 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
35210 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
35211 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
35212 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
35213 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
35214 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
35215
35216 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
35217 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
35218 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
35219 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
35220 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
35221 process normally.
35222
35223 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
35224 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
35225 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
35226 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
35227 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
35228 should process normally.
35229
35230 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
35231 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
35232 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
35233 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
35234 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
35235
35236 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
35237 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
35238 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
35239 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
35240 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
35241 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
35242 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
35243 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
35244 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
35245 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
35246 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
35247 @samp{OK}.
35248
35249 @node Packet Acknowledgment
35250 @section Packet Acknowledgment
35251
35252 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
35253 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
35254 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
35255 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
35256 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
35257 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
35258 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
35259
35260 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
35261 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
35262 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
35263 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
35264 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
35265
35266 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
35267 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
35268 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
35269 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
35270
35271 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
35272 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
35273 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
35274 @pxref{qSupported}.
35275 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
35276 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
35277 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
35278 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
35279 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
35280 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
35281 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
35282
35283 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
35284 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
35285 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
35286 connection.
35287 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
35288 new connection is established,
35289 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
35290 for the current connection, once disabled.
35291
35292 @node Examples
35293 @section Examples
35294
35295 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
35296 does not get any direct output:
35297
35298 @smallexample
35299 -> @code{R00}
35300 <- @code{+}
35301 @emph{target restarts}
35302 -> @code{?}
35303 <- @code{+}
35304 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
35305 -> @code{+}
35306 @end smallexample
35307
35308 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
35309
35310 @smallexample
35311 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
35312 <- @code{+}
35313 -> @code{s}
35314 <- @code{+}
35315 @emph{time passes}
35316 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
35317 -> @code{+}
35318 -> @code{g}
35319 <- @code{+}
35320 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
35321 -> @code{+}
35322 @end smallexample
35323
35324 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
35325 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
35326 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
35327
35328 @menu
35329 * File-I/O Overview::
35330 * Protocol Basics::
35331 * The F Request Packet::
35332 * The F Reply Packet::
35333 * The Ctrl-C Message::
35334 * Console I/O::
35335 * List of Supported Calls::
35336 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
35337 * Constants::
35338 * File-I/O Examples::
35339 @end menu
35340
35341 @node File-I/O Overview
35342 @subsection File-I/O Overview
35343 @cindex file-i/o overview
35344
35345 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
35346 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
35347 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
35348 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
35349 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
35350 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
35351
35352 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
35353 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
35354 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
35355 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
35356 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
35357
35358 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
35359 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
35360 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
35361 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
35362 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
35363 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
35364 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
35365
35366 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
35367 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
35368 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
35369 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
35370 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
35371
35372 @smallexample
35373 (@value{GDBP}) continue
35374 <- target requests 'system call X'
35375 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
35376 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
35377 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
35378 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
35379 @end smallexample
35380
35381 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
35382 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
35383 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
35384 system are not supported by this protocol.
35385
35386 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
35387
35388 @node Protocol Basics
35389 @subsection Protocol Basics
35390 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
35391
35392 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
35393 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
35394 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
35395 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
35396 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
35397 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
35398 to call the appropriate host system call:
35399
35400 @itemize @bullet
35401 @item
35402 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
35403
35404 @item
35405 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
35406 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
35407 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
35408 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
35409
35410 @end itemize
35411
35412 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
35413
35414 @itemize @bullet
35415 @item
35416 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
35417 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
35418 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
35419 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
35420 packet.
35421
35422 @item
35423 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
35424 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
35425
35426 @item
35427 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
35428
35429 @item
35430 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
35431
35432 @item
35433 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
35434 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
35435 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
35436 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
35437 packet.
35438
35439 @end itemize
35440
35441 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
35442 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
35443
35444 @itemize @bullet
35445 @item
35446 Return value.
35447
35448 @item
35449 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
35450
35451 @item
35452 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
35453
35454 @end itemize
35455
35456 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
35457 the latest continue or step action.
35458
35459 @node The F Request Packet
35460 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
35461 @cindex file-i/o request packet
35462 @cindex @code{F} request packet
35463
35464 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
35465
35466 @table @samp
35467 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
35468
35469 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
35470 This is just the name of the function.
35471
35472 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
35473 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
35474 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
35475 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
35476 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
35477 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
35478 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
35479
35480 @end table
35481
35482
35483
35484 @node The F Reply Packet
35485 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
35486 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
35487 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
35488
35489 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
35490
35491 @table @samp
35492
35493 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
35494
35495 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
35496
35497 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
35498 representation.
35499 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
35500
35501 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
35502 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
35503 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
35504
35505 @smallexample
35506 F0,0,C
35507 @end smallexample
35508
35509 @noindent
35510 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
35511
35512 @smallexample
35513 F-1,4,C
35514 @end smallexample
35515
35516 @noindent
35517 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
35518
35519 @end table
35520
35521
35522 @node The Ctrl-C Message
35523 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
35524 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
35525
35526 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
35527 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
35528 the target should behave as if it had
35529 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
35530 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
35531 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
35532 packet.
35533
35534 It's important for the target to know in which
35535 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
35536
35537 @itemize @bullet
35538 @item
35539 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
35540
35541 @item
35542 The system call on the host has been finished.
35543
35544 @end itemize
35545
35546 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
35547 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
35548 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
35549 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
35550 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
35551 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
35552
35553 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
35554 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
35555 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
35556 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
35557 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
35558 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
35559 or the full action has been completed.
35560
35561 @node Console I/O
35562 @subsection Console I/O
35563 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
35564
35565 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
35566 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
35567 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
35568 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
35569 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
35570 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
35571 conditions is met:
35572
35573 @itemize @bullet
35574 @item
35575 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
35576 @code{read}
35577 system call is treated as finished.
35578
35579 @item
35580 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
35581 newline.
35582
35583 @item
35584 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
35585 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
35586
35587 @end itemize
35588
35589 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
35590 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
35591 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
35592 is stopped at the user's request.
35593
35594
35595 @node List of Supported Calls
35596 @subsection List of Supported Calls
35597 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
35598
35599 @menu
35600 * open::
35601 * close::
35602 * read::
35603 * write::
35604 * lseek::
35605 * rename::
35606 * unlink::
35607 * stat/fstat::
35608 * gettimeofday::
35609 * isatty::
35610 * system::
35611 @end menu
35612
35613 @node open
35614 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
35615 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
35616
35617 @table @asis
35618 @item Synopsis:
35619 @smallexample
35620 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
35621 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
35622 @end smallexample
35623
35624 @item Request:
35625 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
35626
35627 @noindent
35628 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
35629
35630 @table @code
35631 @item O_CREAT
35632 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
35633 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
35634 are concerned.
35635
35636 @item O_EXCL
35637 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
35638 an error and open() fails.
35639
35640 @item O_TRUNC
35641 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
35642 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
35643 truncated to zero length.
35644
35645 @item O_APPEND
35646 The file is opened in append mode.
35647
35648 @item O_RDONLY
35649 The file is opened for reading only.
35650
35651 @item O_WRONLY
35652 The file is opened for writing only.
35653
35654 @item O_RDWR
35655 The file is opened for reading and writing.
35656 @end table
35657
35658 @noindent
35659 Other bits are silently ignored.
35660
35661
35662 @noindent
35663 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
35664
35665 @table @code
35666 @item S_IRUSR
35667 User has read permission.
35668
35669 @item S_IWUSR
35670 User has write permission.
35671
35672 @item S_IRGRP
35673 Group has read permission.
35674
35675 @item S_IWGRP
35676 Group has write permission.
35677
35678 @item S_IROTH
35679 Others have read permission.
35680
35681 @item S_IWOTH
35682 Others have write permission.
35683 @end table
35684
35685 @noindent
35686 Other bits are silently ignored.
35687
35688
35689 @item Return value:
35690 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
35691 occurred.
35692
35693 @item Errors:
35694
35695 @table @code
35696 @item EEXIST
35697 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
35698
35699 @item EISDIR
35700 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
35701
35702 @item EACCES
35703 The requested access is not allowed.
35704
35705 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35706 @var{pathname} was too long.
35707
35708 @item ENOENT
35709 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
35710
35711 @item ENODEV
35712 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
35713
35714 @item EROFS
35715 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
35716 write access was requested.
35717
35718 @item EFAULT
35719 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
35720
35721 @item ENOSPC
35722 No space on device to create the file.
35723
35724 @item EMFILE
35725 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
35726
35727 @item ENFILE
35728 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
35729 has been reached.
35730
35731 @item EINTR
35732 The call was interrupted by the user.
35733 @end table
35734
35735 @end table
35736
35737 @node close
35738 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
35739 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
35740
35741 @table @asis
35742 @item Synopsis:
35743 @smallexample
35744 int close(int fd);
35745 @end smallexample
35746
35747 @item Request:
35748 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
35749
35750 @item Return value:
35751 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
35752
35753 @item Errors:
35754
35755 @table @code
35756 @item EBADF
35757 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
35758
35759 @item EINTR
35760 The call was interrupted by the user.
35761 @end table
35762
35763 @end table
35764
35765 @node read
35766 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
35767 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
35768
35769 @table @asis
35770 @item Synopsis:
35771 @smallexample
35772 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
35773 @end smallexample
35774
35775 @item Request:
35776 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
35777
35778 @item Return value:
35779 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
35780 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
35781 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
35782
35783 @item Errors:
35784
35785 @table @code
35786 @item EBADF
35787 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
35788 reading.
35789
35790 @item EFAULT
35791 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35792
35793 @item EINTR
35794 The call was interrupted by the user.
35795 @end table
35796
35797 @end table
35798
35799 @node write
35800 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
35801 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
35802
35803 @table @asis
35804 @item Synopsis:
35805 @smallexample
35806 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
35807 @end smallexample
35808
35809 @item Request:
35810 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
35811
35812 @item Return value:
35813 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
35814 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
35815 is returned.
35816
35817 @item Errors:
35818
35819 @table @code
35820 @item EBADF
35821 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
35822 writing.
35823
35824 @item EFAULT
35825 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35826
35827 @item EFBIG
35828 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
35829 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
35830
35831 @item ENOSPC
35832 No space on device to write the data.
35833
35834 @item EINTR
35835 The call was interrupted by the user.
35836 @end table
35837
35838 @end table
35839
35840 @node lseek
35841 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
35842 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
35843
35844 @table @asis
35845 @item Synopsis:
35846 @smallexample
35847 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
35848 @end smallexample
35849
35850 @item Request:
35851 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
35852
35853 @var{flag} is one of:
35854
35855 @table @code
35856 @item SEEK_SET
35857 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
35858
35859 @item SEEK_CUR
35860 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
35861 bytes.
35862
35863 @item SEEK_END
35864 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
35865 bytes.
35866 @end table
35867
35868 @item Return value:
35869 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
35870 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
35871 value of -1 is returned.
35872
35873 @item Errors:
35874
35875 @table @code
35876 @item EBADF
35877 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
35878
35879 @item ESPIPE
35880 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
35881
35882 @item EINVAL
35883 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
35884
35885 @item EINTR
35886 The call was interrupted by the user.
35887 @end table
35888
35889 @end table
35890
35891 @node rename
35892 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
35893 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
35894
35895 @table @asis
35896 @item Synopsis:
35897 @smallexample
35898 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
35899 @end smallexample
35900
35901 @item Request:
35902 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
35903
35904 @item Return value:
35905 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35906
35907 @item Errors:
35908
35909 @table @code
35910 @item EISDIR
35911 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
35912 directory.
35913
35914 @item EEXIST
35915 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
35916
35917 @item EBUSY
35918 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
35919 process.
35920
35921 @item EINVAL
35922 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
35923 of itself.
35924
35925 @item ENOTDIR
35926 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
35927 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
35928 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
35929
35930 @item EFAULT
35931 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
35932
35933 @item EACCES
35934 No access to the file or the path of the file.
35935
35936 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35937
35938 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
35939
35940 @item ENOENT
35941 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
35942
35943 @item EROFS
35944 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
35945
35946 @item ENOSPC
35947 The device containing the file has no room for the new
35948 directory entry.
35949
35950 @item EINTR
35951 The call was interrupted by the user.
35952 @end table
35953
35954 @end table
35955
35956 @node unlink
35957 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
35958 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
35959
35960 @table @asis
35961 @item Synopsis:
35962 @smallexample
35963 int unlink(const char *pathname);
35964 @end smallexample
35965
35966 @item Request:
35967 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
35968
35969 @item Return value:
35970 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35971
35972 @item Errors:
35973
35974 @table @code
35975 @item EACCES
35976 No access to the file or the path of the file.
35977
35978 @item EPERM
35979 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
35980
35981 @item EBUSY
35982 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
35983 being used by another process.
35984
35985 @item EFAULT
35986 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35987
35988 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35989 @var{pathname} was too long.
35990
35991 @item ENOENT
35992 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
35993
35994 @item ENOTDIR
35995 A component of the path is not a directory.
35996
35997 @item EROFS
35998 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
35999
36000 @item EINTR
36001 The call was interrupted by the user.
36002 @end table
36003
36004 @end table
36005
36006 @node stat/fstat
36007 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
36008 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
36009 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
36010
36011 @table @asis
36012 @item Synopsis:
36013 @smallexample
36014 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
36015 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
36016 @end smallexample
36017
36018 @item Request:
36019 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
36020 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
36021
36022 @item Return value:
36023 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
36024
36025 @item Errors:
36026
36027 @table @code
36028 @item EBADF
36029 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
36030
36031 @item ENOENT
36032 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
36033 path is an empty string.
36034
36035 @item ENOTDIR
36036 A component of the path is not a directory.
36037
36038 @item EFAULT
36039 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
36040
36041 @item EACCES
36042 No access to the file or the path of the file.
36043
36044 @item ENAMETOOLONG
36045 @var{pathname} was too long.
36046
36047 @item EINTR
36048 The call was interrupted by the user.
36049 @end table
36050
36051 @end table
36052
36053 @node gettimeofday
36054 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
36055 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
36056
36057 @table @asis
36058 @item Synopsis:
36059 @smallexample
36060 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
36061 @end smallexample
36062
36063 @item Request:
36064 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
36065
36066 @item Return value:
36067 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
36068
36069 @item Errors:
36070
36071 @table @code
36072 @item EINVAL
36073 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
36074
36075 @item EFAULT
36076 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
36077 @end table
36078
36079 @end table
36080
36081 @node isatty
36082 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
36083 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
36084
36085 @table @asis
36086 @item Synopsis:
36087 @smallexample
36088 int isatty(int fd);
36089 @end smallexample
36090
36091 @item Request:
36092 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
36093
36094 @item Return value:
36095 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
36096
36097 @item Errors:
36098
36099 @table @code
36100 @item EINTR
36101 The call was interrupted by the user.
36102 @end table
36103
36104 @end table
36105
36106 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
36107 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
36108 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
36109 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
36110 needed.
36111
36112
36113 @node system
36114 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
36115 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
36116
36117 @table @asis
36118 @item Synopsis:
36119 @smallexample
36120 int system(const char *command);
36121 @end smallexample
36122
36123 @item Request:
36124 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
36125
36126 @item Return value:
36127 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
36128 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
36129 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
36130 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
36131 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
36132 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
36133 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
36134
36135 @item Errors:
36136
36137 @table @code
36138 @item EINTR
36139 The call was interrupted by the user.
36140 @end table
36141
36142 @end table
36143
36144 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
36145 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
36146 the host is simplified before it's returned
36147 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
36148 is discarded, and the return value consists
36149 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
36150
36151 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
36152 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
36153 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
36154
36155 @table @code
36156 @item set remote system-call-allowed
36157 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
36158 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
36159 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
36160
36161 @item show remote system-call-allowed
36162 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
36163 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
36164 protocol.
36165 @end table
36166
36167 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
36168 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
36169 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
36170
36171 @menu
36172 * Integral Datatypes::
36173 * Pointer Values::
36174 * Memory Transfer::
36175 * struct stat::
36176 * struct timeval::
36177 @end menu
36178
36179 @node Integral Datatypes
36180 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
36181 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
36182
36183 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
36184 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
36185 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
36186
36187 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
36188 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
36189
36190 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
36191
36192 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
36193 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
36194
36195 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
36196
36197 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
36198 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
36199 byte order.
36200
36201 @node Pointer Values
36202 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
36203 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
36204
36205 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
36206 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
36207 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
36208 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
36209
36210 @smallexample
36211 @code{1aaf/12}
36212 @end smallexample
36213
36214 @noindent
36215 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
36216 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
36217 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
36218 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
36219
36220 @smallexample
36221 @code{123456/d}
36222 @end smallexample
36223
36224 @node Memory Transfer
36225 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
36226 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
36227
36228 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
36229 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
36230 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
36231 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
36232 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
36233 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
36234 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
36235
36236
36237 @node struct stat
36238 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
36239 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
36240
36241 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
36242 is defined as follows:
36243
36244 @smallexample
36245 struct stat @{
36246 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
36247 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
36248 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
36249 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
36250 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
36251 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
36252 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
36253 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
36254 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
36255 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
36256 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
36257 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
36258 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
36259 @};
36260 @end smallexample
36261
36262 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
36263 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
36264 structure is of size 64 bytes.
36265
36266 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
36267 range of values.
36268
36269 @table @code
36270
36271 @item st_dev
36272 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
36273
36274 @item st_ino
36275 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
36276
36277 @item st_mode
36278 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
36279 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
36280
36281 @item st_uid
36282 @itemx st_gid
36283 @itemx st_rdev
36284 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
36285
36286 @item st_atime
36287 @itemx st_mtime
36288 @itemx st_ctime
36289 These values have a host and file system dependent
36290 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
36291 support exact timing values.
36292 @end table
36293
36294 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
36295 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
36296 continuing.
36297
36298 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
36299 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
36300 get truncated on the target.
36301
36302 @node struct timeval
36303 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
36304 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
36305
36306 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
36307 is defined as follows:
36308
36309 @smallexample
36310 struct timeval @{
36311 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
36312 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
36313 @};
36314 @end smallexample
36315
36316 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
36317 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
36318 structure is of size 8 bytes.
36319
36320 @node Constants
36321 @subsection Constants
36322 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
36323
36324 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
36325 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
36326 values before and after the call as needed.
36327
36328 @menu
36329 * Open Flags::
36330 * mode_t Values::
36331 * Errno Values::
36332 * Lseek Flags::
36333 * Limits::
36334 @end menu
36335
36336 @node Open Flags
36337 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
36338 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
36339
36340 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
36341
36342 @smallexample
36343 O_RDONLY 0x0
36344 O_WRONLY 0x1
36345 O_RDWR 0x2
36346 O_APPEND 0x8
36347 O_CREAT 0x200
36348 O_TRUNC 0x400
36349 O_EXCL 0x800
36350 @end smallexample
36351
36352 @node mode_t Values
36353 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
36354 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
36355
36356 All values are given in octal representation.
36357
36358 @smallexample
36359 S_IFREG 0100000
36360 S_IFDIR 040000
36361 S_IRUSR 0400
36362 S_IWUSR 0200
36363 S_IXUSR 0100
36364 S_IRGRP 040
36365 S_IWGRP 020
36366 S_IXGRP 010
36367 S_IROTH 04
36368 S_IWOTH 02
36369 S_IXOTH 01
36370 @end smallexample
36371
36372 @node Errno Values
36373 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
36374 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
36375
36376 All values are given in decimal representation.
36377
36378 @smallexample
36379 EPERM 1
36380 ENOENT 2
36381 EINTR 4
36382 EBADF 9
36383 EACCES 13
36384 EFAULT 14
36385 EBUSY 16
36386 EEXIST 17
36387 ENODEV 19
36388 ENOTDIR 20
36389 EISDIR 21
36390 EINVAL 22
36391 ENFILE 23
36392 EMFILE 24
36393 EFBIG 27
36394 ENOSPC 28
36395 ESPIPE 29
36396 EROFS 30
36397 ENAMETOOLONG 91
36398 EUNKNOWN 9999
36399 @end smallexample
36400
36401 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
36402 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
36403
36404 @node Lseek Flags
36405 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
36406 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
36407
36408 @smallexample
36409 SEEK_SET 0
36410 SEEK_CUR 1
36411 SEEK_END 2
36412 @end smallexample
36413
36414 @node Limits
36415 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
36416 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
36417
36418 All values are given in decimal representation.
36419
36420 @smallexample
36421 INT_MIN -2147483648
36422 INT_MAX 2147483647
36423 UINT_MAX 4294967295
36424 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
36425 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
36426 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
36427 @end smallexample
36428
36429 @node File-I/O Examples
36430 @subsection File-I/O Examples
36431 @cindex file-i/o examples
36432
36433 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
36434 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
36435
36436 @smallexample
36437 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
36438 @emph{request memory read from target}
36439 -> @code{m1234,6}
36440 <- XXXXXX
36441 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
36442 -> @code{F6}
36443 @end smallexample
36444
36445 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
36446 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
36447
36448 @smallexample
36449 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36450 @emph{request memory write to target}
36451 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
36452 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
36453 -> @code{F6}
36454 @end smallexample
36455
36456 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
36457 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
36458
36459 @smallexample
36460 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36461 -> @code{F-1,9}
36462 @end smallexample
36463
36464 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
36465 host is called:
36466
36467 @smallexample
36468 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36469 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
36470 <- @code{T02}
36471 @end smallexample
36472
36473 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
36474 host is called:
36475
36476 @smallexample
36477 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36478 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
36479 <- @code{T02}
36480 @end smallexample
36481
36482 @node Library List Format
36483 @section Library List Format
36484 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
36485
36486 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
36487 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
36488 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
36489 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
36490 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
36491 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
36492 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
36493 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
36494 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
36495 are loaded.
36496
36497 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
36498 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
36499 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
36500 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
36501
36502 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
36503 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
36504 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
36505 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
36506 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
36507 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
36508
36509 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36510 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
36511
36512 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
36513 offset, looks like this:
36514
36515 @smallexample
36516 <library-list>
36517 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
36518 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
36519 </library>
36520 </library-list>
36521 @end smallexample
36522
36523 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
36524 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
36525
36526 @smallexample
36527 <library-list>
36528 <library name="sharedlib.o">
36529 <section address="0x10000000"/>
36530 <section address="0x20000000"/>
36531 <section address="0x30000000"/>
36532 </library>
36533 </library-list>
36534 @end smallexample
36535
36536 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
36537
36538 @smallexample
36539 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
36540 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
36541 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
36542 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
36543 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
36544 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
36545 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
36546 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
36547 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
36548 @end smallexample
36549
36550 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
36551 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
36552 section for each library.
36553
36554 @node Memory Map Format
36555 @section Memory Map Format
36556 @cindex memory map format
36557
36558 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
36559 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
36560 memory map.
36561
36562 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
36563 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
36564 lists memory regions.
36565
36566 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36567 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
36568
36569 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
36570
36571 @smallexample
36572 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36573 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
36574 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
36575 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
36576 <memory-map>
36577 region...
36578 </memory-map>
36579 @end smallexample
36580
36581 Each region can be either:
36582
36583 @itemize
36584
36585 @item
36586 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
36587 bytes from there:
36588
36589 @smallexample
36590 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
36591 @end smallexample
36592
36593
36594 @item
36595 A region of read-only memory:
36596
36597 @smallexample
36598 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
36599 @end smallexample
36600
36601
36602 @item
36603 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
36604 bytes in length:
36605
36606 @smallexample
36607 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
36608 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
36609 </memory>
36610 @end smallexample
36611
36612 @end itemize
36613
36614 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
36615 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
36616 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
36617
36618 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
36619
36620 @smallexample
36621 <!-- ................................................... -->
36622 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
36623 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
36624 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
36625 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
36626 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
36627 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
36628 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
36629 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
36630 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
36631 and its type, or device. -->
36632 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
36633 start CDATA #REQUIRED
36634 length CDATA #REQUIRED
36635 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
36636 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
36637 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
36638 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
36639 @end smallexample
36640
36641 @node Thread List Format
36642 @section Thread List Format
36643 @cindex thread list format
36644
36645 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
36646 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
36647 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
36648 the following structure:
36649
36650 @smallexample
36651 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36652 <threads>
36653 <thread id="id" core="0">
36654 ... description ...
36655 </thread>
36656 </threads>
36657 @end smallexample
36658
36659 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
36660 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
36661 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
36662 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
36663 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
36664
36665 @node Traceframe Info Format
36666 @section Traceframe Info Format
36667 @cindex traceframe info format
36668
36669 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
36670 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
36671 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
36672 collected in a traceframe.
36673
36674 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36675 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
36676
36677 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36678 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
36679
36680 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
36681
36682 @smallexample
36683 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36684 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
36685 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
36686 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
36687 <traceframe-info>
36688 block...
36689 </traceframe-info>
36690 @end smallexample
36691
36692 Each traceframe block can be either:
36693
36694 @itemize
36695
36696 @item
36697 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
36698 @var{length} bytes from there:
36699
36700 @smallexample
36701 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
36702 @end smallexample
36703
36704 @end itemize
36705
36706 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
36707
36708 @smallexample
36709 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
36710 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
36711
36712 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
36713 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
36714 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
36715 @end smallexample
36716
36717 @include agentexpr.texi
36718
36719 @node Target Descriptions
36720 @appendix Target Descriptions
36721 @cindex target descriptions
36722
36723 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
36724 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
36725 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
36726 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
36727 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
36728 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
36729 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
36730
36731 @itemize @bullet
36732 @item
36733 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
36734 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
36735 @item
36736 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
36737 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
36738 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
36739 @item
36740 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
36741 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
36742 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
36743 @end itemize
36744
36745 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
36746 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
36747 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
36748 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
36749 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
36750
36751 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36752 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
36753
36754 @menu
36755 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
36756 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
36757 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
36758 descriptions.
36759 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
36760 @end menu
36761
36762 @node Retrieving Descriptions
36763 @section Retrieving Descriptions
36764
36765 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
36766 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
36767 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
36768 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
36769 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
36770 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
36771 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
36772 Format}.
36773
36774 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
36775 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
36776 specify a file are:
36777
36778 @table @code
36779 @cindex set tdesc filename
36780 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
36781 Read the target description from @var{path}.
36782
36783 @cindex unset tdesc filename
36784 @item unset tdesc filename
36785 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
36786 will use the description supplied by the current target.
36787
36788 @cindex show tdesc filename
36789 @item show tdesc filename
36790 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
36791 @end table
36792
36793
36794 @node Target Description Format
36795 @section Target Description Format
36796 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
36797
36798 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
36799 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
36800 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
36801 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
36802 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
36803 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
36804 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
36805
36806 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
36807 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
36808 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
36809 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
36810 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
36811
36812 Here is a simple target description:
36813
36814 @smallexample
36815 <target version="1.0">
36816 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
36817 </target>
36818 @end smallexample
36819
36820 @noindent
36821 This minimal description only says that the target uses
36822 the x86-64 architecture.
36823
36824 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
36825 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
36826 are explained further below.
36827
36828 @smallexample
36829 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36830 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
36831 <target version="1.0">
36832 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
36833 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
36834 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
36835 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
36836 </target>
36837 @end smallexample
36838
36839 @noindent
36840 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
36841 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
36842 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
36843 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
36844 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
36845 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
36846 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
36847 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
36848 the version mismatch.
36849
36850 @subsection Inclusion
36851 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
36852 @cindex XInclude
36853 @ifnotinfo
36854 @cindex <xi:include>
36855 @end ifnotinfo
36856
36857 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
36858 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
36859 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
36860 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
36861 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
36862
36863 @smallexample
36864 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
36865 @end smallexample
36866
36867 @noindent
36868 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
36869 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
36870 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
36871 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
36872 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
36873 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
36874 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
36875 original description.
36876
36877 @subsection Architecture
36878 @cindex <architecture>
36879
36880 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
36881
36882 @smallexample
36883 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
36884 @end smallexample
36885
36886 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
36887 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
36888
36889 @subsection OS ABI
36890 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
36891
36892 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
36893 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
36894
36895 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
36896
36897 @smallexample
36898 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
36899 @end smallexample
36900
36901 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
36902 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
36903
36904 @subsection Compatible Architecture
36905 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
36906
36907 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
36908 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
36909
36910 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
36911
36912 @smallexample
36913 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
36914 @end smallexample
36915
36916 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
36917 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
36918
36919 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
36920 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
36921 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
36922 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
36923 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
36924 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
36925 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
36926
36927 @smallexample
36928 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
36929 <compatible>spu</compatible>
36930 @end smallexample
36931
36932 @subsection Features
36933 @cindex <feature>
36934
36935 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
36936 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
36937 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
36938 has this form:
36939
36940 @smallexample
36941 <feature name="@var{name}">
36942 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
36943 @var{reg}@dots{}
36944 </feature>
36945 @end smallexample
36946
36947 @noindent
36948 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
36949 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
36950 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
36951 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
36952
36953 @subsection Types
36954
36955 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
36956 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
36957 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
36958 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
36959 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
36960
36961 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
36962 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
36963 Types must be defined before they are used.
36964
36965 @cindex <vector>
36966 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
36967 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
36968 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
36969 @var{count}:
36970
36971 @smallexample
36972 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
36973 @end smallexample
36974
36975 @cindex <union>
36976 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
36977 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
36978 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
36979 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
36980
36981 @smallexample
36982 <union id="@var{id}">
36983 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
36984 @dots{}
36985 </union>
36986 @end smallexample
36987
36988 @cindex <struct>
36989 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
36990 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
36991 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
36992 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
36993 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
36994 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
36995 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
36996 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
36997
36998 @smallexample
36999 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
37000 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
37001 @dots{}
37002 </struct>
37003 @end smallexample
37004
37005 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
37006 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
37007
37008 @smallexample
37009 <struct id="@var{id}">
37010 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
37011 @dots{}
37012 </struct>
37013 @end smallexample
37014
37015 @cindex <flags>
37016 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
37017 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
37018 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
37019 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
37020 are supported.
37021
37022 @smallexample
37023 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
37024 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
37025 @dots{}
37026 </flags>
37027 @end smallexample
37028
37029 @subsection Registers
37030 @cindex <reg>
37031
37032 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
37033
37034 @smallexample
37035 <reg name="@var{name}"
37036 bitsize="@var{size}"
37037 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
37038 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
37039 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
37040 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
37041 @end smallexample
37042
37043 @noindent
37044 The components are as follows:
37045
37046 @table @var
37047
37048 @item name
37049 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
37050
37051 @item bitsize
37052 The register's size, in bits.
37053
37054 @item regnum
37055 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
37056 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
37057 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
37058 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
37059 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
37060 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
37061 in order of increasing register number.
37062
37063 @item save-restore
37064 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
37065 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
37066 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
37067 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
37068 ABI.
37069
37070 @item type
37071 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
37072 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
37073 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
37074 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
37075 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
37076 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
37077
37078 @item group
37079 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
37080 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
37081 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
37082 in @code{info registers}.
37083
37084 @end table
37085
37086 @node Predefined Target Types
37087 @section Predefined Target Types
37088 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
37089
37090 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
37091 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
37092 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
37093 types. The currently supported types are:
37094
37095 @table @code
37096
37097 @item int8
37098 @itemx int16
37099 @itemx int32
37100 @itemx int64
37101 @itemx int128
37102 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
37103
37104 @item uint8
37105 @itemx uint16
37106 @itemx uint32
37107 @itemx uint64
37108 @itemx uint128
37109 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
37110
37111 @item code_ptr
37112 @itemx data_ptr
37113 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
37114 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
37115 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
37116 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
37117 may be marked as data pointers.
37118
37119 @item ieee_single
37120 Single precision IEEE floating point.
37121
37122 @item ieee_double
37123 Double precision IEEE floating point.
37124
37125 @item arm_fpa_ext
37126 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
37127
37128 @item i387_ext
37129 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
37130
37131 @item i386_eflags
37132 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
37133
37134 @item i386_mxcsr
37135 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
37136
37137 @end table
37138
37139 @node Standard Target Features
37140 @section Standard Target Features
37141 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
37142
37143 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
37144 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
37145 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
37146 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
37147 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
37148 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
37149 can recognize them.
37150
37151 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
37152 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
37153 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
37154 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
37155 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
37156 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
37157 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
37158 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
37159
37160 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
37161 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
37162 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
37163
37164 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
37165 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
37166 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
37167 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
37168
37169 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
37170 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
37171 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
37172
37173 @menu
37174 * ARM Features::
37175 * i386 Features::
37176 * MIPS Features::
37177 * M68K Features::
37178 * PowerPC Features::
37179 * TIC6x Features::
37180 @end menu
37181
37182
37183 @node ARM Features
37184 @subsection ARM Features
37185 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
37186
37187 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
37188 ARM targets.
37189 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
37190 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
37191
37192 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
37193 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
37194 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
37195 and @samp{xpsr}.
37196
37197 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
37198 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
37199
37200 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
37201 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
37202 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
37203 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
37204
37205 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
37206 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
37207 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
37208 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
37209 halves of the double-precision registers.
37210
37211 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
37212 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
37213 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
37214 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
37215 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
37216 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
37217
37218 @node i386 Features
37219 @subsection i386 Features
37220 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
37221
37222 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
37223 targets. It should describe the following registers:
37224
37225 @itemize @minus
37226 @item
37227 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
37228 @item
37229 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
37230 @item
37231 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
37232 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
37233 @item
37234 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
37235 @item
37236 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
37237 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
37238 @end itemize
37239
37240 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
37241
37242 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
37243 describe registers:
37244
37245 @itemize @minus
37246 @item
37247 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
37248 @item
37249 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
37250 @item
37251 @samp{mxcsr}
37252 @end itemize
37253
37254 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
37255 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
37256 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
37257
37258 @itemize @minus
37259 @item
37260 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
37261 @item
37262 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
37263 @end itemize
37264
37265 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
37266 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
37267
37268 @node MIPS Features
37269 @subsection MIPS Features
37270 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
37271
37272 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
37273 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
37274 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
37275 on the target.
37276
37277 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
37278 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
37279 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
37280
37281 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
37282 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
37283 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
37284 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
37285
37286 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
37287 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
37288 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
37289
37290 @node M68K Features
37291 @subsection M68K Features
37292 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
37293
37294 @table @code
37295 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
37296 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
37297 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
37298 One of those features must be always present.
37299 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
37300 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
37301 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
37302 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
37303
37304 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
37305 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
37306 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
37307 @samp{fpiaddr}.
37308 @end table
37309
37310 @node PowerPC Features
37311 @subsection PowerPC Features
37312 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
37313
37314 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
37315 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
37316 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
37317 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
37318
37319 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
37320 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
37321
37322 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
37323 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
37324 and @samp{vrsave}.
37325
37326 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
37327 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
37328 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
37329 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
37330 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
37331 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
37332
37333 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
37334 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
37335 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
37336 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
37337 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
37338 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
37339 user.
37340
37341 @node TIC6x Features
37342 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
37343 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
37344 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
37345 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
37346 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
37347 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
37348
37349 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
37350 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
37351 through @samp{B31}.
37352
37353 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
37354 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
37355
37356 @node Operating System Information
37357 @appendix Operating System Information
37358 @cindex operating system information
37359
37360 @menu
37361 * Process list::
37362 @end menu
37363
37364 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
37365 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
37366 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
37367 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
37368 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
37369 on a different aspect of target.
37370
37371 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
37372 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
37373 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
37374 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
37375
37376 @node Process list
37377 @appendixsection Process list
37378 @cindex operating system information, process list
37379
37380 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
37381 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
37382 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
37383 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
37384
37385 An example document is:
37386
37387 @smallexample
37388 <?xml version="1.0"?>
37389 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
37390 <osdata type="processes">
37391 <item>
37392 <column name="pid">1</column>
37393 <column name="user">root</column>
37394 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
37395 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
37396 </item>
37397 </osdata>
37398 @end smallexample
37399
37400 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
37401 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
37402 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
37403 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
37404 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
37405 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
37406 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
37407
37408 @node Trace File Format
37409 @appendix Trace File Format
37410 @cindex trace file format
37411
37412 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
37413 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
37414
37415 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
37416 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
37417 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
37418 in the future.
37419
37420 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
37421 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
37422 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
37423 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
37424 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
37425 of this section.
37426
37427 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
37428
37429 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
37430 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
37431 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
37432 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
37433 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
37434 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
37435 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
37436 endianness.
37437
37438 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
37439
37440 @table @code
37441 @item R @var{bytes}
37442 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
37443 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
37444 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
37445 hexadecimal encoding.
37446
37447 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
37448 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
37449 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
37450 @var{length} bytes.
37451
37452 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
37453 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
37454 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
37455
37456 @end table
37457
37458 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
37459 of blocks.
37460
37461 @node Index Section Format
37462 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
37463 @cindex .gdb_index section format
37464 @cindex index section format
37465
37466 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
37467 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
37468 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
37469 description.
37470
37471 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
37472 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
37473 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
37474 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
37475 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
37476 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
37477
37478 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
37479
37480 @enumerate
37481 @item
37482 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
37483 unless otherwise noted:
37484
37485 @enumerate
37486 @item
37487 The version number, currently 5. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
37488 Version 4 differs by its hashing function.
37489
37490 @item
37491 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
37492
37493 @item
37494 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
37495 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
37496 to the next offset.
37497
37498 @item
37499 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
37500
37501 @item
37502 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
37503
37504 @item
37505 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
37506 @end enumerate
37507
37508 @item
37509 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
37510 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
37511 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
37512 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
37513 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
37514 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
37515 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
37516 CU indices.
37517
37518 @item
37519 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
37520 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
37521 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
37522 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
37523
37524 @item
37525 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
37526 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
37527
37528 @enumerate
37529 @item
37530 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
37531
37532 @item
37533 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
37534 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
37535
37536 @item
37537 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
37538 @end enumerate
37539
37540 @item
37541 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
37542 the hash table is always a power of 2.
37543
37544 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
37545 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
37546 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
37547 constant pool.
37548
37549 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
37550 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
37551 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
37552
37553 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
37554 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
37555 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
37556 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
37557 index version:
37558
37559 @table @asis
37560 @item Version 4
37561 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
37562
37563 @item Version 5
37564 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
37565 @end table
37566
37567 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
37568
37569 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
37570 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
37571 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
37572 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
37573 collision.
37574
37575 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
37576 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
37577 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
37578 the code.
37579
37580 @item
37581 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
37582 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
37583 strings.
37584
37585 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
37586 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
37587 Each subsequent value is the index of a CU in the CU list. This
37588 element in the hash table is used to indicate which CUs define the
37589 symbol.
37590
37591 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
37592 @end enumerate
37593
37594 @include gpl.texi
37595
37596 @node GNU Free Documentation License
37597 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
37598 @include fdl.texi
37599
37600 @node Index
37601 @unnumbered Index
37602
37603 @printindex cp
37604
37605 @tex
37606 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
37607 % meantime:
37608 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
37609 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
37610 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
37611 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
37612 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
37613 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
37614 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
37615 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
37616 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
37617 \page\colophon
37618 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
37619 @end tex
37620
37621 @bye
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